George E. Ladd states  that ' In Jesus, God has taken the initiative to seek out the sinner, to bring lost men into the blessing of His reign. He was, in short, the seeking God.

KOG Def:   It is an act of God where be follows out His sovereign will toward mankind.
                    It is not an act of man, it is a divine act of God.

Scripture
Matt. 10:7 (Lk. 10:9,11); Matt. 11:12 (Lk. 16:16);  Matt. 12:28 (Lk. 11:20); Lk. 17:20-21; Rom. 14:17;  Col. 1:13

Parables
Def:  Very short story , it conveys spiritual truth by making a vivid comparison, Truth is related to a natural event in common life experience, usually expresses a single meaning, it draws the hearers into the story and demands they make some kind of decision, not all the elements of the parable have spiritual meaning.

 The parables given in Mark 4 and Matthew 13 are called the 'Kingdom Parables' .

Mk. 4:3-9, 13-20   The Four Soils:
 1. This parable says that the kingdom of God has come  among men  (presently) but that not all will receive it.

 2.  Four soils is main idea: hard heart, shallow heart, over cluttered heart, good heart.
      -If you focus on the  sower you see that the Gospel (seed) will not always produce growth, it is only those  whose  soil is
       properly  prepared will fruit grow to  harvest.
      -As we sow, regardless of the soil (hearts of  individuals) God will provide growth and harvest Will come.

 3. The sun represents persecution that comes because of  the Word. Persecution helps believers grow but sunshine will  kill a
     plant w/o good roots.
     -This explains why some who profess Christ do not last. Their faith is weak, their understanding meager, their decision
       insincere. Therefore it is possible to believe but still not be saved! (John 2:23-25) Only those where fruit is present is there
       saving faith in the heart.

 4. God is the sower (Jer. 31:27)
      Jesus is the sower...the great teacher
      HS is the teacher...it is he who inspires the sower and  who waters the seed.
      All Believers are sowers. Matt. 28:19-20

Question:  What did you get?
                   How do you interpret this passage?

Mk. 4:21-25   The Lamp and measure:
 1.  One who accepts the Gospel of the Kingdom will be  given a share of the kingdom.

Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43 The Tares:
 1. This parable shows that the kingdom has come into the       world but has not  disrupted society. Those in the  kingdom are
     to live among the evil in the world  until God  separates them at the future coming of the kingdom.

 2. Main focus is on those who will not enter the kingdom.
     -Main idea for Believers:
        -No Insulation from evil (vs. 25-26)
        -No Isolation from evil (vs. 27-29)
        -No Indefinitness w/evil. (vs. 30)
     -This parable has a strong current kingdom meaning but have a future consummation when Jesus comes to harvest.

 3. Good seed = is not the Gospel but believers
     Field = is not the heart but the world

 4. Field  = the church/Christianity. Therefore there are both  saved and unsaved in the church.

Question: What did you get?
                 How do you interpret this?

Mk. 4:30-32; Matt. 13:31-32 The Mustard Seed:
 1.  Shows that the kingdom, which will someday be fully  developed, is small and unimpressive in its present shape.

 2. There is a deliberate act of planting
     -Smallest seed w/ insignificant beginning which later  becomes the greatest of the herbs shows us the supremacy of
      Christianity over all other religions.

 3.  The plant is symbolic of world power
     -The mustard plant is the kingdom of God
     -The birds are symbolic of Satan and his demons
     -Abnormal growth of KOG makes it possible for Satan to work in it since it is diversified and has many branches for Satan
      to sit .  (Dan. 4:12; Ez. 17:23)

Question: What did you get?
                  How do you interpret this?

 (The third interpretation is quite different. It makes the KOG to  look evil. Is this saying something bad about denominations?)

Matt. 13:33  The Leaven:
 1. Similar to the mustard seed in that God has entered the world in a shape that is hardly noticeable.

 2. Emphasis on insignificant beginning.
     -KOG permeates all the world, influencing for good, even  those who regret it.
     -With Jesus coming, the dough begins to rise.
     -Emphasis on the transforming power of the Gospel in  the Kingdom.
     -Present w/ future consummation

 3.  In Bible leaven = evil
     -removed from homes at Passover (Ex. 12:15-19)
     -Excluded from sacrifices (Ex. 34:5)
     -Jesus used it to show hypocrisy (Lk. 12:1) and
      false teaching (Matt. 16:6-12)
     -This is about the spread of evil in the kingdom. Evil  people living as people in the church.

