Holy Scriptures (Romans 3:1-2; 9:1-11:32) Luke 24:44-49 44
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
In 24:44 we see everything in the Old Testament about Jesus must be fulfilled: The Hebrew Bible (Tankah) The Law of Moses The Prophets The Writings (i.e. the Psalms) Former Genesis to Deuteronomy
Latter
Joshua to 1 and 2 Kings
Isaiah to Malachi
Ps., Job, Prov., Ruth, Song, Ecc., Lam., Esterh, Dan., Ezra, Neh., 1 and 2 Chron.
Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (24:45) in 2 ways: Messianically -“that the Christ [i.e. Messiah] should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” (24:46)
Missiologically -“that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (24:47)
We CANNOT understand the Bible if we do not see it is as ultimately about Jesus and His Mission. The Bible is NOT a Spiritual Encyclopedia
The Bible is a Narrative, a Story of Redemption
(complete catalog of problems, with complete list of divine answers)
We are NOT the center of the Bible.
(its chief character and theme is Jesus Christ; every page reveals Him)
Our deepest problem is we seek to find our identity outside God’s story of redemption:
When we study Scripture it should never terminate on our self.
Pursuing our own glory, happiness, buying the lies of autonomy and self-sufficiency, worshiping the creation rather than its Creator.
Ex. David & Goliath points ultimately to Jesus. Only way to defeat your “Giants” is to know Jesus conquered the ultimate Giants of sin, Satan and death, and His victory is credited as yours.
Only as we see our story enfolded in the larger story of redemption will we begin to live God-honoring lives Lasting change begins when our identity, purpose, and sense of direction are defined by God’s story.
If so, we use the promises, principles, and commands of the Word to serve the thing we really love: ourselves.
It’s about Jesus & His Mission (inward and outward)
Not about Ourselves & Our Mission
When we read the Bible we are taking our story and realigning it with and retuning it to God’s Redemptive Story.
We understand and view our world through story. Story is how we relate to each other, know one another, and transmit and under values. Worldview.
The Bible is a Story with 3 Main Themes—Rebar of Scripture : 1. God’s Sovereignty 2. God’s Amazing Grace 3. God’s Glory
“Everything in the Bible is either preparation for the Gospel, presentation of the Gospel, or participation in the Gospel”
(Not about our control) (Not about our efforts) (Not about our own glory)
2 Ways to Read and Understand the Bible Thematically
As a Story (Genesis to Revelation)
Systematic Theology (Synchronically)
Biblical Theology (Diachronically)
Gospel Presentation: God | Sin | Christ | Faith
Gospel Presentation: Creation | Fall | Redemption | Restoration
The Central Focus of Jesus is the Message and Story of the Kingdom of God Matt. 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Map of the Bible (main points; not every detail)
The Pattern of the Kingdom (Genesis 1 & 2) God is Creator & King Gen 1:1 Ps. 95:3
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
Pattern of Creation Gen. 1:2
The earth was without form and void
Forming what was Formless
Filling what was Void (i.e. Empty)
Day 1: Light Day 2: Waters and Sky Day 3: Ground and Vegetation
Day 4: Lights Day 5: Fish and Birds Day 6: Animals and People On Day 6: Man is Made—the Pinnacle of God’s Creation
Man: The Image of God
Gen. 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.
Dominion: “And let them have dominion” (Gen. 1:26, 28) Forming as in Days 1-3
Dynasty: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Gen. 1:28) Man is to image God’s Glory to Creation, acting as King-Priests
Filling as in Days 4-6
(Rule over and Reflect God’s Character to Creation)
Rest: The Goal of Creation Gen. 2:2
And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
3
God Rules through Covenant:
God’s Rule
Formally binding 2 parties in relationship to one another, based on mutual commitment. Blessings for commitment Curses for breaking
Blessing God’s People
God’s Place
God
Shalom, Life & Symphony
Man Creation
Perfect Relationships God & Man
Man & Woman
Enjoy Intimacy with God and blessing in the gift of God’s Creation One Prohibition for Protection: Gen. 2:17
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, … you shall surely die.
Man & Creation
Enjoy Intimacy and blessing in Marriage
Man & Creation work in harmony to bring fruit
Man created first and is the leader. Uses authority to love, protect and provided for wife.
Man exercises caring authority. Cultural Mandate.
