Right.
Let me summarize and maybe we are more closer in agreement than I previously thought.
That would be refreshing.
You have made the point that the nation of Israel gets the kingdom when the old covenant, which is conditional, is given through Moses.
The inheritance as heirs. Yes.
The kingdom is “set up” in Daniel 2:44 but this is not necessarily referring to when it started.
This is a new expression of God's sovereignty - rulership.
It's establishment began with the installation of its kings - the Messiah and the Saints. That happened - not in the first century, but during the end times world power - the feet of the image.
Do we agree on this also?
The kingdom is taken from national Israel and given to spiritual Israel (true believers) when the new covenant came, and the new covenant is unconditional.
Let me just say, the kingdom is taken from national Israel and given to "a people producing its fruits". So, it is conditional. Only, in this case, God does the selecting, so no lazy slaves are a part of the covenant.
Consider Judas. He was a part of the twelve, but was destroyed, replaced. God did the choosing, and continues to do so. Acts 2:1-4; Acts 10:44
Jesus made the covenant with those of the firstfruits - Luke 22:28-30
I’m good with all this, and I’m also good with your post.
Ah.
Glad to hear.
To be honest I hadn’t previously looked closely at when the kingdom was started but I do agree with you that it started during the exodus.
Good effort. I like the fact that you made the effort.
The kingdom did not start during the Exodus. The kingdom started before Adam existed.
Revelation 4:11
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
As creator, God is sovereign of the universe. His kingdom is everlasting.
God arranged for a new expression of his sovereignty right after Adam sold out, and the human race lost paradise. Genesis 3:15
The covenant made with Abraham is tied up in that arrangement. So that the nation of Israel, became God's chosen people - not because they were good people, but because it was through Abraham's seed, the prophetic promise would be fulfilled. Genesis 3:15, Genesis 18:18; Deuteronomy 9:6; Galatians 3:7-0, 15-18, 26-29;
I assume you know all of this, so I did not quote scriptures. Although I still should. I'll edit it later.
Hence Israel became inheritors of the kingdom, on that day in Sinai.
This should help.
Notice that
God begins to rule
Revelation 11:1
saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because
you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
Yet,
God was ruling before.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28
Then
comes the end, when
He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy
that will be destroyed
is death. For
“He [God] has put all things under His [Christ] feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him,
then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
That's simple, isn't it.
To emphasize the main points:
- The kingdom of God is an expression of God's sovereignty - his rulership.
- That existed from the beginning of creation - recognized by the heavenly host.
- The kingdom of God, that would be given to the Messiah, is a new expression of God's sovereignty, which would be inherited by persons (covenanted) - the first of which was the nation of Israel. Their rejection of the Messiah disqualified them. The Israel of God becomes the new inheritors - those who bear fruit.
- That kingdom was set up when Christ was installed as king.
- That kingdom, which is an expression of God's sovereignty, is given - returned to him after it accomplishes his will, and God retains his right as sovereign.
I hope I did not confuse you.