KINGDOM - OLOGY 10

The Mediatorial Kingdom is Distinguished in Time and Function from that Phase of the Kingdom known as the Eternal State

            This does not mean that there are two kingdoms of our Lord Jesus Christ: one an intermediate kingdom, and then another which is everlasting. Nor does this mean that there is anything other than one everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It does mean that in the order of progressive revelation various phases of this one kingdom are revealed as they relate to various aspects of the kingdom. The first phase is preparatory, the second is perfect.

            At creation man was appointed to the place of dominion over the earth. There is no suggestion that this will be limited in time (Gen. 1:26, 28). The preservation of Noah, and by inclusion of the human race, involving dominion, is one part of an everlasting covenant (Gen. 9:16). Narrowed down to Abraham and his seed, a grant of land is given to them forever (Gen. 13:14-17); this is embodied in a covenant (Gen. 15:18) which was to last forever (Gen. 17:4-21).

            The Messiah and coming King is to be established on the throne of David and of His kingdom there is to be no end (Isa. 9:6-7). This kingdom will succeed all other kingdoms and shall never be destroyed because it is a kingdom set up by the God of heaven (Dan. 2:34-35, 44). At the birth of Christ the angel makes clear to Mary that Jesus, born of her, will sit on the throne of David and rule over the house of Jacob forever (Luke 1:31-33).

            As the truth concerning this everlasting kingdom unfolds, it becomes evident that this kingdom will begin with the second coming of Christ back to the earth, coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30), and He shall then sit upon the throne of His glory (Matt. 25:31). At this point He will initiate a reign covering a long period of time in which He will progressively bring all enemies into subjection under His feet (1 Cor. 15:24-26). The phrase "put down" of verse 24, and the word "destroyed" of verse 26 translate exactly the same word, the Greek word katargeo, a word meaning to render inoperative. A variety of translations have been given to this word in various versions: destroyed, defeated, abolished, subdued, put an end to, stopped, or does away with. Not one of these renderings is quite as appropriate as to render inoperative. Intelligences, natural and supernatural, that are performing the functions of government and exercising authority in hostility to the Lord Jesus Christ shall lose position and power.

            This will be affected over a long period of time as suggested by the nature of the word and the use of the present tense in vs. 26. This will happen as the great king exercises benevolence toward his subjects and displays His divine power. In the presence of the King, all enemies will be rendered empty and meaningless. The resurrection of the wicked and the experience of second death will bring the reign of the king of terrors to an end. The greatest period of evangelization in the history of the world will take place spearheaded by the nation of Israel (Isa. 52:7-10; 61:6). With the law of God written on their hearts, they shall know the Lord (Jer. 31:31-34), and shall be willing in the day of His power (Ps. 110:3). No longer will armed might be used to settle disputes among nations, but international difficulties will be arbitrated by the Lord and enforced by His power (Isa. 2:4). Nations will understand that they derive their power from that government which centers in Christ (Isa. 2:2), and the teeming millions of mankind will make religious pilgrimages to Jerusalem to worship the King, and learning of Him, will walk in His paths, and bow the knee in subservience to the law of God from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:3).

            This is the millennial kingdom of Christ introduced at the Second Advent of Christ, and being brought to a successful conclusion when every enemy is at last placed under His feet, will be merged into the eternal state (1 Cor. 15:24-28). This is the Mediatorial Kingdom that John declares lasts for a thousand years (Rev. 20:5-6). The thousand year duration of this operation will prove to mankind what can happen when men bow the knee to theocratic rule. It will prove, too, that except men are born of God, they cannot experience the dominion of God (John 3:3, 5).       It will prove beyond any question of doubt that living in a perfect environment physically, socially, intellectually, financially, for a thousand years, when the restraints of righteousness are removed and the great deceiver is released from the pit, sinful men will revert to the influence and power of sinful nature under the leadership of the arch criminal of the universe (Rev. 20:7-10).

            This is that Mediatorial theocratic rule, planned and promised of God from the foundation of the World, now realized in the earth. This sovereign, gracious, benevolent, rule has over the period of a thousand years been brought to a successful completion. It is now ready to be delivered into the hands of God the Father and merged into the eternal state. But this kingdom is not the eternal state. It is that preparatory period in order to the eternal state. It is the proving ground where the progress of God, through men, in spite of human sin, reaches the point of bringing into the experience of mankind the golden age of all civilization (Ps. 72). At last that petition Christ taught His disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come" (Matt. 6:10) will come to fulfillment.