Gen. 2:25
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Gen. 2:15
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it
The Perished Kingdom (Genesis 3-11) Satan as a serpent enables Adam and Eve to doubt and disbelieve the goodness of God’s rule (Gen. 3:1-5). Eating the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” Adam and Eve came to know not about or experiencing in evil, but determining for oneself what is good and what is evil. Determining one’s own morality.
Sin is disbelieving the word of God and choosing to live our lives without God, not under His rule. Dethroning and Degodding God with ourselves. God’s Rule
Creation Discord, Death & Cacophony
Curse
Man God
God’s People
God’s Place
Broken Relationships God & Man
Man & Woman
Man Hides from God Spiritually Dead
Man & Creation
Hide their Nakedness Woman Desires to rule over her Man
Discord between Man & Creation Sweet, Labor, and Pain in Work
Spread of Sin and Death -Cain & Able (Gen. 4): First murder; among brothers -Mortality (Gen. 5): First Genealogy and death is inherited (and he died. …. and he died. … and he died—5, 8, 11, etc.) -The Flood (Gen. 6-9): The division of the earth and water established on Day 1 of Creation are dissolved -The Tower of Babel (Gen. 11): Human Exaltation and Independent Kingdom from God
Digression of Sin in Gen. 3-11
Individual
Marriage
Family
Society
Gd
Gd
Gd
Gd
The Promised Kingdom (Genesis 12) Even in the Fall, see Grace Adam and Eve: God provides atonement. “The LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21)
Protevangelium: Offspring of woman will crush serpent—Gen. 3:15. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20) Mark of Cain: God places a protective mark on Cain in exile—Gen. 4:15 Enoch: Enoch Walked with God—Gen. 5:24 Covenant with Noah: Noah
(names means grace)
found favor
(i.e. grace)
in the eyes of the LORD—Gen. 6:8
Noahic Covenant—Gen. 9:11: In the midst of Sin, God is committed to His Creation.
Genesis 9 is a Recreation. Genesis 1
Genesis 9
“And God blessed them” (v. 28)
“And God blessed Noah and his sons” (v. 1)
“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth…” (v. 28)
“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” (v. 1)
“… and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea
“The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every
and over the birds of the heavens …..” (v. 28)
beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens…” (v. 2)
“I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face
“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you…” (v. 3)
of all the earth…. You shall have them for food.” (v. 29)
God’s Blessing: means enjoying the good gifts of God’s creation in abundance
Abrahamic Covenant No Grace involved with the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11). Wait until Abraham in Gen. 12
Genesis 12:1-3 is the Text the rest of the Bible expounds. The Launch of God’s Redemptive Mission. Genesis 1-11 sets the question to which Genesis 12 through Revelation 22 is the answer. The Bible is the story of the triumph of Blessing over Curse. o
Gen. 3-11:
o
Gen. 12: 1-3: Five Blessings from God
Five Curses from God
(Gen. 3:14; 3:17; 4:11; 5:29; 9:25)
3 Main Elements in the Promise to Abraham:
1. A People And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. (Gen. 12:2)
2. A Place Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” (Gen. 12:7)
3. A Blessing I will bless those who bless you, …and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Gen. 12:3)
The promises of blessing are a reassertion of God’s original intentions for man in Creation Promise to Abraham is a Promise of the Kingdom of God God’s People (Abraham’s Descendants) in God’s place (the Promised Land) under God’s Rule, thus enjoying His blessing. A promise to reserve the effects of the Fall and for all of God’s creation to experience the Original Blessing & Shalom when He first Created.
The Bible is the story of Salvation in how God fulfills His promise to Abraham through Jesus the Christ. The Gospel in Advance:
Gal. 3:8
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel
beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”
Nations are Blessed by being Justified in Christ. Having a Right Standing before the King.