Question: What did you get?
                 How do you interpret this?

(Point #2 sounds post-millenial. or universalist. All things will eventually get better and will be positively influenced for good
     by the Gospel.)
(Point #3 sounds different than the other interpretations. In fact the opposite. Leaven is evil not the Gospel. What do you think?
     Is this author equating the KOG w/ the church?)

Matt. 13:44  The Treasure:
 1. The main idea here is that  the kingdom is priceless and should be sought after.

 2.  The way of the kingdom is the way of Joy.
     -1. Of discovery  2. of response  3. of total commitment
     -It is present and can be enjoyed now.

 3. Must the lost (unbeliever) purchase the world to gain Christ? And then hide Christ again from others?
     -The field = world
     -Israel has a future. Politically since 1948 but it is still far  from what it ought and will be. Israel is still God's  treasure and
      one day He will establish her in His  kingdom.

Question:  What did you get?
                  How do you interpret this?

(What about the 3rd point. Again, he is much different than the other two. Do you see a pattern?
  From what theological background does this man belong? Do you agree with his interpretation?)

Matt. 13:45-46  The Pearl:
 1. Same idea as for the hidden treasure. (Point #1)

 2.  There is a unique magnificence to the object.
     -Decided action
     -Unprecedented gain
     -total commitment to kingdom living.
     -Present and it can be found now
 

3.  It is not a picture of a sinner finding Christ but of Christ  seeking the church. (Rom. 3:11; Lk. 19:10; Rom. 6:23)
    -No gift can be bought and still be a free gift.
    -Pearl = church (eph. 5:25-27)
    -Merchant = Christ

Question:  What did you get?
                  How do you interpret this?

(Point #3 kind of makes sense here in light of the related Scripture. But...is Christ trying to make a point about the enterance of the kingdom or the hearts of those in the kingdom?)
 

Matt. 13:47-52 The Draw Net:
 1. The idea here is that even the community created by the kingdoms present activity won't be a pure one, there will  be a
     future separation.

 2. Similar to wheat and tares
     -Avoids separatism in this present age. We are not to  isolate ourselves from the 'world'
     -The church is not the net, this parable is concentrating  on the whole world.
     -The net is the total impact of the kingdom on the  world.
     -Remember that not all aspects or parts of a parable  have a spiritual meaning. A parable is not an allegory.

 3. End times event where believers will be in heaven. this speaks of the people (Gentiles) already living on the earth at the time
     of the millennium. Some will be saved  and some will not.

Question: What did you get?
                  How do you interpret this?

(Point #3 sees the KOG basically as a future event, not a present reality. Do you think this interpretation is in keeping with the other parables and in what Jesus is trying to say?)

Secret common to all the Parables
         In Jesus, God's rule (kingdom) has come into human existence in a new spiritual form. God's present kingdom plan
 This is an age of seed sowing.  Believers sharing the Gospel in the field of the world while we all wait for the harvest to come.

Conclusion
         It seems very clear from these and other passages that the kingdom of God is a present reality. The mystery of the kingdom is seen in these passages. God has moved, within history, to redeem men and that in doing so, redeemed man has inherited the kingdom, now!

THE FUTURE KINGDOM OF GOD

Question: Why is it important to study the FUTURE aspect of  the KOG?

         -Encourages  hope for the Believer.
         -Encourages evangelism
         -Comforts us with the knowledge of the end of tribulation
         -Makes us responsible for our walks now.
         -We get to not only see but participate in God's plan.

Old Testament

         The Old Testament prophets foretold of a time when perfect peace and prosperity will return to the land and to the people.  There will be a time when God will return to dwell in the midst of the people and reign over them forever.  Associated with this time is a time of judgment like no other known to man.

         God will punish the nations: Obad. 15
         God will punish Israel: Amos 5:18-20
         God will punish Judah: Joel 1:15
         God will punish all the earth: Zeph. 1:14-18
         God will allow those who repent before this coming judgment to be saved from experiencing it.
           -Joel 2:30-32    Mal. 4:5-6

 This time has not come. This is the future , eschatological nature of the kingdom of God.

Other OT terms for Future KOG
         -On that day: Isa. 24:21
         -Days are coming when: Jer. 9:25-26; Amos 4:2
         -Then: Mal. 3:5
         -In those days: Jer. 33:16
         -In the latter days: Hos. 3:5

New Testament

Parables

 -Primary emphasis on PRESENT but related to FUTURE
     -Wheat and Tares: Matt. 13:24-30: Future separation  and harvest by Christ.
     -Draw Net: Matt. 13:47-50: Future separation and harvest  by Christ.

