KINGDOM - OLOGY 31

The Mediatorial Kingdom is the Preparatory Phase for the Eternal State

            The Mediatorial Kingdom is clearly set forth in the Word of God as that period in which the King in the course of His rule brings every enemy into subjection to His authority (1 Cor. 15:25-26). The last enemy is death. Not until this work is brought to full completion will the Mediatorial Kingdom merge into the eternal state. This means that the Mediatorial Kingdom is definitely a part of the redemptive program of the Lord. Not until the redemptive program has reached the point of perfection will the kingdom be ready to be committed to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24). The Mediatorial Servant shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he has set justice in the earth, and the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law (Isa. 42:4 NASB).

            This means that even though wide and sweeping changes have taken place at the opening and during the course of the kingdom, perfection is not reached until the end. Amazing changes will have taken place in the physical environment, but the curse is not fully removed (Rev. 22:3). Climatic changes and increased fertility will characterize the weather and the productiveness of the soil (Isa. 30:25-26; 32:13-15; Amos 9:13). Disease and deformity and sickness will disappear (Isa. 35:5-6; 33:24). Animal savagery will be gone and they will no longer frighten mankind (Isa. 11:6-8). Even though infant mortality will disappear, they may die at the age of a hundred, and wicked men will feel the force of the curse (Isa. 65:20). The rain will be withheld from wicked nations, and even the plague will come upon men (Zech. 14:17-18).

            Supplanting the confusion in the area of religion will be one ecclesiastical program for worship. All people will come to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts (Zech. 14:16). The vast number will voluntarily make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Ps. 110:3; Isa. 2:3; Zech. 8:23). But there will be some who will be placed under divine sanction (Zech. 14:16-19). Spiritual nobility will be delegated authority to rule and reign with Christ during this kingdom. They will be especially capable of performing this task, for in them the work of salvation is then complete, and they will be endowed with special powers in that they will have received resurrection bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-44; Rev. 20:4,6; Dan. 7:27). Society will then be organized over a vastly different pattern. The profit motive will no longer present the proper distribution of the benefits of labor. And every man will possess a little property he can call his own. Inflation will not steal away his savings, and there will be plenty for all (Isa. 65:21-24; Mic. 4:4).

            In the moral sphere there will be a general calm and law abiding atmosphere. Part of this is due to the fact that the vast amount of the population is made up of saved people. For others there will be the compulsion of a King who is ruling with a rod of iron, and whose punishment is swift and awful upon the wicked (Isa. 11:4). But still, there will be individuals who step out of the way (Isa. 65:20), nations that rebel against ecclesiastical sanctions (Zech. 14:17-18), and even international controversy that requires arbitration at the highest level (Isa. 2:2; Mic. 4:3).

            If there is any one area which can be cited as the cause for disruption in other areas, it is the spiritual. On the earth level this kingdom begins with a solid foundation of regenerated people (Matt. 13:42-43), in which there will be a population explosion. And those born physically into the kingdom will possess the old sinful nature. To offset this and provide for spiritual renewal, a prolonged evangelistic campaign will be carried on, spearheaded by the Jews (Isa. 52:7-10). Satan is also restricted in his operations, being confined in the bottomless pit for the entire period. But at the end, when the restrictions of righteousness are removed and Satan is released from the pit, then a worldwide insurrection breaks out among the unsaved under the leadership of Satan. Swift and awful destruction falls from heaven in the form of fire that devours all the wicked. The instigator and leader of this rebellion is then immediately cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:7-10).

            If it seems incredible that mutiny should break out after a thousand years, under the beneficent rule of this sovereign, within the most favorable environment the world has ever seen, living in the presence of the King from whose face radiance has made the earth to shine, let us remember that it was in a perfect environment that an unfallen man and woman fell into sin. The explanation narrows down to one point, the exercise of free will. And until the will is activated toward God, there can be no holy response. That is the reason that Christ said to the most popular teacher in Israel, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). It is in this respect that the kingdom provides the incontrovertible proof for the need of new birth.

The last enemy, death, is now defeated. All the wicked of all the ages are now raised from the dead. The books which record their deeds are opened. Their lives are evaluated, and the degree of punishment they deserve is inflicted. Death and Hades and the wicked are all cast into the lake of fire which is the second death. Never again will anyone experience death. (Rev. 21:4). And victory is now complete. The long program of redemption has reached its culmination. There will no longer be any need for an intermediate place of confinement for the Spirit. The revelation of God in Christ has reached its highest, and the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isa. 11:9). This is truly the golden age of civilization for which the lofty-minded and pure-hearted of all generations have longed; a time in which all that is noblest and holiest in man will be called forth, and all that is evil and degrading will be repressed. This crowning achievement of Christ is now delivered into the hands of the Eternal Father, and Christ takes His place alongside the Father in the eternal throne (1 Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 22:1, 3).