The Kingdom of God As Scripture’s Central Theme: A New Approach to Biblical Theology, Part 2
The kingship of God becomes the basis for worship in the Psalms (Ps. 47). The approach to God’s throne is filled with instrument, dance, song, shouting, and clapping (Ps. 47:1; 81:1-2; 150). Praise is a noisy affair. Yet upon reaching the holy throne one bows down humbly in worship (Ps. 5:7; 95:6).
The Kingdom of God in the Prophets
Although Israel eventually went into captivity because of her unfaithfulness to God and his covenant, the prophets of Israel looked forward to the day in which God’s Kingdom would come in its fullness and Israel would be restored once again. From the line of David there was to emerge a messianic king who would rule over Israel and all the earth with justice and righteousness (Isa. 9:7). On that day God’s Kingdom would no longer be obscured by the earthly kingdoms of Satan’s domain, for the Messiah would smash the ruling pagan empires and fill the earth (Dan. 2:31-35, 44). His Kingdom will never pass away. In that day Israel would return to the land and serve God with a new heart under a New Covenant (Jer. 31:8, 31-34). The salvation wrought by God would be for all nations (Isa. 52:10, 15). Together with Israel the nations would worship and serve the LORD (Isa. 2:2-4; 60:5-7).
In spite of the advancements made by the Kingdom of God under the covenants of the Old Testament, it was only present in types and shadows. It awaited the New Covenant under which the Kingdom of God would come in its fullness.
The Kingdom of God in the New Testament
The Kingdom of God and the Life of Jesus
With the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant, the Kingdom was no longer hidden in types and shadows or off in the distant future. The Kingdom was now present. The gospels view the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies that speak of the coming Messiah who would usher in the Kingdom of God on earth. Over that Kingdom he would rule forever (Mt. 1:1; 2:1, 5-6; Luke 1:32-33). His genealogy proved him to be the legitimate heir to the throne of David (Mt. 1:10).
John the Baptist heralded the coming of the Kingdom in the person of the Messiah. The prophet Malachi foretold of one who would come in the spirit of Elijah to announce the coming of God’s Kingdom (Mal. 4:5). It was John the Baptist who would fulfill that role (Mt. 11:11-14; 17:10-13) and pave the way for the Messiah’s coming (Luke 11:3). His message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Mt. 3:1-2). In Hebrew thought for something to be “near” or “to come near” means that it is actually present. Thus, John announced that the Kingdom had arrived.19
Category: Biblical Studies, Spring 2001
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