Jesus is King Already
i will continue revising this with more scripture, edits, and formatting.
Many Christians believe that the Kingdom of God is not at hand. Many believe that the Kingdom has not come upon us. Scripture proves otherwise, and clearly demonstrates that Jesus is reigning now, as our King, and that the Kingdom of God has already been established.
how many Christians even are aware that people have other ideas about the study of end times, known as "eschatology." Most pastors dogmatically teach their view. They do not even mention the existence of other ideas.
and discussing alternative ideas rapidly brings accusation of false prophecy and heresy. Where is the grace that people sing of, the grace to entertain another brother's interpretation of the Word, rather than declare him an unbeliever, a liar, and false prophet, on a path to eternal damnation?
Really?
well let's go and read the Word:
In Matthew, the first of the gospels, the first mention of the kingdom is in chapter 3. John the Baptist says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heavenhas come near" (verse 2). Indeed, John was to prepare the way for the Lord, so it makes sense that he first speaks of the kingdom.
Later in chapter 4, Satan tempts Jesus. The third trial, he offers Jesus a very specific gift:
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
Notice that Satan offers the kingdoms of the world. Why would he do that?
Maybe it's because the nations will be His inheritance, in Psalm 2:8
Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
The first time Jesus speaks of the Kingdom, he says verse 17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
and later
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Adopting the position of mainstream evangelical belief, you would assume that actually Satan is in control of the world.
yet Jesus casts out demons by the finger of God, further proof that the kingdom has come. Past tense. already here. Matthew 12:28
But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
then verse 29, to illustrate how he has accomplished this, and not by the prince of demons, but through the spirit of god:
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.
In order to drive out demons, Jesus has bound up Satan, and now drives out the demons by the spirit of God, proving that the Kingdom has come upon those people, nearly 2,000 years ago.
where did people get a different idea about what scripture plainly teaches?
When discussing these topics, it is important to clearly define the scope of your definitions.
The Great Tribulation occurred in AD 70, with the fall and destruction of Jerusalem. If this is not the case, and if the Great Tribulation has not yet happened, then Jesus was a false prophet, not really God.
Nobody from the first century is still alive. When Jesus told that generation, they would not pass away till all those things were fulfilled, I believe he meant what he said.
let God be true, and all men liars.
how can scripture tell us that the ax is at the root of the tree, the judge is standing at the door, the hour is near, the kingdom is at hand, and that some of them would not taste death, or that John would remain alive until Jesus came back?
is John still alive? Do you think Jesus left John waiting, and never showed up?
If your beliefs about the end of the age, or the great tribulation, cause you to invalidate Jesus's prophecy, you declare him a false prophet.
why not correctly embrace the position that His prophecies came on time, as predicted, and were fulfilled, as planned?
why are Christians so addicted to the notion of a secret rapture, a great tribulation, and wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes?
All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus, your King.
If he is not reigning, then he's not the King of kings.
If his kingdom has not come, then he was a liar, and not God.
is it more likely that Jesus is wrong, or that some people are wrong in their understanding of His Word?