KINGDOM IN THIS AGE

The Mediatorial Kingdom During the Present Church Age.

 

During this age, from Pentecost to the return of Christ, the Mediatorial Kingdom is in abeyance (temporarily inactive) in the sense of its actual establishment on earth.

1 Cor. 4:8 Christians do not yet reign or Paul would also be reigning.

Acts 1:6 with Rev. 12:10 Note the people involved. Israel . . . "Wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?" ”Now is come..... The Kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ!" This is in the middle of the 70th week of Daniel.
      cf. Matt. 6:10 "Thy Kingdom come". This is the prayer being prayed during this age.

However, during this age, we do and should preach "the Kingdom of God," as an essential part of "the whole counsel of God."

1c. Paul preached the Grace of God. Acts 20:24  "to testify the gospel of the grace of God."
2c. Paul preached the Kingdom (ASV. "Kingdom of God" in KJV) Acts 20:21-27 ASV
3c. This message of the Kingdom was a part of the whole counsel of God.

 NOTE a. This is being done when like Paul we deal with the entire prophetic program as it relates both to the Church and the coming establishment of the Kingdom on earth.

NOTE b. It is questionable whether this can be correctly called preaching "the Gospel of the Kingdom." Why not? See Mark 1:14-15.

Because the Gospel of the Kingdom as set forth in Mark 1:14-15 presented the Kingdom as something immediately at hand. At best, it is seven years away, even if Christ should come now for His Church.

But in one sense it might be said that the Mediatorial Kingdom does exist today, even prior to its establishment.

Col. 1:13 "And hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear son".
2 Tim. 2:12 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him". The Kings of that Kingdom are living right now.
cf. 1 Cor. 4:8 But Christians do not now reign, or Paul would be reigning.
Rev. 3:21 "Will I grant to sit with me in My throne".

 NOTE a. In the sense that the Mediatorial Kingdom is a phase of the Kingdom of God into which we enter by the new birth (John 3:5).

NOTE b. And in the sense that today God is saving and preparing the members of the Royal Family who are to reign with His Son in the coming established Kingdom.
NOTE c. Thus as believers we actually enter the Kingdom before its visible establishment, something so remarkable that it is called a "translation" (Col. 1:13).