1. The Kingdom of God The Mediatorial Kingdom in the Epistles

2. Some General Comments about the Epistles 21 of the 27 books in the NT are epistles 21 of the 27 books in the NT are epistles 13 were written by the Apostle Paul13 were written by the Apostle Paul 3 by the Apostle John3 by the Apostle John 2 by the Apostle Peter2 by the Apostle Peter 1 by the author of Hebrews1 by the author of Hebrews 1 each by James and Jude, brothers of the Lord Jesus1 each by James and Jude, brothers of the Lord Jesus The span of time during which most of the epistles were written was between 45 and 70 AD. (The Epistles of John were written between 85 and 90 AD). The span of time during which most of the epistles were written was between 45 and 70 AD. (The Epistles of John were written between 85 and 90 AD).

4. The Significance of the Epistles The gospels give answers as to who Jesus was and why He came. Acts is an action-packed narrative of what Jesus continued to do and teach through the Spirit in the new institution of the church. Acts still leaves a lot of questions concerning the church. These questions are answered in the epistles, which are direct revelation from God to the Church.

5. The Church in the Epistles The epistles are addressed to churches or members of churches; not one is addressed to saints of “the kingdom of heaven.” The epistles are addressed to churches or members of churches; not one is addressed to saints of “the kingdom of heaven.” The frequent occurrence of the term in the epistles suggests that they are concerned primarily with this particular body of the saved. This term occurs: The frequent occurrence of the term evkklhsi,a in the epistles suggests that they are concerned primarily with this particular body of the saved. This term occurs: 3 times in the Gospels (all 3 in Matthew)3 times in the Gospels (all 3 in Matthew) 19 times in the Book of Acts19 times in the Book of Acts 67 times in the Epistles (87 times including the Apocalypse)67 times in the Epistles (87 times including the Apocalypse)

6. The Church in the Epistles The epistles are chiefly concerned with the career of the church on earth in time, between its birth at Pentecost and its completion at the rapture. For the church this period is a time of: The epistles are chiefly concerned with the career of the church on earth in time, between its birth at Pentecost and its completion at the rapture. For the church this period is a time of: humiliation (Phil 3:21)humiliation (Phil 3:21) testing (Jas 1:12)testing (Jas 1:12) trouble and persecution (2 Cor 4:8-9)trouble and persecution (2 Cor 4:8-9) suffering and groaning (Rom 8:18-23)suffering and groaning (Rom 8:18-23) patient endurance (Jas 5:7-8)patient endurance (Jas 5:7-8) refining and perfecting (Jas 1:2-4)refining and perfecting (Jas 1:2-4) agonizing conflict (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7)agonizing conflict (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7) unrelenting struggle toward a goal which lies beyond this age and world (Phil 3:12-14)unrelenting struggle toward a goal which lies beyond this age and world (Phil 3:12-14) In the present then, the church walks by faith and lives in hope, enduring hardship and keeping itself fixed on the things above. In the present then, the church walks by faith and lives in hope, enduring hardship and keeping itself fixed on the things above. All of this stands in sharp contrast with the prophetic picture of the kingdom as an age of rest and blessing, which is the goal of all human history under God. All of this stands in sharp contrast with the prophetic picture of the kingdom as an age of rest and blessing, which is the goal of all human history under God.

