Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | The fruit and leaves of the tree of life | Gen 2:9 | jonp | 184562 | ||
Hello Brian. You have asked me to define the Kingly Rule of God. The Kingly Rule of God has in one sense been established in Heaven right from the beginning (see Psalm 22.28 - 'the Kingly Rule is of the LORD, and He rules over the nations'. See also Psalm 103.19). God's original aim was to establish His Kingly Rule over Israel (Deuteromy 33.5) but this aim was thwarted by their rebellion (1 Samuel 8.7). They rejected His Kingship. The prophets therefore began to look for it to be established in the future. Thus when John the Baptist came he informed Israel that the Kingly Rule of God was at hand. Now they were again to be given the opportunity of coming under His Kingly Rule. Jesus emphasised that by casting out evil spirits He had demonstrated that the Kingly Rule of God had come upon them (Matthew 12.28). Thus He could say, 'the Kingly Rule of God is among you' (Luke 17.21). All who would could come and respond to Him and as a result they would come under the Kingly Rule of God. Indeed tax collectors and sinners were already flocking into it (Matthew 21.31). But no one could 'see' it unless they were 'born from above' (John 3.3). So in order to enter into it men had to be born from above by The Spirit of God (John 3.5-6). It was being established through the preaching of the word (Matthew 13). This establishment of God's Kingly Rule as something open to all who would respond to Jesus is common in the New Testament (compare Acts 28.21; Romans 14.17). But there is also a future aspect to the Kingly Rule of God, which again is constantly emphasised, and that is the everlasting Kingly Rule of God in Heaven (Matthew 5.10; 7.21; 8.11-12 and often). Many references could in fact refer to both. This is not surprising for God is the King and all those who have submitted to His rule by believing in Jesus and accepting Him as their Lord will come under His rule both in this world and the next. As a result of the failure of many Jews to respond to Him Jesus declared that 'The Kingly Rule of God will be taken away from you, and given to a nation producing its fruits' (Matthew 21.43). For Jesus had come as the true Vine, the representative of the true Israel (John 15.1; Matthew 2.15). All who were united with Him by being fruitful branches of the vine would become part of the new Israel. The remainder were cast off. For He had come to found His new 'congregation' (of Israel) on the rock of His Messiahship (Matthew 16.18). This new Israel was formed first of the Apostles and their fellow disciples and then grew rapidly after Pentecost as many Jews were 'added to the congregation' (the 'congregation' (ekklesia) was a word used to describe Israel in the Old Testament). Israel had always accepted Gentiles into the covenant when they sought the God of Israel (as long as they would be circumcised), and soon the Apostles were guided to allow Gentiles to enter the congregation. That caused a dispute as to whether they needed to be circumcised. This demonstrates that they all saw these Gentiles as becoming a part of Israel as it was formulated from the beginning. The decision made was that it was unnecessary because they were united with Christ and had therefore already been circumcised in the circumcision of Christ (Colossians 2.11). Paul makes clear in Romans 11.17-28 that these Gentiles have been grafted into the olive tree of the covenant, while the Jews who have not believed in Jesus have been cast off and are therefore no longer a part of the covenant. Israel is now made up of both Jews and Gentiles who have become a part of the household of God (Ephesians 2.13-22) through faith in Jesus. So the new Israel, which is the genuine Israel united with Christ as the true Vine (as opposed to the false vine of the old Israel), have replaced those who saw themselves as the old Israel. The new 'nation' has replaced the old. All the promises therefore now apply to the new Israel, because they are the true Israel, and it is they who are the true sons of Abraham (Galatians 3.28-29). This is the true Israel, the Israel of God (Galatians 6.16). I feel that is sufficient for this post so I will deal with the remainder of your question in another posting. Best wishes Jonp. |
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2 | The fruit and leaves of the tree of life | Gen 2:9 | Brian#9 | 184569 | ||
Hello Jonp; You mean the Kingdom of God. Where are you going with 'old' Israel and 'new' Israel? Yes the Church (believers in Christ) has taken up the responsibility that once was Israels. The promises to Israel are still in effect. (God dose not change) Remember the 144,000. In the Bible 'nation' refers to heathen, Gentile correct? Are you using it that way here? I asked for the definition of 'period' of Kingly Rule of God. When dose it begin, and now when dose it end? I ask you to define 'period' of the everlasting kingdom, and when dose it begin. These are your terms in your explanation. In His Hand, Brian |
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3 | The fruit and leaves of the tree of life | Gen 2:9 | jonp | 184590 | ||
Hi Brian. The word Basileia actually refers to 'Kingly Rule' and not to a 'Kingdom'. A Basileia reaches as far as the king's influence and no further. The church ('congregation') are the true congregation of Israel. Old and new Israel are not my ideas. They are the ideas of Jesus and of Paul. The church has not 'taken up' the responsibility of others, it has fulfilled its own responsibility as the continuing Israel. Peter and the other Apostles, including Paul, would have denied hotly that they were replacing Israel. Peter addresses the church as 'the Dispersion' (Israel scatted abroad). James calls them 'the twelve tribes of Israel. The Apostles saw themselves as carrying forward their task as the renewed Israel. The Kingly Rule of God began at creation. It will never end, for it is everlasting. But it was especially brought home on earth by Jesus Christ as He brought the Kingly Rule of God to men's attention and sought to draw men into it. Best wishes Jonp | ||||||
4 | The fruit and leaves of the tree of life | Gen 2:9 | Brian#9 | 184618 | ||
Thank you Sir; How do you rightly divide the verses I mention in my post within the three time periods you mentioned? I did not say that the Church would be replacing Israel. By "taking up the responsibilities" more like being past a baton in a race to carry it across the finish line. Israel (remnant) with Christ on His Throne,and the sheep 'nations',without Satan's influence for 1,000 years fits where? In His Hand, Brian |
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5 | The fruit and leaves of the tree of life | Gen 2:9 | jonp | 184636 | ||
Hi Brian, From the wording of your question I presume you would like me to reply. Your first question would require a long winded reply so I will leave it. Are we in a race in which we have been passed on the baton? See Hebrews 12.1-2 along with chapter 11. What happens to the sheep nations? If we accept Jesus answer to the question at face value they go immediately into everlasting life or everlasting punishment (Matthew 25.48). God has been reigning over the earth from the beginning of time (Psalm 22.28; 103.19; 93.1; 97.1; 99.1). Christ began reigning over the earth when He ascended into Heaaven and was enthroned (Acts 2.36; Ephesians 1.19-22). The souls of the departed began to reign over the earth when they died (Revelation 20.4). There is no suggestion anywhere that they reign ON the earth. Satan has been bound since Christ came and bound him (Mark 3.27 and parallels) and will continue to be so until he is let loose. We are the remnant of Israel over whom He reigns. |
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6 | The fruit and leaves of the tree of life | Gen 2:9 | stjohn | 184643 | ||
hello Jonp; Talking of Israel. "There is no suggestion anywhere that they reign ON the earth". These were your words! Now! May I make a suggestion? It appears that this is more then a SUGGESTION! THIS IS A PROMIS! Gen13:14 The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; Gen 13:15 for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. And I Know. that forever according to you, probably does not mean forever, Nor does land mean land. i.e. "scripture according to Jonp"! God's peace stj |
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