“Thy Kingdom Come”

GOLDEN TEXT: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” —Revelation 11:15

MATTHEW 6:9,10; 28:16-20; JOHN 17:18-21; ACTS 1:6-8

GOD’S kingdom was made very prominent in Jesus’ teachings, and the expectation that he would establish that promised kingdom, deliver their nation from the oppressive heel of the Romans, and then extend its influence world-wide, was a great source of inspiration to his disciples. They thoroughly believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the One who had come to fulfill all the kingdom promises.

There was much in Jesus’ teachings that they did not understand, and they were greatly perplexed when he announced his intention of allowing his enemies in Jerusalem to apprehend him and put him to death. This seemed out of accord with their kingdom expectations, for, as they reasoned, how could a dead king establish a kingdom such as they visualized?

Jesus helped them over this difficulty somewhat by relating to them the parable of a certain nobleman who went into a “far country” to receive a kingdom, and then to return. We are told that Jesus gave them this parable because they expected that the kingdom would immediately be established. (Luke 19:11,12) Doubtless this helped them to grasp the fact that there would be at least some delay in the realization of their expectations.

But even so, the situation was not at all clear to them, and they were greatly perplexed when their Master was crucified. When they became assured that he had been raised from the dead, their hopes were revived, especially when he announced to them that “all power” had been given to him in heaven and in earth.

When Jesus appeared to his disciples for the last time before his ascension they still had their kingdom aspirations in mind and on their hearts, so they made bold to ask him, “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” To them the promised kingdom of the Messiah was to be the restored kingdom of Israel, much as it existed in the days of David and Solomon. They were in part correct, except that it will be on a far grander scale, with the actual seat of authority in the hands of Christ.

Jesus replied to his disciples, saying, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” (Acts 1:7) He made it plain to them, however, that before they would see the glory of the kingdom, his followers were to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”—Acts 1:8

On the last night before Jesus was crucified, he prayed that his disciples might be made one with him, even those disciples who would believe on him through their word. (John 17:20) And he indicated that when this was accomplished, which it will be when his entire church is united with him in heavenly glory to share his authority and power, then the world will believe.

Shortly after Jesus was baptized, Satan appeared and offered to give him all the kingdoms of this world if he would fall down and worship him. Jesus did not deny, that Satan could at that time have made good his offer, for on another occasion he referred to the devil as the prince of this world. (Matt. 4:8,9; John 14:30) But Jesus did not yield to this temptation, for he knew that in the Heavenly Father’s due time these kingdoms would come under his control.

It is this that is referred to in our Golden Text. In the Greek text from which this translation is made the word “kingdom” is in the singular, and the text should read that the kingdom, or sovereignty of this world, becomes God’s and his Christ’s. This was prophetic of a transfer of world sovereignty from Satan to Christ, and it denotes the time when the “all power” given to Jesus after his resurrection will be used by him to establish his rulership over the nations.

The context indicates that this would first result in the nations becoming “angry,” and that the wrath of the Lord would be kindled against them. Other prophecies reveal that this was to result in a “time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” (Dan. 12:1) Jesus describes the same trouble as a “great tribulation.” (Matt. 24:21) There are many prophetic evidences to indicate that this is the tribulation through which the world is now passing.

In Psalm 2:8 the Heavenly Father addresses his beloved Son, saying, “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen [Gentiles] for thine inheritance, and the uttermost part of the earth for thy possession.” And then he reveals his will that the nations be dashed to pieces “like a potter’s vessel.” No wonder the nations become angry when this is taking place. But this is only the necessary prelude to the outpouring of kingdom blessings.

QUESTIONS

Why were the disciples so perplexed when Jesus announced that he expected to die?

How did Jesus help them in this connection?

What has been accomplished kingdom-wise during the present age?

Explain the manner in which Revelation 11:15 is now being fulfilled.

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