The Partial Kingdom (Genesis 12-2 Chronicles) History of Israel
God’s People
Genesis 12 through Exodus 18
God’s Rule God’s Place
Exodus 19 through Leviticus Numbers through Joshua
God’s King
Judges through 2 Chronicles
God’s People: Genesis 12 through Exodus 18 The Promise: “And I will make of you a great nation” (Gen. 12:2) Abraham and Isaac (Gen. 12-24) Sarah and Abraham have to wait to a number of years for their promised son Isaac to be born The sacrifice of Isaac: Faith of Abraham and the Substitionary Ram
Jacob and Esau (Gen. 25-36) Jacob (“deceiver”) the younger twin gets the blessing from his father Isaac
Joseph (Gen. 37-50) Youngest of Jacobs’ 12 sons, sold into slavery and becomes the cup bearer to the Egyptian Pharaoh In God’s province, Jacob saves his family from famine back in Canaan— family all moves to Egypt
Moses (Ex. 1-18) The Israelites in Slavery “God heard their groaning, and God remembered [i.e. put into action] his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” (Ex. 2:24)
God reveals Himself to Moses. I AM WHO I AM. God said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Ex. 3:14). God uses Moses to deliver His people to worship Him and take hold of the Promise land of Canaan. God delivers (brings salvation) to Israel through 10 plagues (every single one demolishing an Egyptian god) Passover: Delivered by the Blood of a Lamb Book of Exodus The Exodus: The God who Delivers | Sinai (law): The God Demands | Tabernacle: The God who Draws Near
God’s Rule: Exodus 19 through Leviticus The Promise: “I will bless you” (Gen. 12:2) Under God’s Rule: Blessing and Life Reject God’s Rule: Curse and Death
God’s Law Reveals Sin: Reveals our Savior: Reveals God’s Standard:
Rom. 3:20 Gal. 3:23-24 Matt. 5:12-20
God’s Law Never a means to get right with God. God graciously saves Israel and then gives them the Law. Obedience to the Law is a response to God’s Salvation from Egypt (Ex. 20:2) Obedience is required for blessings in the covenant (Ex. 19:5) Law teaches Israel to be a “Holy Nation” and reflect the Character of God to the nations as a Kingdom of Priests (Ex. 19:6)
God’s Presence Under God’s Rule able to experience God’s presence: Through the assembly of the Tabernacle Purpose of Redemption is Relationship The Garden of Eden was originally a Tabernacle or Temple
Sacrifices through the Tabernacle deal with how a sinful people can live with a Holy God Day of Atonement (Lev. 16): 2 Goats provided and the priest enters the Holy of Holies Always in need of a better Sacrifice: Pointing to Jesus
God’s Place: Numbers through Joshua The Promise: “To your offspring I will give this land.” (Gen. 12:7) Numbers: Disobedience and Delay Ingratitude and Unbelief—wonder for 40 years
Deuteronomy: Blessings and Curses On the brink of entering the Promise Land: Canaan
(Deuteronomy means Second Law)
Covenant Treaty with Israel Blessings if Obey (Deut. 28:1-14) Curses if Disobey (Deut. 28:15-68)
Joshua: The Conquest To Destroy the Canaanites because of their wickedness (Deut. 9:4-5)
Israel does not fully destroy them and Canaan is a problem throughout Israel’s history Time of Fulfillment: “Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” (Josh. 21:45) But will Israel be faithful? (23:12-13)
God’s King: Judges through 2 Chronicles The Promise: “he shall bruise your head” (Gen. 3:15) & “The scepter shall not depart from Judah” (Gen. 49:10) A continual question throughout the Bible is: Who will be the Serpent Crusher? In Deut. 17:14-20 we see that God will rule through a King who loves His Law
Judges: A cycle of sin and grace A leader is raised up, a Judge, delivers the people for sin and oppression but soon after Israel needs another Judge Need a Righteous King: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)
1 Samuel: A False Start Saul is elected because Israel wants a King like all the other nations (1 Sam. 8:5). Want a king instead of God as opposed to a king under God’s Rule David is eventually anointed as King
2 Samuel: The reign of David David rules under God: Brings the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem which symbolizes God’s presence and rule Not perfect and not the Serpent Crusher of Genesis 3:15 or the great ruler from Gen. 49:10
Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:11-16) God underlines the covenant promises made to Abraham in Gen. 12 (2 Sam. 7:9-11) Prophesizes of a future king greater than David: kingdom and throne established forever (2 Sam. 7:11-16) God will fulfill His promises through this great son of David, who is also a Son of God From 2 Sam. 7 onwards in the Bible, waiting for God’s King, the Son of David.
The kingdom of God will be established by him, the “Messiah” or “Christ,” the “anointed one.” 1 Kings 1—11: Solomon and the golden age Reach the pinnacle of the Old Testament in the beginning reign of Solomon, David’s Son We have the dedication of the Temple, God’s dwelling place “Blessed be the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant.” (1 Kings 8:56)
God’s people are in God’s place under God’s Rule and are enjoying God’s blessing (rest). God’s People: “Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea.”
(1 Ks. 4:20; promised in Gen. 32:12)
God’s Place: “Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt.”
(1 Ks. 4:21; promised in Ex. 23:31)
God’s Rule: “And Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan even to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon.”
