THE KINGDOM OF GOD Biblical Hope and God s World

THE KINGDOM OF GOD Biblical Hope and God s World Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr. The Refuge Community 9259 Utica Avenue - Suite 125 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

OLD TESTAMENT EXPECTATIONS Introduction I. THE HOPE AND: A. God Created the World for: Rom 11:36: For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Rev 4:11: Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created. Psa 24:1; Gen 1:31 Isa 46:9 10: Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure. Col 1:16 20 B. God Created Man in: Gen 1:26 Gen 4:20 22 C. God Established Redemption for: Gen 3:5: For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Gen 3:15: I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel. protoevangelium Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #1: OT Expectations, p. 1

II. HOPE AND: A. God s Covenant and: Eph. 2:12: strangers to the covenants of promise. Gen 12:3; Rom 4:13 B. God s Covenant and: Gen 22:17: I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. Matt. 16:18 Gal. 6:16: the Israel of God Gal 3:29 III. HOPE AND: Isa 2:2 4 A. The Believer s Hope: Its Isa 2:2: it will come about that in the last days... 1. The last days in the: Acts 2:16 17a: This is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: it shall be in the last days... 1 Cor 10:11: Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Heb. 1:1 2a: God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son. Heb 9:26b: now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #1: OT Expectations, p. 2

2. The last days in: B. The Believer s Hope: Its: Isa 2:2 3: Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths. For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 1. Hope: Its Central Matt 24:2: Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down. Eph 2:19 22: So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16; 1 Pet 2:5 2. Hope: Its Specific: Isa 2:2: Now it will come about that In the last days... Heb. 1:1 2a: God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son. Heb 9:26b: now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Heb 8:13: When He said, A new covenant, He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. 3. Hope: Its New Testament: Isa 2:3d: the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #1: OT Expectations, p. 3

Heb 12:22: You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. 4. Hope: Its God-ordained: Isa 2:2b: In the last days The mountain of the house of the Lord will be established. Psa 93:1c; 96:10b: The world is firmly established, it will not be moved. Psa 9:7: the LORD abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment. Psa 93:2 Heb 12:28a: Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken... 5. Hope: Its God-ordained: Isa 2:2c: the chief of the mountains raised above the hills Matt 28:18 10: Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Isa 2:2b: The mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains. Matt 13:31 33: He presented another parable to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches. He spoke another parable to them, The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened. Matt 16:18 C. The Believer s Hope: Its 1. The Nations and the Influence of the: Isa 2:2: Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths. For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 2. The Nations and the Influence on the: Isa 2:2d: For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #1: OT Expectations, p. 4

hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. NEW TESTAMENT EXPECTATIONS Gen 49:10: The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Num 14:21 indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD. Psa 2:8: Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. Psa 22:27: All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations will worship before You. Psa 72:7 8: In his days may the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace till the moon is no more. May he also rule from sea to sea And from the River to the ends of the earth. Psa 110:1: The LORD says to my Lord: Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet. Isa 11:9: They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. I. THE CALLING OF: Matt 12:28 29: If I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. Matt 13:31 33: He presented another parable to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that The birds of the air come and nest in its branches.he spoke another parable to them, The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened. John 12:31 32: Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. A. Christ s Judgment of: John 12:31a: Now judgment is upon this world. 1. 2. If Christ meant condemnation in John 12:31a: John 3:17: For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #2: NT Expectations, p. 1

If Christ meant condemnation in John 12:31a: John 12:24: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:46: I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. John 12:47: If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 2 Cor 5:17: if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. If Christ meant condemnation in John 12:31a: Matt 13:33: He spoke another parable to them, The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened. If Christ meant condemnation in John 12:31a: Matt 28:18 20: Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. B. Christ s Dethronement of: John 12:23 24: The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:31b: now the ruler of this world will be cast out. Amos 3:2: You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth. Luke 4:6: the devil said to Him, I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Matt 12:28 29: But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. Luke 10:18; Col 2:15; Heb. 2:14 15; 1 John 3:8 Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #2: NT Expectations, p. 2

