The Kingdom of Christ

Part 1

by Ken Thomas

As David made his plans to build a house (temple) for God, God promised to build a house (lineage) for David, 2 Samuel 7:12-16, 1 Chronicles 17:1-10). God promised that when David's life expired that He would raise up "David's seed" and establish his kingdom. The immediate fulfillment of this prophecy was the reign of Solomon, the son of David who led in the building of a magnificent temple. God promised that the "son of David" would have his throne established "forever." Despite the sin, division, and captivity that eventually led to the downfall of the nation of Israel, the line of David's seed continued, and the glimmer of hope for the perpetuation of David's throne continued.
Before Mary conceived Jesus she was told that she would have a son who would be called the Son of the Highest. He would receive the throne of his father (earthly ancestor) David, and of his Kingdom there would be no end ( Luke 1:31-33). (Jesus was both the physical son of Mary and the legal son of Joseph, both of whom were descendants of David ( Matthew 1, Luke 3)). They were also of Judah, the tribe which had been promised the scepter of Kingship ( Genesis 49:10).
John preached about the coming Kingdom ( Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17), and Jesus taught his disciples to pray for the kingdom to come ( Matthew 6:10). In Mark 9:1, Jesus promised that the kingdom would come during the apostles' lifetime, and Matthew 16:18-19 adds that the keys of the kingdom would be given to Peter.

The above article appeared in the Mt. Juliet Messenger on March 8, 1992.

Part 2

by Ken Thomas

After Christ's crucifixion and resurrection the apostles were curiously inquiring about the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel ( Acts 1:16) though Jesus had continued teaching them about the kingdom of God (1:3). When the day of Pentecost came, the apostles spoke to a tremendous audience by the power of God, and Peter announced that the promise of God to David was now being fulfilled: "David...a prophet...Knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne...This Jesus hath God raised up...God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" ( Acts 2:29-36).

By this message, Peter used the keys of the Kingdom of Christ to open its doors to those who would repent and be baptized. The early Christians were in the kingdom of Christ ( Colossians 1:13, Revelation 1:9), and asserted that the rule of Christ would continue until the final enemy (death) was subdued ( 1 Corinthians 15:25-26). When death is finally destroyed (at the resurrection), then Christ will deliver the kingdom over to God the Father
( 1 Corinthians 15:24-29).
It is a mistake to suppose that the coming of the kingdom of Christ is a future event. The Kingdom of Christ exists now. It is made up of those who have submitted to his rule in their lives. It will continue until the end of life on earth, and will be turned back to God, forever. If we are among the redeemed, we will be able to say, "We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art and wast, and art to come; because Thou has reigned" ( Revelation 11:17).