(1 Ks. 4:25; promised in Deut. 12:10)
1 Kings 12—2 Kings 25: Disobedience, Division and Decline Under Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, Israel splits up in 922 B.C.: Northern Kingdom: Called Israel 10 northern and eastern tribes rebel against Rehoboam’s harsh rule and establish own kingdom under Jeroboam So people would not go to Jerusalem , King sets up two golden calves, declaring, “Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kings 12:28; compared to Ex. 32:4)
Southern Kingdom: Called Judah
Good and bad kings in both kingdoms. In 722 B.C. the Assyrians conquered and exile the Northern Kingdom “And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods.” (2 Kings 17:7)
In 597 B.C. the Babylonians defeat and exile Judah Reject God’s Rule and banished from God’s presence A Remnant in Judah kill the Puppet king and run back to Egypt (2 King 25:24-25). The Land God initially Redeemed His chosen people from.
The Partial Kingdom is a shadow of the perfect kingdom to be Fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Redemption from Slavery in Egypt is a shadow of the perfect redemption in Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 5:7)
God’s presence in the Tabernacle and Temple is a shadow of God dwelling with His people in Jesus (John 1:14) David as a great king is the shadow of a perfect king in Christ Jesus (Mark 12:35-37)
The Prophesied Kingdom (Ezra—Malachi) Prophet: God’s mouth piece to enforce the Mosaic Covenant in order for Israel to remain in blessing in the Land Moses is the first and great Prophet of God Northern Kingdom: Amos and Hosea (8th cent. B.C.) Southern Kingdom: Isaiah & Micah (8th cent. B.C.); Jeremiah, Ezekiel, & Daniel (7th cent. B.C. including Exile); Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (6th century B.C., post-exile)
17 prophetic books in the OT. 2 dominant themes based on God’s covenant: judgment and hope.
Judgment God warns His people of Judgment and Exile if they do not repent Loves His people and is faithful to them but will Judge in His Holiness and Righteousness
Hope God is committed to His covenant with Abraham, thus there is Hope Prophets speak of a new exodus, a new covenant, a new nation, a new Jerusalem, a new temple, a new king, and a new creation. Point to God’s perfected Kingdom: God’s people in God’s place under God’s Rule, enjoying Blessing God’s People A remnant people (Is. 10:20-21) A new exodus from exile (Jer. 16:14-15) “The Servant”: It’s Israel (Is. 44:1-2) but an individual who also rescues Israel (Is. 49:5-6; 52:13—53:12). The True Israel and dies for the remnant of Israel on their behalf to create a new Israel. Inclusion of the Nations: A light for Gentiles (Is. 49:6) being a blessing to the nations through God’s act to save Israel (Is. 60:1-3)
God’s Place New Temple: More magnificent than the first; a river flows from it giving life to the world (Ez. 40-48) New Creation: 17
“For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. 18
But be glad and rejoice forever
in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. (Is. 65:17-18)
God’s Rule The New Covenant (Jer. 31:31; Ez. 36:26-27; Heb. 8:61-3) Question: How can God bless continually disobedient and sinful people? Answer: Deal with sin to forgive people and enable people to know God intimately by changing them from within. “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ez. 36:26
By the Holy Spirit and inaugurated by Jesus’ Death: “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:20)
New King And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:14, the Son of Man)—see also Is. 9:6-7 and Ps. 110:1
Great Blessing Under God’s Rule we receive God’s blessing; return to the blessing of Eden
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. (Is. 11:6)
The Return from Exile 538 B.C. return from exile begins as the Babylonians are defeated by the Persians Restoration is not as the prophets foretold Great opposition and temple is rebuilt; under Ezra centrality of God’s law is reaffirmed; Nehemiah rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem
Jerusalem is not as great as it was and the new temple is not the one Ezekiel Prophesied Nehemiah ends with people disobeying God’s laws Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi prophesy with condemnation for covenantal unfaithfulness. Yet also hope to the future when God will act to fulfill His promises to enjoy all the blessings of the covenant.
The People are really still in Exile, waiting for the Lord to return to them and fulfill all His promises of Salvation God’s kingdom has not come because God’s king has not come. Hope in this King and his messenger that will be sent Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. (Mal. 3:1)
The Present Kingdom (The Gospels) Begin the New Testament: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matt. 1:1) God is on the verge of fulfilling His promises to Abraham in Genesis 12 and to David 2 Samuel 7!!
