The Synonymous Expressions For
"Kingdom". This Is Appendix
112 From The Companion Bible.
For a true understanding of the new Testament,
it is essential that the "Word of Truth" should be
"rightly divided" (2 Timothy
2:15) as to the various
usages of the word "kingdom" in all the different
combinations and contexts in which we find it.
Each has its own peculiar and particular sense, which
must not be confused with another.
As to the word basileia, it denotes
sovereignty, which requires the actual
presence of a sovereign, or king. There can be no kingdom
apart from a king. We all know of countries which were once
"kingdoms" but are now "republics", for the
simple but sufficient reason that they have no "king", but
are governed by the "public", which is sovereign.
The countries remain the same, have the same peoples,
the same cities, the same mountains and rivers, but they are no longer
kingdoms.
The common practice of taking the Kingdom as meaning
the Church (See Appendix 113),
has been the source of incalculable misunderstanding; and not
"trying the things that differ" (Philippians
1: 10, see note there)
has led to great confusion in the interpretation of the whole of the New
Testament.
The following definitions may help towards a clearer
view of many important passages :--
- "The
Kingdom of Heaven". The word "heaven" is generally in
this connection in the plural, "of (or from) the heavens".
For the difference between the use of the singular and plural of this
word, see the notes on Matthew
6:9, 10. This expression
is used only in the Gospel of Matthew, as being specially in harmony
with the purpose of that Gospel. See notes in the (Companion Bible pages
1304-5), and Appendix 114.
It is the dispensational term;
and is used sometimes of Messiah's Kingdom on earth, and
sometimes of the heavenly sovereignty over the earth. It
is not from or out of (Greek ek, Appendix 104. vii)
"this world" (Greek kosmos Appendix 129. 1).
This sovereignty comes from heaven, because the King is to come from
thence (John 18:36). It was to this
end He was born, and this was the first subject of His ministry (see Appendix 119).
That Kingdom (Matthew 4:17, etc.) was
rejected, as was also the further proclamation of it in Acts
3:19-26 (according to
the prophetic parable of Matthew 22:2-7). Thenceforth
the earthly realization of this Kingdom was postponed, and
is now in abeyance until the King shall be sent from heaven (Acts
3:20). The
"secrets" of this Kingdom (Matthew 13:11) pertained to
the postponement of its earthly realization, on account of its being
rejected.
- "The
Kingdom of God" is the sovereignty of God, which is moral and
universal. It existed from the beginning, and will know no end. It is
over all, and embraces all. See Appendix 114.
- "The
Kingdom of the Father". (Matthew 13:43) is not
universal, but has regard to relationship, and "a
heavenly calling" (Hebrews 3:1), and to the
heavenly sphere of the Kingdom, in its relation to the earthly. It is
sovereignty exercised toward obedient sons, when the Son of man shall
have gathered out of His Kingdom "all things that offend"
(Matthew 13:41). Compare Daniel
7:25-27. Matthew
25:31-46. Luke
20:34-36. The way of
entrance into this may be seen in John 3:3. It is going on
now concurrently with No. 5.
- "The
Kingdom of the Son of man". (Matthew 16:28). This aspect of
"the Kingdom of heaven" has regard to Israel on
earth (compare Daniel 7:13, 14, 18, 21,
22),
as distinct from the "sons" who, as partakers of "a
heavenly calling" (Hebrews 3:1), will possess
the heavenly sphere as sons of the resurrection (Luke 20:34-36. Compare
1 Corinthians
15:23. Revelation
20:4-6). These two
spheres are distinct, though they are one. No. 3 concerns "the
saints of the most high [places]" (Daniel 7:18, 24). No. 4 concerns
"the people of the saints of the most high".
These have their portion in "the Kingdom under the
whole heaven", which has regard to earthly sovereignty, in which
"all dominions shall serve and obey Him" (Daniel
7:27).
These two would have had their realization
even then, had Israel repented at the summons of the Lord, and of
"them that heard Him" in Acts 3:19-26. In that case
the later revelation of the "Mystery" (or the great
secret) which, with its exanastasis and its
"heavenward Call" (Philippians 3:11, 14), was
hidden in God, would have remained in the keeping of the
Father's Divine sovereignty.
- "The
Kingdom of His dear Son". Greek: the Kingdom of the Son of His love,
or of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13), has regard to
quite another sphere, above all heavens, and refers to the sovereignty
of God's beloved Son as made the "Head over all things to His
ekklesia, which is His body, the fulness of Him that
filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:10, 20-23). See also
Ephesians 5:5.
This sovereignty had been "kept
secret" (Romans 16:25), "hid in
God" (Ephesians 3:9), "hid
from ages and from generations" (Colossians 1:25); but after the
Kingdom (No. 4) proclaimed by the Lord and by "them that heard
Him" (Hebrews 2:4) had been
postponed, it was revealed and "made known" (Ephesians 3)
for the "obedience of faith" (Romans 16:26). The subjects
of this Divine sovereignty, on their believing this subsequent
revelation, are "sealed" (or designated) for their
inheritance, which is to be enjoyed with Christ (Ephesians
1:13).
This relates to the position of those
who come under that sovereignty.
- "The
Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ".
(2 Peter
1:11). This has
regard to No. 5, but was then future (not having been revealed when
Peter wrote); but it relates to the outward display of His
sovereignty in millennial glory; while No. 5 relates to the inward
position and experimental enjoyment of it in present grace.
- "The
Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ" (or Messiah). (Revelation
11:15). This has
regard to the end of the present time of abeyance of Nos. 3 and 4, and
the millennial manifestation of both by Divine power, and in glory. See
also Revelation 12:10.
At the end of the thousand years, No. 1, and
perhaps others of them will cease, and be absorbed in the Kingdom of God
(No. 2).
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