The Relevance of teaching on the Kingdom

 

The Relevance of Teaching on the Particulars of the Kingdom

Is it right for us to focus so intently on the details of the Millennial Kingdom, and of End-Time Prophecy in general? Let us consider the following reasons... 

1.     The emphasis given it by Jesus & His Apostles (cf., The Book of Acts, from beginning to end).

a. Jesus’ preaching in the 40 Days prior to the Ascension.

Acts 1:3: To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

b. The Disciples’ concern:

Acts 1:6: So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

 

c. Paul’s intense ministry in Ephesus…

19: 8-9: And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. This took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. (cf., Acts 20:25) 

20:25-27: ²⁵"And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. ²⁶Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. ²⁷For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.”

 

d. The closing of Acts with Paul’s ministry in Rome…

Acts 28:23: When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

30-31: And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

2.     The amount of Scripture devoted to Prophecy…

“By one count, about 27 percent of the Bible is predictive. This means that, when written, over one fourth of the Bible—more than one in four verses—was prophetic.” (GotQuestions.com)

3.     Not an obscure, trivial concern… God doesn’t waste ink! His Scripturally-revealed agenda needs to be OUR agenda! 

God knew what He was doing in giving us the Word in the particular form that He has given it--which is a Word filled with DOCTRINE! God also knows what He is doing in making us accountable to learn the Doctrines derived from His Word, and in making Pastors accountable to preach the fullness of Divine revelation. 

To question the importance and relevance of God's Word is to challenge the very wisdom of God--and is dangerously approaching the point of BLASPHEMY!

4.   A primary purpose for Bible prophecy: our personal sanctification.

2 Peter 3:10-14: ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. ¹¹Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹²looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! ¹³But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. ¹⁴Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless…

 

1John 3:2-3  Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

5.  YES...  The matter has some complexity attached to it—but we MUST have confidence in God & His Word, and acknowledge that we are required to consume meat & solid food—not just milk! (Heb. 5:12-14)

6.   The Lord is ready to help the honest student (James 1:5-7)! ASK Him, in faith, for greater understanding!

     James 1:5-8: But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.