7. The Kingdom in the Epistles The word “kingdom” (basileia) is used 18 times in the epistles, 8 in the expression “kingdom of God” and 7 in connection with the kingdom being assigned to the Lord Jesus Christ. (The other 3 uses are in 1 Thess 2:12; Heb 12:28, and James 2:5). The word “kingdom” (basileia) is used 18 times in the epistles, 8 in the expression “kingdom of God” and 7 in connection with the kingdom being assigned to the Lord Jesus Christ. (The other 3 uses are in 1 Thess 2:12; Heb 12:28, and James 2:5). Some of these usages specifically assert that the kingdom is yet future to the present age of the church (2 Tim 2:12; 4:1, 18; 2 Pet 1:11). Some of these usages specifically assert that the kingdom is yet future to the present age of the church (2 Tim 2:12; 4:1, 18; 2 Pet 1:11). Others express futurity through the concept of the kingdom as an inheritance (1 Cor 6:9, 10; 15:50; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:5; James 2:5). Others express futurity through the concept of the kingdom as an inheritance (1 Cor 6:9, 10; 15:50; Gal 5:21; Eph 5:5; James 2:5). The idea that Christ and the saints are reigning in the kingdom of God in the present age is refuted by the apostle Paul (1 Cor 4:8). The idea that Christ and the saints are reigning in the kingdom of God in the present age is refuted by the apostle Paul (1 Cor 4:8). Such texts as Rom 14:17, 1 Cor 4:20, 1 Cor 15:24, Col 1:13, Col 4:11, 1 Thess 2:12, 2 Thess 1:5 and Heb 12:28 can all be harmonized with the concept of a future kingdom. Such texts as Rom 14:17, 1 Cor 4:20, 1 Cor 15:24, Col 1:13, Col 4:11, 1 Thess 2:12, 2 Thess 1:5 and Heb 12:28 can all be harmonized with the concept of a future kingdom. It is important not to confuse the throne of God in heaven with the Davidic throne on the earth (Rev 3:21; Matt 25:31). It is important not to confuse the throne of God in heaven with the Davidic throne on the earth (Rev 3:21; Matt 25:31).

8. The Kingdom during the Present Church Age Some necessary distinctions Some necessary distinctions Christ rules His church today (though He is never called king of the church), but this rule is different from that of the mediatorial kingdom.Christ rules His church today (though He is never called king of the church), but this rule is different from that of the mediatorial kingdom. Christ also continues to rule, as always, in the universal kingdom.Christ also continues to rule, as always, in the universal kingdom. Christ’s rule in His mediatorial kingdom will be very different from both His control over the church and His providential rule of the universe. To confuse these different rules brings serious consequences (see McClain, pp. 438-39).Christ’s rule in His mediatorial kingdom will be very different from both His control over the church and His providential rule of the universe. To confuse these different rules brings serious consequences (see McClain, pp. 438-39).

9. The Kingdom during the Present Church Age The present relation of the Basileia (kingdom) to the Ekklesia (church) The present relation of the Basileia (kingdom) to the Ekklesia (church) During the period from Pentecost to the second coming of Christ, the mediatorial kingdom is said to be in abeyance.During the period from Pentecost to the second coming of Christ, the mediatorial kingdom is said to be in abeyance. This kingdom does have a present existence, however, in two senses:This kingdom does have a present existence, however, in two senses: God is today saving and preparing in the church the members of the royal family who are destined to rule with Christ in the future established kingdom. God is today saving and preparing in the church the members of the royal family who are destined to rule with Christ in the future established kingdom. When a believer is born again, he becomes part of this kingdom to be revealed in the future (Col 1:13). When a believer is born again, he becomes part of this kingdom to be revealed in the future (Col 1:13). The church of the present age enjoys many of the spiritual blessings which in the Old Testament were predicted in connection with the messianic kingdom of the future:The church of the present age enjoys many of the spiritual blessings which in the Old Testament were predicted in connection with the messianic kingdom of the future: Pardon for sin Pardon for sin Justification through faith by means of imputed righteousness Justification through faith by means of imputed righteousness Regeneration Regeneration Coming of the Holy Spirit upon men Coming of the Holy Spirit upon men The parables in Matthew 13 describe the present time period as one of preparation for the establishment of the kingdom at the end of this age.The parables in Matthew 13 describe the present time period as one of preparation for the establishment of the kingdom at the end of this age.

10. Next Week: The Mediatorial Kingdom in the Apocalypse Part I

11. Guidelines for Review of The Meaning of the Millennium Your review should be between 1.5 and 3 pages in length, single-spaced, and should include the following: Your review should be between 1.5 and 3 pages in length, single-spaced, and should include the following: A general summary of the content of the book as a whole.A general summary of the content of the book as a whole. A summary of each one of the four views, followed by your own evaluation of each view’s strength and weaknesses.A summary of each one of the four views, followed by your own evaluation of each view’s strength and weaknesses. Your conclusion as to which is the most biblical view and why.Your conclusion as to which is the most biblical view and why. Grammar and spelling will count, so please have someone else read your review before you turn it in. Also, please send it as an electronic file (in Microsoft Word if possible) via email. Grammar and spelling will count, so please have someone else read your review before you turn it in. Also, please send it as an electronic file (in Microsoft Word if possible) via email.