THE KINGDOM OF GOD - OBJECT OF OUR LORD'S RETURN
Jesus was born in to the world as a man in order that he might sacrifice his human life for the sins of the people and thus redeem them from death. It was for this purpose that he gave his flesh, his humanity, for the life of the world.- John 6:51
The work of the Lord in the earth since Jesus' death and resurrection has not been the restoring of the people to health and life on the earth (though this was provided by his death and resurrection) but the selection from mankind of those willing to suffer and die with him, that they might live and reign with him. This company of people is described in the Bible as a "people for his name." -Acts 15:14
However, the Scriptures assure us that, as a result of the redeeming work of Christ, mankind will be restored to life on the earth. Christ returns to earth to accomplish this great work during what the Bible describes as "times of restitution of all things." The Bible inform us that the "times of restitution" have been foretold by all God's holy prophets.- Acts 3:19-21
Isaiah was one of God's holy prophets, and he foretold a day when the people would not say they were sick. (Isaiah 33:24) Isaiah also forecast that blind eyes would be opened, and that deaf ears would be unstopped, and that those redeemed by Jesus- "the ransomed of the Lord"- would return from death. (Isaiah 35:5,10) In another forecast of the "times of restitution" Isaiah wrote that God would wipe away the tears of the people and that death would be destroyed.- Isaiah 25:8
Jeremiah was another of God's holy prophets, and he foretold that children who had died would be restored to life, brought back, that is, from "the land of the enemy." Jeremiah 31:15-17
The work of restoring mankind to health and life on the earth will be accomplished through the agencies of Christ's kingdom. This kingdom is symbolized in the Bible by a mountain, "the mountain of the Lord," and the Prophet Micah foretold that in this "mountain," or kingdom of the Lord, the people would learn war no more and that none would make them afraid.-Micah 4:1-4
In the Old Testament those who have died are likened to prisoners who are held captive. Their awakening from death is described as a release from their captivity. Ezekiel, another of God's holy prophets, using this terminology, foretold the restoration of the Sodomites, the Samaritans, and the Israelites. (Ezekiel 16:53) Using this same language the Prophet Jeremiah foretold the restoration of other wicked people of the past.- Jeremiah 48:47; 49:39
The Prophet Habakkuk foretold that following the return of the Lord the earth would be filled with a knowledge of the Lord. (Habakkuk 2:14) All these blessings will come to the all the peoples of the earth as a result of our Lord's return, to establish his Kingdom.
THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST
The kingdom of Christ is a very prominent topic of the Bible. It is sometimes referred to as the kingdom of God, which is appropriate, because it is God who provided for his Son to set up the kingdom in the earth. It is also sometimes referred to as the kingdom of heaven, which emphasizes that this world government of promise is not human planning and origin but is set up and empowered by the God of heaven.- Daniel 2:44
Some of the promises and prophecies of the Bible pertaining to the kingdom refer to its rulers, while others pertain to its subjects, those who have an opportunity to be blessed through the administration of its righteous laws. Jesus Christ will be the great King, or Ruler, in that kingdom.- Zechariah 9:9,10; Revelation 19:16; John 18:37
Associated with Jesus as rulers in his kingdom will be those who, during the Gospel Age (the current), have denied themselves and faithfully taken up their cross to follow him, willingly drinking of his cup of suffering. These are spoken of in the Scriptures as those who suffer and die with Jesus and as being raised from the dead to live and reign with him.- Revelation 20:4
Jesus and his followers will not rule as human kings but as divine, and they will be invisible to human eyes. (Colossians 1:13-15) The assurance is given the followers of Jesus that they shall be like him. - 1 John 3:1-3; 2 Peter 1:4
One of the illustrations the Bible gives of the change of nature from divine is being "born again." Jesus explained to Nicodemus that those who are born again are invisible and powerful, like the wind. (John 3:6-8) The birth from human to spirit nature takes place in the resurrection; and when Jesus was raised from the dead he was able to go and come invisibly, appearing to his disciples only when he wished to do so.
In the kingdom of Christ these invisible and powerful kings, or rulers, will be represented on the earth and among men by the faithful servants of God who suffered and died for righteousness' sake prior to the first advent of Jesus. These are referred to in the Bible as the "fathers," and the promise is that they are to be made "princess in all the earth." -Psalms 45:16
The Apostle Paul explains that these faithful servants of God in ancient times will be brought forth from death perfect, in what he describes as a "better resurrection." (Hebrews 11:35, 39, 40) Paul mentions the names of a few of these ancient worthies, but the Scriptures indicate that there are many others of those former ages who proved their loyalty to God and will be used in the kingdom. Jesus also referred to the ancient worthies and to their place in the kingdom. -Matthew 8:11; Luke 13:28,29
"It is through these two phases of the kingdom that the promise to Abraham is to be verified- 'In thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' 'Thy seed shall be as the sand of the sea, and as the stars of heaven'- an earthly and a heavenly seed, both God's instruments of blessing to the world.... This root-covenant [Romans 11:17] bears these two distinct kinds of branches, each of which in the resurrection will bear its own distinct kind of perfect fruitage-the human and spiritual classes in kingdom power.'
SUBJECTS OF KINGDOM BLESSED
The subjects of Christ's kingdom will be the people of the whole world, including those who have died, with the exception of those who, during the time they lived, proved worthy to be among either the spiritual or earthly rulers in the kingdom. Their blessings will consist of all the good things which properly belong to humans who desire to be in harmony with the righteous laws of their Creator. (Psalms 145:16) These blessings are fittingly referred to in one of the promises of the Bible as a "feast."- Isaiah 25:6
There are many heretofore unobtainable blessings for which the human race has yearned and struggled. One of these is peace. the people of all nations have longed for a time when there would be no more wars, and God has promised that through the agencies of Christ's kingdom peace will be established-universal and eternal peace.- Psalms 46:9, 10: Isaiah 2:3,4; 9:7
Throughout the ages there has always been a great deal of uncertainty with many concerning their economic needs. While in America Social Security has eased these tensions to some extent, the problem is far from solved on a global basis. Only Christ's kingdom will bring the real solution. Under the laws of that kingdom, equitable and happy conditions will exist for all.- Micah 4:4; Psalms 72;11-13; Isaiah 65:21,22
Another contributing cause of human unhappiness has been the wide conflict of opinion with respect to God and religion. In every age this has led to bitter hatred and persecution. In many countries today efforts are being made to solve this problem, but at best these only lead to surface agreements of unity. However, through the administration of Christ's kingdom this problem will be completely and eternally solved.
God's promises assure us that he will write his law in the hearts of the people and that all shall truly know him.- Jeremiah 31:31-34
We are also assured that the Lord will turn a pure message of truth to the people, upon the basis of which all will serve him unitedly. (Zephaniah 3:9) We are informed that then the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.- Isaiah 11:9
All these blessings, wonderful as they are, would be of no permanent value if the people continued to become ill and die; so the Scriptures assure us that the problem of sickness and death will be solved. This plague upon the human race will be destroyed.- Isaiah 33:24; 25:8, 1 Corinthians 15:25,26
The blessings of Christ's kingdom will be extended to those who are dead, for they will be awakened from the sleep of death. (Daniel 12:2); John 5:28,29) The entire dead world of mankind has been ransomed by the death of Jesus, and we are promised that the ransomed of the Lord are to return from death. (Isaiah 35:10) This will include the wicked as well as the righteous. -Acts 24:15
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