C. Christ s Enthronement over: John 12:32: And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself. Mark 1:15: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. Luke 11:20: But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matt 13:31 32: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that The birds of the air come and nest in its branches. John 12:32b: will draw all men to Myself John 3:17: For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. II. THE SALVATION OF: A. The Jews and Paul s: First, he defines: Rom 11:1: I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Second, he cites: Rom 11:2: Do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? Third, he contrasts: Rom 11:11: They did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Rom 11:1: I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? First, God sovereignly: Rom 11:5: In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #2: NT Expectations, p. 3

Second, God sovereignly: B. The Jews and Paul s: First question: Rom 11:1: God has not rejected His people, has He? Second question: Rom 11:11: They did not stumble so as to fall, did they? Rom 11:12: Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! Rom 11:12: Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! Rom 11:15: For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Rom 11:25b-26a: a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved... C. The Gentiles and Paul s: Rom 11:15: For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? III. THE SUBDUING OF: A. Our Resurrection as History s: 1 Cor 15:22 24a: As in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end. Upon reaching the end : 1 Cor 15:24: then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #2: NT Expectations, p. 4

B. Christ s Conquest as History s: 1 Cor 15:24: Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. (NIV) 1 Cor 15:25: he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. Heb 10:12: He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #2: NT Expectations, p. 5

PESSIMISTIC OBJECTIONS Introduction 1 Cor 15:58 Matt 28:19 John 3:17 I. OBJECTIONS THAT ARE: A. Postmillennialism is Disproved by: John F. Walvoord: One wonders how postmillennialists can read the newspaper and come up with the idea. 1. Such historical arguments involve too: 2. Such historical arguments assume a wrong: 3. Such historical arguments are a: Hal Lindsey, 1980s: Countdown to Armageddon Hal Lindsey, Planet Earth 2000: Will Mankind Survive? B. Postmillennialism s Denial of Christ s Imminent Return: 1. Imminence: Its fundamental Matt 24:48 If that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time... Matt 25:5: Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. Matt 25:19: Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Acts 1:6 7: When they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority. Matt 28:19: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #3: Pessimistic Objections, p. 1

2 Tim 3:1: Realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2. Imminence: Its biblical Matt 25:1 5: Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 3. Imminence: Its radical Is piety based on: Don t we live before: Prov 15:3; Heb 4:13 You could: Luke 12:20 We believe in: 2 Cor. 5:20 C. Postmillennial Social Concerns Rest on: John F. Walvoord: Postmillennialism lends itself to liberalism with only minor adjustments. 1. Such arguments are wrong by: 2. Such arguments are wrong: 3. Such arguments are wrong: III. OBJECTIONS THAT ARE: The Postmillennial Hope is Undermined by the: Herman Hanko: Postmillennialism fails to reckon properly with the fact of sin. 1. Which is more powerful: Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #3: Pessimistic Objections, p. 2

2. Are not fallen, depraved sinners: 3. Do not the prophets, Christ, and the Apostles point to: III. OBJECTIONS THAT ARE: A. Matt. 7:13 14 Speaks of a: 1. We must note the: Matt 8:11: I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. Psa 22:27: All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations will worship before You. Rev 7:9: After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands. John 3:17: For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 2. We must note the: Matt 5:1: When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying... Matt 7:28: When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching. Matt 5:11: Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Luke 12:32: Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 3. We must note the: Matt 9:37 38: Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. John 4:35b: Lft up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #3: Pessimistic Objections, p. 3

B. Matt 13:36 39 Teaches the Kingdom s Historical: Matt 13:24 25, 30: Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away... Allow both to grow together until the harvest. 1. The Tares Parable s: 2. The Tares Parable s: 3. The Tares Parable s: C. Luke 18:8 Teaches that Christ Will Come to an: Luke 18:8b: When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Hal Lindsey: In the original Greek this question assumes a negative answer. 1. The question: 2. The statement: Luke 18:1: Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart. D. 2 Tim 3 Teaches that: 2 Tim 3:1, 13: But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come... Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 1. Clarifying the: Heb 1:1 2: God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son. 2. Realizing the: Error of quantification Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #3: Pessimistic Objections, p. 4

3. Understanding the: 2 Tim 3:13: Evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 4. Recognizing the: 2 Tim 3:14: You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them. Conclusion Luke 2:25 Gentry, The Kingdom of God Message #3: Pessimistic Objections, p. 5