1. The Kingdom of God Some Notes

2. The kingship of God (in Aramaic sense) “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.” (Revelation 12.10) Kingdom = sovereignty, rule The rule of God

3. Men and nations did not acknowledge Israel’s God as king. The hope of a time when God would assert his authority in such a way that all men would be obedient to his will. (Is 24.23) The expectation that God would finally establish his Kingdom.

4. When Jesus declares that the Kingdom of God has drawn near, he is speaking within the context of this expectation.

5. “The time has come…the Kingdom of God is near…” (NIV) “The time is fulfilled” “The time of waiting for the kingdom has ended.” “God’s appointed time (‘kairos’) for his kingdom has come to pass.” The arrival of the time for the kingdom to be revealed.

6. “If it is by the spirit of God that I drive out the demons then the kingdom of God has come to you.” (Mt 12.28) The time is over for crying “How long?” for the Kingdom of God. It has made its entrance into history, though in a hidden fashion. It will come in increasing measures as God’s saving acts are accomplished until its final revelation in glory. The Kingdom of God has been inaugurated and is pressing on to its consummation.

7. The arrival of the kingdom of God is good news. But it brings judgment as well as salvation, and so demands repentance as well as faith. The proclamation of the kingdom by Jesus is inseparably bound up with a call for a response from his hearers. “Repent, and believe the good news.”

8. Though the final coming of the Kingdom lies in the future (9.1), it has nevertheless drawn near in the person of Jesus himself (1.15). -- The one with whom God is well pleased. --The one who is obedient to God’s will, who has given the Spirit of God. --The one who has battle with Satan. Jesus is the very embodiment of the Kingdom.

9. Because he himself lives in obedience to God’s rule that he can announce the dawning of God’s Kingdom and demonstrates its presence in his miracles. Jesus’ teaching = His proclamation of the Kingdom of God His proclamation involves healing (the power of God’s Kingdom in Jesus.)

10. Mark’s understanding of the Kingdom of God is best presented in the Parable of the Sower (chapter 4)S The secret of the Kingdom is given to those who respond to Jesus’ teaching (4.11). It is present already like seed (4.26). Hidden, invisible.

11. The authority with which Jesus presents his message and challenges his hearers to respond. Conversion to a new way of living: Repent (signifying forgiveness). Believe ‘the good news’.

12. Greek ‘metanoia’: Change of mind. OT Hebrew term for ‘repent’ is ‘turn’ (‘shub’). Ezekiel 18.30-32 An alteration in the total moral attitude. A profound change in life’s direction. A conversion which affects the whole of conduct.