Called the “kingdom of God/heaven” because it is the reign of God, the Creator. 1. Reign of God in Creation—He is King over His creation Ex. 15:18; Psalm 103:19 2. The reign of God in a fallen Creation The fundamental idea of the Kingdom of God is eschatological—it is the restored rule of God over a fallen creation. This work of restoration, this reign of God over a fallen world and the reversal of the curse will result in a new heaven and the new earth.
The Gospel is, that as King has subjected His creation to vanity, to pain and misery (Romans 8:20) and has promised a restoration in Christ.
Two truth run parallel through the Old Testament concerning the Kingdom—curse and blessing, grace and justice. These two truth are seen right at the beginning of time in the context of God’s Sovereignty—God said “I will…” (Genesis 3:15). Here we are reminded that God is still in control, that the power of God is great than the powers of temptation that Satan has just wielded. Satan is not listening and not talking—because God is the sovereign of his garden, of his universe.
a. The promise of grace: As king over his creation however, he has promised to redeem the creation, to release it is the misery of sin and recreate it, making a new heaven and a new earth. This is what God promised in Genesis 3:15.
b. The certainty of Judgment. The kingdom prophecies in the Old Testament are apocalyptic. a. “The Great and terrible day of the Lord” (Malachi 3:!; 4:5ff) b. The Day of the Lord (Joel 2:11; ) c. Day of wrath (Zephaniah 1:15)
For the believer, these two truth find their fulfillment in Christ.
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Aaron Dunlop, who is originally from Northern Ireland, graduated from the Geneva Reformed Seminary, SC. He pastored for ten years in Victoria, British Columbia and is currently preparing to move to Kenya with his family to work with the FAME Reformed Theological College.