Mark 1:2-3 quotes Malachi and Isaiah foretelling a herald for God’s great King; which is John the Baptist Message: waiting is over and exile is almost over! Time of fulfillment! “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) Kingdom of God is Jesus’ way of summing up the prophetic hope that the Old Testament pointed to. Fulfillment in Christ All Old Testament promises are fulfilled in Christ:
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.” 2 Cor. 1:20
Interpret the OT Messianically or Christologically God’s People Adam the first man failed to image God and was evicted from the garden New start with Israel who had failed to be holy nation and a kingdom of priests and were sent into exile Jesus is the true Adam Descended from Adam (Luke 3:23-38) and identifies with Adam’s race in his baptism (Luke 3:21-22) Tempted by Satan and does not sin; perfectly obeys His Father On the Cross is willingly banished from God’s presence and takes upon Himself our punishment. Put our trust in Jesus, the new righteous Adam, enter into a new Humanity For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. (Rom. 5:19)
Jesus is the true Israel This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matt. 2:15 quoting Hosea 11:1) Jesus identified with the OT Exodus but is different as succeed in His temptation in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11) 12 disciples called reflect a new Israel, symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.” (Matt. 21:43). Old Israel rejects Jesus and Jesus returns the favor.
God’s Place
Jesus is the true tabernacle and temple where we may enter fully into God’s presence “And the Word became flesh and dwelt [lit. tabernacled] among us” (John 1:14) “But he was speaking about the temple of his body” (John 2:21) “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:37-38 alluding to Ez. 47)
God’s Rule Jesus Introduces the New Covenant Fulfills the Mosaic Law (Matt. 5:17) Dies to take on Himself the curses for breaking God’s covenant so we would receive the blessing (Gal. 3:13-14); Righteous requirements are fulfilled in us (Rom. 8:4) Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. (Heb. 9:15)
Jesus is the New King Miracles point to Jesus being King, signs of the New Creation He has come to establish Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” (Matt. 12:22-23) Kingdom of God has come (Matt. 12:22-28),and thus so as the King
Jesus is the source of God’s Blessing Rest is the goal of creation: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Rest, the Sabbath Day, symbolizes the perfection of God’s creation
The Cross: Salvation through Substitution God’s Holiness and Justice demand that evil and sin be punished. God sends His Son to take the penalty for our sin in our place Jesus is the one to whom the Passover Lambs and all the sacrifices of the OT point. In Christ God’s Righteous Anger or Wrath is propitiated to bring reconciliation “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18)
God’s Rule
Jesus as Prophet, Priest & King
Blessing God’s People
God’s Place
Prophet announces God’s Rule, His Character and our need to repent and turn to God. Priest provides reconciliation between God and His people. King sits enthroned with Authority and in control of God’s Place, enforcing God’s Rule
The Proclaimed Kingdom (Acts—Revelation) The Last Days: Time between Jesus’ 1st and 2nd Coming Heb 2:1
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son (cf. 2 Tim. 3:1; James 5:3)
The “Already but Not Yet”: Live in the intersection of “this present age” and the “age to come” (e.g. Matt. 12:32).
Belong to the New Creation and the Kingdom of God if in Christ, but still wait for its fulfillment
Jesus’ Delay is for the Gospel to be proclaimed to all nations and for people to repent and return to Jesus the King
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should
perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Jesus sends us as His witnesses, clothed in the Power of the Holy Spirit to Proclaimed His Kingdom We enter His Kingdom through the forgiveness of Sins enabled by the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ Luke 24:46
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 49
47
48
and that repentance and
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the
end will come. (see Acts 1:1-11)
Pentecost: The Holy Spirit given to help the Good News of Jesus Christ to be spread throughout the Nations God reserves the effects of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11). Now the nations are no longer divided because of the Gospel, in which God is calling together a multinational family. In the book of Acts the Gospel spreads from “Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8), ending in Rome the center of the known world.
The Work of the Holy Spirit Brings us a New
Produces Holiness (Rom. 8:3)
Illumines the Scriptures
Equips us to serve Jesus
Glorifies Jesus (John
Birth (John 3)
Conviction of Sin (John 16:8)
(2 Pt. 1:21)
Christ (1 Cor. 12:7)
16:14)
The Kingdom of God Spreads as the Holy Spirit works through the Proclamation of the Gospel, during these last days. God’s People The Church: The Israel of God Gal 6:14
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I
to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
16
And as for all who walk by
this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. Rom. 2:28
For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.
