The Kingdom of God As Scripture’s Central Theme: A New Approach to Biblical Theology, Part 1
Key Definitions Relating to the Kingdom
- KINGDOM: The Kingdom of God can be defined as the dynamic rule and reign of God in History whereby He works to submit all things unto Himself (I Cor. 15:24-25).
God’s Kingdom consists of at least four key elements. Understanding the relationship between these categories is essential in determining how the Kingdom of God unfolds in the pages of the Bible.
-RULER: The LORD God Almighty (II Chron. 20:6; Ps. 103;19; Dan. 4:17; Rev. 19:15). God is the ruler of his Kingdom. There is no other. Without him there would be no Kingdom.
-RULED: The Subjects of the Kingdom. Includes all Creation, but specifically all who submit to Him (Ps. 1:1-2; Ps. 89:30-33; Rom. 10:3; James 1:22-25; 2:8, 12; 4:7-8, 11).
-RULE: The Law of God. God administers his rule through a covenant relationship with his people. God’s rule is a covenant rule (Ps. 19:7-8; Mt. 5:17; Rom. 8:1-9; Gal. 6:2; James 1:25). The concept of covenant will be discussed below.
-REALM: The domain of God’s Kingdom. In the present age God rules by right (dejure—by right) over all creation (Ps. 103:19; Col. 1:16-20), but His rule is only actualized (defacto—by fact) wherever His reign is recognized and accepted (Mt. 5:3; Luke 17:20-21). At the New Creation God’s rule over all his creation will be totally realized and accomplished, for all things will have been brought under his submission (Phil. 2: 9-11; I Cor. 15:24-2-29).
- COVENANT: Covenant is the loving, holy, and just relationship that God makes with those in his Kingdom. It is means by which the kingdom rule of God is implemented. The historical covenants of Scripture are advancements in the coming of the Kingdom of God to earth.
The Concept of Kingdom in Scripture
- The purpose of God in history is to establish His Kingdom and thereby bring glory to Himself (I Cor. 15:24-28).
From the beginning of this present world until the present God’s purpose has not changed, and it never will. His purpose has always been to establish his kingdom among men in such a manner that would bring glory to his name. God’s purpose in this respect has never been thwarted nor has God ever been diverted from this purpose. He will work until all things are submitted unto him and his kingdom reigns over all.
Even before the fall of man into sin in the Garden of Eden, God was working to make his Kingdom more evident. This can be seen in the progress of creation culminating in the making of man in God’s own image. God created man to rule over, to care for, and to work with creation in order that the glory of God inherent within it might be brought out more clearly. Man’s purpose on earth was to be reflective of God’s rule over all creation. The serpent’s purpose was to do all he could to steal what was God’s and to attempt to make it his own. He desired to make God’s kingdom his kingdom. When the first couple was deceived by him, he thought he had succeeded. Little did the serpent realize that the sin of Adam and Eve did not crush the purpose of God, but rather it served to accomplish God’s purpose of establishing his kingdom, for in the midst of God’s covenant curse upon the parties involved a promise of redemption was given. Through the seed of the woman there would come a deliverer who would crush the head of the serpent and deliver a crushing blow to all his progeny (Gen. 3:15). The rest of history is an account of the battle between the two kingdoms, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan. However, in his sovereignty God has already predetermined the conclusion of the battle. God and his Kingdom will be victorious. There is no other option. Satan as a created being is under the authority and power of God. His kingdom can only have apparent temporary success and only as it is granted by the Creator. Ultimately his kingdom is doomed to failure and eternal judgment, and in fact, under Jesus it has already been dealt the decisive blow. Until its final day comes, God, because of his great mercy and his desire for all men to come to repentance, allows the battle to continue.
Category: Biblical Studies, Winter 2001