To Ancient SDA's ....... Back to "What's New?" top
The Kingdoms of God
Grace and Glory
An Impending Kingdom
Just as the King of Grace is both human and divine, so is His kingdom. Just as He who called Himself the Son of man as well as the Son of God must be seen on two levels, so must His kingdom of grace.
And so it is written,
"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 and saying, Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand". Matthew 3:1-2.
"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear…" Hebrews 12:28.
This announcement was also being made by the disciples in the name of the Lord and was in every particular correct, because the events to which it pointed were even then taking place. "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand," had been their message. At the expiration of "the time" - the sixty-nine weeks of Daniel 9, which were to extend to the Messiah, "the Anointed One" - Christ had received the anointing of the Spirit after His baptism by John in Jordan. And the "kingdom of God" which they had declared to be at hand was to be established by the death of Christ.
Not of this world
This kingdom was not, as they had been taught to believe, an earthly empire, as Jesus explained at one of His trials.
John 18:36
"Jesus answered [Pilate], My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from here".
Nor was it that future, immortal kingdom which shall be set up when "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;" that everlasting kingdom, in which "all dominions shall serve and obey Him." Daniel 7:27. As used in the Bible, the expression "kingdom of God" is employed to designate both the kingdom of grace and also the kingdom of glory.
The kingdom of grace is brought to view by Paul in the Epistle to the Hebrews. After pointing to Christ, the compassionate intercessor who is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," the apostle says: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace." Hebrews 4:15, 16. The throne of grace represents the kingdom of grace; for the existence of a throne implies the existence of a kingdom. In many of His parables Christ uses the expression "the kingdom of heaven" to designate the work of divine grace upon the hearts of men.
An everlasting kingdom
Yet the kingdom of grace was actually instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race. It then existed in the purpose and by the promise of God; and through faith, men and women could become its subjects. Despite this, it was not actually established until the death of Christ at Calvary. Even after entering upon His earthly mission, the Saviour, wearied with the stubbornness and ingratitude of men, might have drawn back from the crucifixion for the choice was His alone. In Gethsemane the cup of woe trembled in His hand. He might even then have wiped the blood-sweat from His brow and have left the guilty race to perish in their iniquity. Luke 22:44. Had He done this, there could have been no redemption for fallen men. But when the Saviour yielded up His life on the cross, and with His expiring breath cried out, "It is finished," then the fulfillment of the plan of redemption was assured. The promise of salvation made to the sinful pair in Eden was ratified. The kingdom of grace, which had before existed by the promise of God, was then established in the eyes of men. This occurred because as it is written, "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today, and for ever" and He must behave in exactly the same manner in both instances. Hebrews 13:8.
The explanation
The kingdom of grace which was set up "immediately after the fall of man" was a product of His divinity. It was established on the death of Him who was "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world". Revelation 13:8. It came into existence as the "everlasting gospel" with a present and future section when the divine King of grace gave a portion of His divine life to save Adam. It continued as He gave another portion to save Eve. From that moment on it has continued as men and women have become His subjects by an exchange of hearts. It could not be seen by the physical eyes of men but subsisted "by the purpose and promise of God". It existed, as certain as the fact that God exists, and was entered into by those who were converted, but was not available for other men or women to see or touch at that time. None of His subjects could even prove its existence to another in their own lives for it is a sad fact that, "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" even after becoming Christians. Romans 3:23.
Jesus came to change that
"Wherefore when He [Jesus] came into the world, He said, Sacrifice and offering You would not, but a body have You prepared Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of Me,) to do Your will, O God". Hebrews 10:5-7.
After Jesus the Christ was baptised in the year 27AD the King could be seen and touched, and the kingdom therefore became a physical reality in men's eyes. He was the only One who could say with sincerity, "Which of you convicts [accuses] Me of sin?" and His followers, as well as many of His rejecters, recognized this. John 8.46 NKJ.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have [now] heard, which we have [now] seen with our eyes, which we have [now] looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ". 1 John 1:1-3.
Present and Future
During the period from the Garden of Eden until Calvary, men and women entered into it "by faith" in God's word of a present and future event. They could not see the evidence of it in any other man or woman upon this earth, for not even Enoch or Elijah could point to a sinless life since their conversion. On the contrary, it is written,
"Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are…" James 5:17.
But once it had happened in their own lives their faith expanded into knowledge. John wrote in one of his letters to the church,
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death". 1 John 3:14.
However, it was "ratified" (legalised, validated, certified, upheld, made certain) when Christ died on the cross, and after His resurrection His disciples went about the world telling this glorious truth about their King. They did not, and could not, point to themselves as evidence of this fact, but they could and did, lift up Jesus in the eyes of men. Even if they had at that time been sinless, their enemies could unfortunately have investigated their past Christian lives and would soon have found past public evidences of sin. But this could not be done in the life of the King. The disciples preached,
"Saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein, 16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness [even in those times], in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness". Acts 14.15-17.
His death at Calvary
In His death at Calvary we have the reality of His human experience. From the time of His baptism until His death He might have drawn back, and if He had done so then He would have proved God's word from the past invalid. Had He done this, there could have been no redemption for fallen men. However, it was because He would not, that the word of God was ratified, or established. He proved, conclusively, and without a doubt, in the eyes of the entire universe, that His divine character was the same as His human one. He must die both physically and spiritually to save a helpless and guilty race. Thus His humanity and divinity complemented each other.