29
But a Jew is one inwardly, and
circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
God’s Place The Church: God’s Temple 1 Cor.. 3:16 Eph. 3:20
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
21
in whom the whole
structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
God’s Rule & Blessing The Law of The Spirit Rom. 8:2 Gal 3:13
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged
on a tree”—
14
so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised
Spirit through faith.
Jesus was Cursed so that we would be Blessed Fruitful Frustration As the First Fruits of the Kingdom of God we know blessing but are frustrated at sin, waiting for Jesus’ Return to restore all things to their original intentions Rom. 8:23
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for
adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
The Perfected Kingdom (Revelation 21 & 22) The Book of Revelation: The Revelation of Jesus Rev. 1:1
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it
known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even
to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.
God pulls back the curtain to reveal was is going on in Human History. Visions designed to strengthen believers to preserve despite their suffering. To Worship Jesus.
Throne in Heaven God is on the Throne (Rev. 4:2) and is in control, in the midst of persecution. On this Throne is the Slain Lamb: Jesus (Rev. 5:6). Jesus has suffered and triumphed and guarantees those who suffer with Him will also triumph with Him.
Longing for the New All man have longed for Utopia (Marxism, Globalism, etc.). All attempts have failed because we do not get to the root of the problem: Power of Evil, originating from Satan Himself—the self enthronement and rejection of God’s rule
The Fall of Babylon Rev. 17:5
And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.”
Babylon throughout the Bible Tower of Babel (Genesis 11): Symbol of human arrogance and pride Kingdom that Conquered Judah: Destroyed the Temple and Exiled God’s people (2 Kings 24 & 25; Jeremiah)
Babylon represents the World: Non-Christian society organized without Reference to God Called a Prostitute (Rev. 17:2): Spiritual Adultery in the seduction of Christians to live for her instead of the one true God.
As the People of Judah in the Sixth century B.C. we are in exile (1 Pt. 1:1): Belong to Heaven but live in a Foreign Land: Babylon. Hostile to us and need to resist her seduction because she will be destroyed. Rev. 18:1
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was
made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
The Beast, the False Prophet and Satan are judged alongside Babylon and thrown into the lake of sulfur (Rev. 20:10) Justice is done and evil is destroyed. Judgment is terrible but is it also Good News. Rev. 19:1
After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2
for his judgments are true and just;
for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
The Promised New Creation Once Babylon is over thrown, God creates a new world he promised through the prophets. The Last 2 Chapters of Revelation.
The New Creation Rev. 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
The Fall affected the whole created world. Thus Salvation will renew the entire created world. A Physical World (1 Cor. 15:35-49). Rev. 21:24
By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, ….
26
They will bring into it
the glory and the honor of the nations.
No more Death or Decay (Rev. 21:4) The Harmony & Shalom Adam and Eve originally experienced with Creation is Restored. Eden is Restored. River flows forth and the Tree of Life Rev. 22:1
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of
the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
The New Jerusalem
Rev. 21:2
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
In contrast to the Tower of Babel which attempts to ascend to Heaven, The New Jerusalem descends to Earth. Cannot create a perfect world through our own efforts A City: God desires us to live in perfect Community united in Christ, not isolated from one another. A multitude of People from all Nations and Tribes that none can count Rev. 7:9
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples
and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands Reverse of the curse at the Tower of Babel.
The New Temple Rev. 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will
be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”
In Eden God dwelled with Adam and Eve. In the wilderness God dwelled with His people in the Tabernacle In Jerusalem God dwelled with His people in the Temple Jesus Tabernacled in His Incarnation Through the Holy Spirit, God dwells in His people the Church Here in Rev. 21 & 22 Ezekiel’s Vision of the Temple is fulfilled in its entirety The New Jerusalem is a perfect Cubed Rev. 21:16
The city lies foursquare; its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its
length and width and height are equal.
12,000 stadia= 1,500 miles (area as large as the known world in John’s day) It is the Holy of Holies. All of the New Creation God will fill with His presence. The Whole place is a Temple. Rev. 21:22
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.
The New Heavens and the New Earth: The Kingdom of God God’s Rule The Throne of God and the Lamb are at the Center with a River flowing, bringing life and prosperity to all (Rev. 22:1-2)
Blessing
God’s People From Every Nation who trust in Christ
Rev. 21:23
God’s Place The New Creation, The New Jerusalem, The New Temple
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
Our Response: Be apart of the Message and Mission of Jesus the Proclamation of the Good News, yearning for His return to restore all things to be under His Gracious and Loving Reign.
Rev. 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.