Study Guide
THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM : THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
4,430 words, about 22 min read
The Gospel of the Kingdom
In some schools of thought, it is believed that the church is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, up to the time of the rapture. However, after the church has been taken out, another gospel, “the gospel of the kingdom” is to be preached to those left behind. It is also believed many more souls will be saved by the preaching of this final gospel of the kingdom. According to those who teach this doctrine, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the gospel of salvation by which we enter into eternal life during this dispensation.
However, it is believed that there is another gospel, “the gospel of the kingdom,” that announces the installation of the Millennial Kingdom. It will simply announce that Christ is about to return and establish His kingdom on the earth. Supposedly many will believe in the soon to come kingdom and by some unknown method will be saved. This method is unknown due to the fact that the Holy Ghost was taken off the earth in the rapture. How these people will be saved is something of a mystery, seeing as how it takes the Spirit of God to beget a son of God. The definition below is taken from Vine’s Expository.
KINGDOM basileia ^932^ is primarily an abstract noun, denoting "sovereignty, royal power, dominion) reigneth," lit., "hath a kingdom" a concrete noun, denoting the territory or people over whom a king rules, e. G., Mark 3:24 >. It is used especially of the "kingdom" of God and of Christ. "The Kingdom of God is: (a) the sphere of God's rule,
Psalm 22:28
For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
Psalm 145:13
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
Daniel 4:25
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
St. Luke 1:52
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
Romans 13:1-2
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Since, however, this earth is the scene of universal rebellion against
God, e. g., < Luke 4:5 ,6; 1 John 5:19 ; Rev. 11:15-18>,; The "kingdom" of God is (b) the sphere in which, at any given time, His rule is acknowledged. God has not relinquished His sovereignty in the face of rebellion, demoniac and human, but has declared His purpose to establish it. . Meantime, seeking willing obedience, He gave His law to a nation and appointed kings to administer His "kingdom" over it, <1 Chr. 28:5>. Israel, however, though declaring still a nominal allegiance shared in the common rebellion, , and, after they had rejected the Son of God, < John 1:11 > (cf. ), were "cast away," .
Henceforth God calls upon men everywhere, without distinction of race or nationality, to submit voluntarily to His rule. Thus the "kingdom" is said to be "in mystery" now, < Mark 4:11 >,; that is, it does not come within the range of the natural powers of observation, < Luke 17:20 >,; but is spiritually discerned, < John 3:3 > (cf. <1 Cor. 2:14>).
When, hereafter, God asserts His rule universally, then the "kingdom" will be in glory, that is, it will be manifest to all; cf. . "Thus, speaking generally, references to the Kingdom fall into two classes, the first, in which it is viewed as present and involving suffering for those who enter it, <2 Thes. 1:5>, the second, in which it is viewed as future and is associated with reward, , and glory, <13:43>. See also < Acts 14:22 >. "The fundamental principle of the Kingdom is declared in the words of the Lord spoken in the midst of a company of Pharisees, "the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you," < Luke 17:21 >,; that is, where the King is, there is the Kingdom.
Thus at the present time and so far as this earth is concerned, where the King is and where His rule is acknowledged, is, first, in the heart of the individual believer, < Acts 4:19 ; Eph. 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:15>, and then in the churches of God, <1 Cor. 12:3,5, 11; 14:37>, cf. , where for "in" read "among." "Now, the King and His rule being refused, those who enter the Kingdom of God are brought into conflict with all who disown its allegiance, as well as with the desire for ease, and the dislike of suffering and unpopularity, natural to all.
On the other hand, subjects of the Kingdom are the objects of the care of God, , and of the rejected King, . "Entrance into the Kingdom of God is by the new birth, John 3:5 >,; for nothing that a man may be by nature, or can attain to by any form of self-culture, avails in the spiritual realm. And as the new nature, received in the new birth, is made evident by obedience, it is further said that only such as do the will of God shall enter into His Kingdom, , where, however, the context shows that the reference is to the future, as in <2 Pet. 1:10,11>. Cf. also <1 Cor. 6:9,10; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5>. "The expression `Kingdom of God' occurs four times in Matthew, `Kingdom of the Heavens' usually taking its place. The latter (cf. ) does not occur elsewhere in NT, but see <2 Tim. 4:18>,; "His heavenly Kingdom."... This Kingdom is identical with the Kingdom of the Father (cf. with < Mark 14:25 >), and with the Kingdom of the Son (cf. < Luke 22:30 >). Thus there is but one Kingdom, variously described: of the Son of Man, ; of Jesus, ; of Christ Jesus, <2 Tim. 4:1>, "of Christ and God," ; "of our Lord, and of His Christ," ; "of our God, and the authority of His Christ," <12:10>, "of the Son of His love," .
