Friday 30 October 2015

Two-Phase Kingdom

All of the predictions concerning Israel, and concerning the Temple - predictions which Daniel, and all the Prophets, and John the Baptist, and the Lord spoke - were fulfilled within the predicted timeframe. That is, by the end of Jesus' generation.

But as for His coming, the resurrection, the final judgment, the end of the world, and the visible Kingdom and new heavens and new earth - no man, nor angel, not even the Son of Man knows when that will be - but only the Father.

Messiah was to fulfil Kingdom Prophecy in two phases - inauguration and consummation. 

Kingdom already/not yet.

In some Old Testament visions, the Prophets were shown the coming Kingdom, as a unit - while in other Prophetic passages we see the Prophets getting a glimpse of the two-phases of the Kingdom's coming. 

The Book of Daniel deals with the Kingdom both ways, depending on the purpose.

For example, the king had a dream of the Kingdom of God coming in the days of a future, fourth kingdom. 

That king didn't need to know about the two-phase nature of the Kingdom. He needed to know that earthly kingdoms (including his own) would one day be eclipsed not only by future kingdoms but by God's Kingdom.

God's Kingdom would come in the days of the fourth kingdom - and it did. Messiah came in that time period - Jesus.

But elsewhere Daniel was given a glimpse of an indeterminate period of time that would span between the destruction of the sanctuary (which happened in Jesus' generation) and the resurrection (which Paul said will happen at Christ's coming).

For Jewish events and Temple events Daniel was given a timeframe by the angel (that's why Jesus could too). 

But as for what would happen after that, the angel gave Daniel no timeframe - he was told only that many would fall, many would be converted, and he would await his resurrection, when he would then stand in his eternal inheritance. So that's why Jesus couldn't give a timeframe for His coming either.

So it's both correct to say the Kingdom was inaugurated by Jesus - and also correct to say we await the consummation of the Kingdom when He comes.

The Kingdom is within you - and it's coming openly.

We are saved - and we're going to be saved.

We've received grace - and we're going to receive grace in that Day. 

Kingdom Now/Not Yet.

The Prophets foresaw that scenario.

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