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The Rule of God. Key Elements. The Kingdom is the central theme of Jesus' preaching and teaching
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Key Elements • The Kingdom is the central theme of Jesus' preaching and teaching • "Rule of God" is more appropriate for us. The primary notion is not place nor people ruled, but God's exercise of his royal power. "Rule" is capable of functioning both as a noun or verb and it is clear that the kingdom has a verbal, active quality.
No distinction should be made between kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven. Matthew uses "heaven" as a circumlocution for "God." Why might Matthew do this? • The reign of God is both present and future.
The Story • Must see the kingdom as part of Israel's story. Kingdom had nothing to do with a place you go when you die; it had everything to do with Israel's God becoming king. • Israelites felt themselves the true people of the one true God based on God's covenant with them (See Gen 12 & 15). • BUT, Israel had lived under the rule of a pagan emperor as part of a pagan empire for most of her existence. • Therefore, God must vindicate his people in God's time. This brings eschatology into the mix.
When Israel's God showed himself to be king fully, the whole world would be made right. • This is a revolutionary twist to the story. All other "kings" would be demoted. NO KING BUT GOD! • That God is doing this now in Jesus is THE Good News (εὐαγγέλιον). THE KING HAS ARRIVED! • This is the climax of Israel's story, and ours.
Adam & Eve Christ kingdom present Isa 61 This Present Evil Age (Gal 1:4) Jesus Creation Israel Fall Church *See Oscar Cullman, Christ and Time; Werner Kummel, Promise and Fulfillment
Kingdom Present • Mark 1:14-15 • Matt 12:28 • Luke 17:20-21
Kingdom Future • Mark 14:25 • Matt 6:10 • Matt 22:1-14
Mark 1:14-15 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Matthew 12:28 But if I [Jesus] cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Luke 17:20-21 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst."
Mark 14:25 Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Matthew 6:10 Pray, then, in this way: "Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
Matthew 22:1-14 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son . . .
A Rival Kingdom to Rome? • Since Providence, which has ordained our life by harnessing her energy and liberality, has brought to life the most perfect good, Augustus, whom she filled with virtue for the benefit of mankind, giving him, as it were, to us and our descendants a savior, in order that he might make war to cease and order peace, and since he, Caesar, by his epiphany surpassed the hopes of all those who anticipated good news (εὐαγγέλιον), not only surpassing all previous benefactors, but also leaving no hope for the future of anyone surpassing what he has done, and since the birthday of the god [Augustus] initiated to the world the good news (εὐαγγέλιον) that came by reason of him . . . and since Paullus Fabius Maximus [governor of Asia] has invented an honor for Augustus that until now has been unknown to the Greeks – to begin time from his birthday – for that reason, with good fortune and safety [σωτηρία], the Greeks of Asia have decided that the New Year in all the cities should begin on 23rd September, the birthday of Augustus . . . and that the letter of the governor and the decree of Asia should be inscribed on a pillar of white marble.