I like to send out little booklets instead of cards for Christmas. The topic of my most recent mailing was the gospel of the kingdom, something that Jesus and the apostles spoke about quite often. This study elicited the most responses and “thank you” notes I’ve ever received, so I’d like to start posting it in a new series.
He’s Coming Back!
At Christmas, we celebrate the humble first coming of Jesus. We also see cards bearing a familiar Christmas Scripture about His return in glory.
The next verse in Isaiah talks more about this future government upon His shoulder.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:7)
The Gospel of the Kingdom
Have you ever wondered about “the gospel of the kingdom” that Jesus talked about so much? (105 times in the four Gospels!)
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom … (Matthew 4:23)
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom … (Matthew 9:35)
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations … (Matthew 24:14)
… Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14)
I was taught that the kingdom of God (also called the kingdom of heaven) referred to the spirit realm or heaven. However, I’ve discovered a multitude of Scriptures in the Old and New Testaments about an actual coming kingdom on earth, such as the “Christmas Card Verse,” Isaiah 9:6-7.
The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth
Jesus was quoting from the Old Testament when he said, “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. (Psalms 25:13)
… But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. (Psalms 37:9)
But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalms 37:11)
For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth … (Psalms 37:22)
The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever. (Psalms 37:29)
Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. (Psalms 37:34)
Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified. (Isaiah 60:21)
Our Inheritance
God promised Abraham that he would be the heir of the world.
For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” (Romans 4:13)
Those who belong to Christ, who call Jesus their Lord and believe in His resurrection (Romans 10:9), will also be heirs of the world.
And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29)
What Will the Kingdom Be Like?
Psalms 72 has a lot to say about Christ’s kingdom on earth:
1 Give the king Your judgments, O God, And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.
When Jesus Christ, the Son of God, reigns on the earth, there will finally be justice. The wicked will no longer be in the world to oppress people.
2 He will judge Your people with righteousness, And Your poor with justice. 4 He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.
The righteous will flourish in an abundance of peace.
7 In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace …
Jesus will rule the entire earth.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.
The Lord Jesus will be revered worldwide as King of kings and Lord of lords.
9 Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him … 11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
Jesus will rule not only with justice but with loving compassion.
12 For He will deliver the needy when he cries, The poor also, and him who has no helper. 13 He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy. 14 He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.
There will be no more food shortages in the kingdom.
16 There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
All the people of the earth will be blessed in Christ’s kingdom, and all nations will call Him blessed.
17 His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed.
The whole earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.
19 And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
Coming up next – Who Will Reign With Christ?
