IF many Bible commentaries are to I be believed, the kingdom of God began on the day of Pentecost, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the famous “Hallelujah” chorus in Handel’s “Messiah” supports such a theology. It is placed with the first century proclamation of the gospel, not with the return of Christ and the resurrection. Is such an understanding correct?
There can be no doubt that the apostle Peter believed something special had taken place at Pentecost. He said, “These are not drunken, as ye suppose…but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh…” (Acts 2:15-17.
But is this the literal, political kingdom that will fill the whole earth and bring glory to God? It may be the start of it but is certainly not the fulfillment of God’s promises.
The Lord’s prayer
Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” Is God’s will now being done on earth as it is in heaven? Have all the wars, all the famines, all the sufferings of men come to an end during the existence of the “church.” Can any reasonable person look at the events of the 1,960 years since Pentecost and conclude that this is what God wants? Can we look at the “church” and conclude that the will of God is being done as described in the glorious Old Testament prophecies?
He came unto his own
Until Jesus reigns as king over the Jewish people, the angelic promise made to his mother will not be fulfilled. The simple statement of Luke 1:33 cuts through much theological fog: “he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Jesus has never reigned over the house of Jacob for one day, let alone forever.
Jesus did come to a people who should have been expecting him; they were anticipating the advent of their Messiah. Those who counseled Herod knew Messiah was to come. Yet, “He came unto his own and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born…of God.”
We are told, however, that the kingdom was taken from the unrepentant Jews and given to a people who wanted to know the Truth of the gospel of God’s grace. Through Jesus Christ, they would strive, through faith, to enter into the coming kingdom.
Some questions require an answer
While it is clear that the kingdom of God as a political, economic, social entity on the earth has not yet been established, there are some Bible phrases that require an explanation. The major scriptures which are presented to assert the church is the kingdom are set forth below.
Daniel’s prophecy
Daniel, chapter two, describes a vision by Nebuchadnezzar, which portrays four successive empires which would rule over the kingdom of men. The fourth (Roman) empire was in existence during the time of Jesus’ first appearing. Daniel said, “…in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Since the church came into existence during the time of Daniel’s fourth empire, can the kingdom be said also to have come into being?
The answer is found in Daniel seven which amplifies the prophecy of chapter two. In chapter seven, the fourth kingdom is seen to lead to the emergence of a religious power which lasts until the coming of Christ and the establishment of his reign with the saints. At that time the religious power will be destroyed. That religious power we know as the Roman Catholic system.
The last days
On the day of Pentecost, Peter quotes from the prophet Joel regarding the “last days” and applies the prophecy to his time. Throughout the Old Testament prophets, the “last days” is applied to the time of the kingdom of God. Isaiah said, for example, “it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it” (Isa. 2:2).
The difficulty with this interpretation is that Isaiah goes on to say, “he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation…” (v.4). Obviously, these conditions have never existed.
What did happen at Pentecost was that a great stage in the purpose of God was begun which will culminate in His kingdom being on the earth. Ever since Pentecost, those involved in this era have anticipated the return of Christ during their lifetime. Thus this period, while it has turned out to be long, has been the “last days” to every believer who has lived during this time span.
The transfiguration
In Mark 9:1, Jesus said, “…there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” Accompanied by Peter, James and John, Jesus went “into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.”
Immediately following the ascension of Jesus, his disciples wanted to know if it was time for the kingdom to begin. “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” they asked. “It is not for you to know the times and the seasons…but ye shall receive power…” Jesus told them. (Acts 1:6-8.)
In Luke 24:49, Jesus said, “…behold, I send the promise of my Father… tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be embued with power from on high.
Acts 2:33 describes how Jesus, “…having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this…” Jesus was now prepared to share the power of the Holy Spirit with those he had left behind: “…and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:1-4.)
There were indeed those who stood with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration who did not taste of death until they had received the power of the Holy Spirit. They had received it in the “last days.” From this time forward, they preached the kingdom of God, supported by the power of God in miraculous works. On this basis, some contend the church and the kingdom began at Pentecost.
A key to understanding Christ’s words is to remember that the nation of Israel was called the “church” and the “kingdom of God.”
Israel, the kingdom and church
Acts 7:38, speaking of Moses, says, “This is he, that was in the church (ekklesia) in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to him in mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received the lively oracles…” In the Greek translation of the O.T. (the LXX), the word ekklesia, or church, is used several times of Israel.
When had they become His “church?” From the moment they were called to Him as a people.
Israel was also considered the kingdom of God. As He freed them from Egyptian bondage, God told them, “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” (Exo. 19:5,6.)
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