Introduction: Dan. 2:44 (This passage shows the expectation of God s kingdom. The context outlines four world powers; Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. God s kingdom was to come in the days of this Roman Empire. Many misunderstand this and teach a thousand year kingdom of Christ at the end of time. This study will show Christ s kingdom is already with us and it involves his right to rule our lives.) Jn. 18:36 (Jesus dismissed the idea that his kingdom was worldly or would be established with warfare. His kingdom is spiritual in nature.)
A. What Is The Nature Of This Kingdom:
1. Would Have A King: Ps. 110:1-2, Jer. 23:5-6 (The prophets foretold the kingdom would have Christ as its king.)
2. Would Have A Law: Jer. 31:31-33 (The prophets spoke of a coming new law that would be different from the Mosaic law.)
3. Would Have Subjects: Dan. 7:13-14 (The prophets spoke of people submitting themselves to the king s rule. Understanding the kingdom involves understanding Christ s right to rule our lives.)
4. Would Have A Territory: Isa. 2:2 (The prophets told of the whole world being the territory of this new kingdom. That is to say, people of all nations can be a part of this.)
B. When Will It Be Established:
1. In The Last Days: Isa. 2:2-3 (The prophet said this kingdom would be established in the last days. We noted earlier Daniel said it would come in the days of the Roman Empire.)
2. These Are The Last Days: Heb. 1:1-2 (The Hebrew writer spoke of the first century as "these last days". That time was the last days of the Jewish system.) Acts 2:16-17 (Peter described the events on Pentecost as fulfilling a prophesy that pertained to the last days. This doesn t speak of the end of time, but the end of the Mosaic system.)
C. So The Kingdom Has Been Established:
1. Christ Said So: Mk. 9:1 (Christ spoke of his kingdom as something that would come in their life time.)
2. Paul Was In It: Col. 1:13-14 (Paul regarding his deliverance and cleansing from sin and his admission into the kingdom as a simultaneous event.)
3. Christ s Right To Rule: Lk. 6:46 (Calling Jesus Lord and King means he has the right to rule our lives. Since he has a kingdom, he has the kingly right to rule.)
D. The Nature Realized:
1. Christ Is King: Acts 2:36, Acts 17:7 (Though his kingship was not in opposition to Caesar, Christ was announced to be Lord and King by the early church.)
2. New Covenant Is The Law: Heb. 8:6-13 (Christ speaks of the new law as being realized in the establishment of Christ s new covenant.)
3. Christians Are Subjects: Eph. 5:24 (We as disciples submit ourselves to the kingdom rule of Christ.)
4. World Is The Territory: Acts 2:39, Rom. 1:16 (The early disciples were told the spiritual promises of the kingdom were for people all over the world. The scope of God s kingdom goes beyond one nation.)
Conclusion: 1 Tim. 3:15 (Christ s church is that kingdom, the house of God today. When you become a Christian you are rescued by Christ from sin. You then submit yourself to his kingdom rule. To deny Christ s kingdom today is to deny the very institution in which we find shelter from sin. To acknowledge it and be a part of it is to submit to his lordship now and forever.)
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