from thinking7.org
There is much confusion today about the Kingdom, here is a scriptural look:
Type of Government – Theocracy, the rule of God (Isaiah 9:6,7). As Isaiah 33:22 says: “For the LORD is our judge (judicial branch), the LORD is our lawgiver (legislative branch), the LORD is our king (executive branch); He will save us.”
picture by KAT
Ruler – God’s elect and choice of man: a legal descendant of the royal line of King David, Jesus the Lord (Luke 1:31-33; 1 Peter 2:4,6).
Ruling Body - Saints (holy ones). This is what the Lord is forming now. By the gospel of the Jesus Christ He is calling out from the doomed nations a people for Himself. These saved ones are called the church (a called out company) and are now training for reigning. Thus the ruling body will be in perfect harmony with the Ruler and there will be peace on earth. (Acts 15:14; Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 5:10).
Capital – Jerusalem, Israel. The Mid-East crisis will be solved. (Isaiah 2:1-4; Zechariah 14: 1-11).
Extent – Worldwide (Psalms 2:7, 8; Daniel 7:13,14).
Philosophy – The recognition of and no toleration of evil. For it is evil (sin) which defames God, destroys man and disrupts peace. Thus a war from heaven to earth (Universal War 1) is necessary first for the removal of unrepentant sinners. “And I saw heaven opened … and in righteousness He doth judge and make war” (Rev. 19:11).
First, is the judgment of God that removes the:
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Political Leader - The antichrist (Revelation 19:19,20)
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Religious Leader – The whore and the false prophet (Revelation 17; 19:20)
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Military Opposition – Revelation 17:14; 19:18,19,21
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Spiritual Source of evil (Satan) - Revelation 20:1-3
Character of Government – Justice and equity for all based on God’s righteous standards (Isaiah 11:1-5).
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Animal world tamed – the wolf and lamb living together (Isaiah 11:6-9)
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Health care plus – the inhabitant will not be sick (Isaiah 33:24 / 33:5, 6).
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Religious unity – all nations will learn of the Lord and His ways (Isaiah 2:2,3)
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No military – disarmament (Isaiah 2:4)
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Labor benefits – enjoying work (Isaiah 65: 22, 23)
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Environmental beauty – (Isaiah 32:15 / 33:21 / 35:1)
Qualifications to Enter - Born from above with the new life of the Spirit of Christ (John 3:3). It will not be like now where a new leader is elected and citizens automatically enter into being under the new regime. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived …” (1Corinthians. 6:9).
Duration – 1000 years (Revelation 20:4)
Timing – It is in the Father’s hand. The Lord is now showing mercy to the doomed nations to form the church for the future (Acts 1:6-8 / 2 Peter 3:7-9). Until the Lord descends to the air for us and then returns with us in kingdom glory, we are to be subject to the powers that be and obey their ordinances. They function in this sense as the ministers of God to punish the evildoers in this world thus giving some measure of peace and order now, (Romans 13:1-8; 1Peter 2:13-15). Though some governments abuse their calling the powers that be are ordained of God and He will deal with them in His own way as He allows certain events to occur.
The church does not have some political manifesto to overthrow governments (John 18:36) and establish a Christian government. We are to be intercessors in prayer to God for the kings and authorities. This is so that a measure of peace for now will be granted so we can live godly and proclaim the gospel to them. (1 Timothy 2:1-6). Our hope for a utopia is in the Lord and His coming kingdom. Faith will believe and live for the unseen based on His Word. Unbelief will weary of waiting and live for the now, what it can see – earthly things.
WARNING – This coming political unity will firstly be counterfeited by Satan and his chosen man, the antichrist. He will be empowered by Satan and eventually, for a short period, bring peace to the world by miracles and deceit. (Revelation 13) But “by peace shall destroy many” (Daniel 8:25). Once the world’s confidence is in him and arms are laid down, he will show his true colors and as a beast begin to devour and crush all opposition. Then the judgment of God appears and shakes the very foundations of this world, environmentally and militarily bringing its present system to an end along with its citizens (Revelation 16-19).
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Lasting Peace, Joy and Prosperity – (Isaiah 9:6, 7 / Isaiah 65:18-21)
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Disobedient national citizens - Matthew 25:31-46
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