By His action at Calvary He showed that His divinity has been "dying" (that is, going through an experience which equates to our experience of crucifixion) for 4,000 years!! A slow, agonising "death". The Son of God cannot "die" as creatures do, of course, but He can be separated from His Father, and if this separation is eternal then He might just as well be "dead". When He cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me", He was recognising more than just a passing moment. Matthew 27:46. Although He is now resurrected and in the presence of His Father, the former union between them has been forever split. Now He bears human form with its liabilities, and stands at the head of the human race as our King. This what His sacrifice really means!
Deuteronomy 31:30; 32:1-4
"And Moses spoke in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended. Give ear, O you heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: because I will publish the name of the LORD. Ascribe you greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He".
The Proof
When Jesus appeared to His disciples after the resurrection He showed them the tokens of His "death" which He will forever bear, the marks in His hands and feet. Thus it is written,
Luke 24:37-40
"But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, Why are you troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see Me have. And when He had thus spoken, He showed them His hands and His feet [in His resurrected body]".
Past and Present
After that short time of physical evidence of the kingdom, from 27AD to 31AD men and women again entered into it "by faith", but from this time onward it was "by faith" in a past event as well as a present one. Now, that which was formerly invisible and seen only by the spiritual eye, could also be seen by the physical eye! Both aspects of the King and His kingdom now existed in the eyes of men and women. Now it could be written,
"Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen". 1 Timothy 1:17.
"For the invisible things of Him [which were available] from the creation of the world are [now] clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they [the rejecters of God's mercy] are without excuse…" Romans 1:20.
Paul also wrote, "Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead…" Romans 1:3-4.
The Heavenly "country"
Like all the other Christians who lived before the event at Calvary, Moses had seen the kingdom of grace from a distance and had waited for its physical manifestation. It is written of them,
"But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He has prepared for them a city [the capital of their kingdom]". Hebrews 11:16.
"By faith he [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them". Hebrews 11:27-28.
"And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise, 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which [sadly] does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…" Hebrews 11:39 to 12:1.
Thus the death of Christ - the very event which the disciples had looked upon as the final destruction of their hope - was that which made it forever sure.
The Foundation
In this way the God of heaven established His word. In a way so contrary to man's way, He gave us a Foundation by which to "see" the kingdom of grace.
"Of old have You laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Your hands". Psalm 102:25.
"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tried Stone, a precious corner Stone, a sure Foundation: he that believes shall not make haste [act hastily]". Isaiah 28:16.
"For other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ". 1 Corinthians 3:11.
Thus we have what the world calls "Christianity", but which is really a continuation of the old for He was the LORD God of the Old Testament.
It was He who "made the worlds" Hebrews 1:2.
It was He of whom it is written, "[He] is the image of the invisible God…" and "by Him were all things created…". Colossians 1:15-16.
It was He who "walked in the garden in the cool of the day" with Adam. Genesis 3:8.
It was He who appeared to Abram and said, "I am the Almighty God, walk before Me and be perfect", and whom Abraham called, "the Judge of all the earth". Genesis 17:1; 18:25.
Christ in All the Bible
The power of Christ, the crucified Saviour, to give eternal life, should be presented more fully. We should show that the Old Testament is as verily the gospel in types and shadows as the New Testament is in its unfolding power. The New Testament does not present a new religion; the Old Testament does not present a religion to be superseded by the New. The New Testament is only the advancement and unfolding of the Old. Abel was a believer in Christ, and was as verily saved by His power as was Peter or Paul. Enoch was a representative of Christ as surely as was the beloved disciple John. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. To him was committed the message of the second coming of Christ. "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all." Jude 14, 15. The message preached by Enoch and his translation to heaven were a convincing argument to all who lived in his time. These things were an argument that Methuselah and Noah could use with power to show that the righteous could be translated.
That God who walked with Enoch was our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He was the light of the world then just as He is now. Those who lived then were not without teachers to instruct them in the path of life; for Noah and Enoch were "Christians" or followers of God. The gospel is given in precept [principle] in Leviticus. Implicit obedience is required now, as then. How essential it is that we understand the importance of this word!
To the Jews who had become "Christians" it was written,
"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. 25 Nor yet that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place every year with blood of others, 26 for then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world. But now once in the end of the world has He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation". Hebrews 9:24-28.
"Once in the end of the world" was as true in Paul's time as it will be at the second advent. The Jewish system Paul was referring to collapsed soon after the crucifixion and has never been re-established, just as the world's systems will pass away at Christ's coming in glory.
"Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation [conduct] received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest [made visible] in these last times for you, 21 who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God". 1 Peter 1:18-21.
A Continuing Sacrifice
We are shown plainly that His divine "death" has not yet finished, and as we know, His kingdom of grace is still being supplied with subjects. Not until the "end of the world" will His "death" be complete, as it is written,
"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts [living creatures], and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had [just] been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth". Revelation 5:6.
"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts [living creatures] and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing". Revelation 5:11-12.
So the human manifestation of the kingdom of grace is now complete, but the divine section still continues. Both of these must be clearly distinguished from the kingdom of glory.
The Kingdom of Glory
The throne of glory represents the kingdom of glory; and this kingdom is referred to in the Saviour's words: "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations." Matthew 25:31, 32. This kingdom is yet future. It is not to be set up until the second advent of Christ.
Speaking also of His kingdom of glory, Christ told His disciples,
"Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, 'Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…" Matthew 25:34.
To that we can look forward….
oooOooo