THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
When we move to the NT, the theocracy of Israel is replaced
by the Kingdom of God. Why would John the Baptist have to preach that the
Kingdom of God was at hand if the theocracy of Israel was the end-all (Matthew3:2)? The coming of the Kingdom of God was to reestablish us as God’s viceroys.
This is possible only through Jesus who receives the kingdom AS a human. Prior
to the incarnation, Jesus was ruling and reigning. He was equal with God. But
He did not rule AS a man. Read 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. Jesus came to
be the perfect human King and to put all things under His dominion or authority
while under the authority of the Father. He is doing what Adam and the rest of
humanity have failed to do. Jesus is the perfect IMAGE of God; the perfect
human viceroy. And it’s through His death and resurrection that He is “crowned
with glory and honor.” See Matthew 28:18, Hebrews 2:9.
The notion of humans a viceregents of God (royal images)
finds its root in Genesis. This notion moves forward in the life of
Abraham as God declares that kings will come from him and that he’ll be
exceedingly fruitful (Genesis 17:5-8). The Davidic Covenant further moves this
concept forward (2 Samuel 7:9-17). The New Covenant anointing of the Spirit, by
Christ, takes this even further (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) as we are delegated to
act in the place of Christ as King (viceregents).
But it is Jesus who is able to restore our status as God’s
viceregents in His Kingdom. Psalm 2:7-8 establishes God’s Son as a Royal
Viceregent. Luke’s genealogy (Luke 3:38-4:1) establishing both Adam and Jesus
as God’s Son. Whereas Adam failed as viceregent in Genesis, Jesus
succeeds as God’s ultimate viceregent in the wilderness
temptation. Daniel 7:13-14 & 7:27 establish the Son of Man as a
ruler who shares His rule with His saints. 1 Corinthians 15:48 clearly
establishes that Christ restores us as image bearers and thus viceregency. The
human reign of Christ as the Father’s viceregent is tied to God’s intent for
creation for us to reign as viceregents. And Christ’s human reign is achieved
through His death and resurrection. By Christ reigning as a man, He brings to
fruition the reality of us returning to priest-kings.
2 Timothy 2:12 shows this kingly reign for us is future.
Although the kingdom of heaven is at hand, we still await final consummation
(Matthew 5:3-10). The kingdom is our, but there are plenty of shall statements
to indicate future finalization. We usually speak of this in terms of already,
not yet. The inauguration of the kingdom does not do away with all
evil. A future separation of God’s people and sinners is laid out in the NT.
Only at the second coming of Christ do we see the consummation of the kingdom
where evil is purged from this world. In that coming area we will experience in
fullness what it means to be priest-kings.
As disciples of Christ, we participate in this kingdom now.
We are to represent our King as viceregents as we live (have dominion) in this
world, and we can approach our God directly (priestly status). This is not
restriction to national boundaries but is worldwide in God’s church. This is
not a geo-political kingdom. Jesus said His kingdom was not of this earth. With
good reason, Peter tells the church that we are a royal priesthood (1 Peter2:9) echoing what God told Israel in Exodus 19. OT language that was
applied to Israel is now applied to the church which is comprise of Jews and
Gentiles. This means that we are being linked to the creation mandate as royal
image bearers who commune directly with God. Thus, we should be expecting a
world-wide temple city that God is building through us. Revelation 1:5-6 &
5:10 continues with the motif of the church being ruling priests with God.
Until then we pray as Jesus taught us, “Your kingdom come,
your will be done.” Revelation 21-22 shows us the final state when God has
fully reestablished us a king priests where we live forever with God in the New
Jerusalem on earth. Then, and then only, will God’s plan for a garden-home
where He dwells with His perfect images be realized and it’s all because of the
Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
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