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(weekly I write a five minute “doctrine talk” based on the doctrine in the passage of scripture we are studying in “People of the Promised Land 1 – Bible Study Fellowship”)
The Kingdom of God is a theme found throughout the Bible both in Old and New Testament Scriptures. In the New Testament it may be referred to as the Kingdom of Heaven as in the Gospels. Regardless it is describing God’s sovereign rule and reign throughout the course of human history. In the Old Testament and specifically in our text for this week (2 Samuel 7) there is clear evidence of God’s established rule over all creation and all early kingdoms. God promised to establish His eternal kingdom through the line of David. He promised David that his descendant, the Messiah, would reign forever over a Kingdom with no end. 2 Samuel 7:16 “your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”
The Kingdom of God is both now and yet to come.
Today God rules and reigns over all as mentioned in Revelation 7:15. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His [j]Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”
The Kingdom of God is yet to come as Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10 “Your Kingdom come”. So how does God’s Kingdom come today? It comes as the gospel is shared and people embrace the reign and rule of God in their lives. I had to ask myself this question, perhaps you should as well…how am I living a “Kingdom coming life”? What does that look like?
Using David’s prayer to God in 2 Samuel 7:18-27, listen as I highlight just a few of the words of his heart as we use him as an example of “Kingdom coming life”: “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you…You have established your people Israel as your very own forever and you, Lord have become their God…do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. Then the people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty God is over Israel!’
Do you hear the surrendered heart to God’s will and kingdom, beyond his own agenda and desires?
Here are the questions I was challenged with in my heart as I re-read that section of scripture:
If I am living a “Current Kingdom Life” am I enjoying the access to my King?
The Holy Bible is the revelation of God. How do I approach my time in His Word? As a “half-to” or a “want-to”? Do I have the expectation to hear His voice and be changed? What interferes with my time with God? Even “good things” like exercise and time with family can become idols and steal away the time I enjoy with my King.
If I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God do I trust His rule, rein and justice? Who am I “trying to convince to Christ ”? Am I manufacturing my witness fretting about what to say, or am I allowing the Spirit to speak for me?
If I trust my King is coming, do I live with hope knowing that whatever the day brings we are one day closer to the consummation of the Kingdom? When I see suffering, sorrows and violence do I react with compassion but grieve with hope?
The Kingdom of God is now and is coming. Rejoice sisters your King is coming again!