"Concerning the future, the Lord taught His disciples to pray, "Thy Kingdom come," , where the verb is in the point tense, precluding the notion of gradual progress and development, and implying a sudden catastrophe as declared in <2 Thes. 2:8>. "Concerning the present, that a man is of the Kingdom of God is not shown in the punctilious observance of ordinances, which are external and material, but in the deeper matters of the heart, which are spiritual and essential, viz., "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit," ." From Notes on Thessalonians by Hogg and Vine, pp. 68, 70.
"With regard to the expressions "the Kingdom of God" and the "Kingdom of the Heavens," while they are often used interchangeably, it does not follow that in every case they mean exactly the same and are quite identical. "The Apostle Paul often speaks of the Kingdom of God, not dispensationally but morally, e. g., in , but never so of the Kingdom of Heaven. `God' is not the equivalent of `the heavens.' He is everywhere and above all dispensations, whereas `the heavens' are distinguished from the earth, until the Kingdom comes in judgment and power and glory , RV when rule in heaven and on earth will be one.
"While, then, the sphere of the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are at times identical, yet the one term cannot be used indiscriminately for the other. In the `Kingdom of Heaven' (32 times in Matt.), heaven is in antithesis to earth, and the phrase is limited to the Kingdom in its earthly aspect for the time being, and is used only dispensationally and in connection with Israel. In the `Kingdom of God', in its broader aspect, God is in antithesis to `man' or `the world,' and the term signifies the entire sphere of God's rule and action in relation to the world. It has a moral and spiritual force and is a general term for the Kingdom at any time. The Kingdom of Heaven is always the Kingdom of God, but the Kingdom of God is not limited to the Kingdom of Heaven, until in their final form, they become identical, e. g., , RV; < John 3:5 ; Rev. 12:10>." (An Extract). (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) In order to settle this controversy as to what gospel was preached by Jesus and the disciples, we must search the scriptures.
St. Matthew 19:21-24
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
The Lord implies that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are all one and the same. This is important as we begin to study the gospel of the kingdom. Some believe there will be two different gospels preached before the return of the Lord. Jesus’ conversation with the rich, young ruler, establishes the fact that men’s hearts are consumed by their possessions. Therefore, the love of their material possessions will cause many to forfeit the kingdom of God.
St. Matthew 19:25-26
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
The prosperity of the millennial kingdom is realized in the regeneration.
St. Matthew 19:27-30
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
A HIDDEN TREASURE
St. Matthew 13:44
44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
A MERCHANT MAN
St. Matthew 13:45-46
45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
A FISH NET
St. Matthew 13:47-52
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.
52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM
St. Matthew 16:18-19
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.THE KINGDOM BELONGS TO THE SON OF MAN
St. Matthew 16:28
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM
St. Matthew 18:1-4
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
THE RICH MAN AND THE KINGDOM
St. Matthew 19:23-26
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
PROSPERITY IN THE KINGDOM
St. Matthew 19:27-30
27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
PAYING THE LABORERS IN THE KINGDOM
St. Matthew 20:1-16
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
This is a powerful word. The Lord is making reference to the nation of Israel and the Gentiles. The Jews would complain of the Gentiles coming into the knowledge of God, receiving the same blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Jews were the ones who kept the oracles of God and served Him throughout the ages with sacrifices and offerings. How dare He make them equal with them. However, the Lord is the Master of the house. It is His privilege to pay those who came last the same as those who were first.
BAPTISM OF SUFFERING FOR THE KINGDOM
St. Matthew 20:21-23
21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
This is the baptism that the church has rejected. But those who will enter into the kingdom will suffer persecution, afflictions and self-denial.
MIND OF A SERVANT
St. Matthew 20:26-28
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
THE REJECTED SON
St. Matthew 21:42-43
42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Here we see the kingdom of God being taken from the Jews and given to the Gentiles. Likewise, the oracles of God are taken from the scribes and Pharisees and given to the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers of the New Testament church formed out of the nations of the Gentiles.
St. Matthew 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
This is very noteworthy. The end of this age will not come until the gospel of the kingdom is preached in every nation. We have established that there is but one kingdom and one gospel concerning that kingdom. It is called the kingdom of heaven as well as the kingdom of God. In the passage above it is simply called the kingdom. This is important because there is another school of thought that declares another gospel to be preached during the time of the tribulation.
St. Matthew 22:2-14
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
St. Matthew 23:13
13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
THE TEN VIRGINS
St. Matthew 25:1-13
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
THE TRAVELING MAN