-Primary emphasis on ETHICS but related to FUTURE
     -Fig Tree: Matt. 24:29-36: Sign of the Coming of the Son of Man.
     -Thief: Matt. 24:35-44: Same as Fig Tree
     -10 Virgins:  Matt. 25:1-13: Same as Fig Tree
     -Talents and Rewards: Matt. 25:14-30: Future settling of accounts.
     -Watchful Servant: Lk. 12:35-48: Sign of Coming of the Son of Man.
     -Great Supper: Lk. 14:15-24: Future Blessings to Believers

NT terms for Future KOG
 There is a strong  connection in the NT with the coming of the KOG and judgment.

     -Day of judgment: Matt. 10:25; 2 Pet. 2:9; 1 Jn. 4:17
     -the judgment: Matt. 12:41,42; Lk. 10:14
     -That day: Lk. 21:34-35
     -On that day:  Mt. 7:22; Lk. 17:31
     -In those days: Mk. 13:17,19,24

 Matt. 25:31-46 the Son of Man sits in Judgment
 Matt. 19:28 the 12 disciples will join Christ to judge Israel.

Gospels and Future Kingdom
    -Man in the Kingdom:
       -Matt. 5:19: Rewards
       -Matt. 7:21: Who gets in
       -Matt. 8:11 :Integrated
       -Lk. 13:28: Evil will not be there
       -Lk. 14:15: Feasting

    -Heavenly Inheritance/Blessing
       -Matt. 8:11-12: Being w/ saints
       -Matt. 22:1-10: Blessing of being chosen
       -Mat. 25:34,36: Called by God and faithful to Him
       -Lk. 22:28-30: Rewards

Jesus and the Future Kingdom
 Although the KOG was truly associated with the present ministry of Jesus, He also spoke of it as a future event.
     -Mk. 14:25: Never drink again until...
     -Lk. 21:31: When you see...KOG is near
     -Lk. 22:16-18: Never eat and drink again until...
     -Matt. 6:10: Thy kingdom come
     -Matt. 25:1-13: No one knows the hour...

Paul and the Future Kingdom
    -Paul: Day of our Lord
       -1 Cor. 1:7-8 :in the end...
       -2 Cor. 1:13-14:to the end
       -Phil. 1:6: the end of the process
       -Phil. 1:10 the end of the process
       -Phil. 2:16:joy at the end of the process

    -Paul: Day of the Lord has not come yet.
       -1Cor. 4:5: wait
       -2 thess. 2:1-2: Future gathering

    -Paul: Heavenly Kingdom: What will we be like there?
       -1 Cor. 15:50: No flesh and blood
       - Phil. 3:20-21: new body there

     -Paul: Heavenly Kingdom: When will it happen?
       -1Thess. 4:13-18:at time of resurrection of living & dead

    -Paul: Those who will not enter the kingdom in the future.
       -1 Cor. 6:9-10: fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, drunkards...
       -Gal. 5:19-21 :immorality, sensuality, jealousy, factions...

John and the Future Kingdom
    -John's eschatology of the KOG
       -John 14:1-3:I go to prepare a place for you
       -Rev. 21:2-22:5:New heaven and New earth
       -Revelation
         -The kingdom of God is the sovereign rule of God over His people in the world. It has it's roots in the garden and the
           concept has developed throughout the OT.  God is working to move us and all of His creation for Chaos to Order to
           Rest in the future KOG. The kingdom of God has become present in the world at the advent of Jesus Christ and
           through His ministry. Yet, this is only a foreshadow of the great, supernatural act of God in bringing  His kingdom to
           fruition.  We see this kingdom fully developed yet partially revealed in Revelation.
        -Shows that God's rule is complete and comprehensive.
        -All will be changed in the future KOG.
        -Book of Revelation looks at the coming era of the Kingship of God and of Christ. When all the kingdoms of the earth
         will come under His rightful rule.
        -Rev. 1:8: Who is to come
        -Rev. 4:8: Who is to come
        -Rev. 11:17: Has begun to reign
        -Rev. 15:3: King of the nations
        -Rev. 17:14: King of Kings
        -Rev. 19:6: The Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

Question: Is there a relationship between the Coming of the Kingdom and the Coming of the Son of Man?

         If the present KOG is associated with Jesus. Its future coming seems to be associated with the coming of the Son of Man. this is not explicity made but it seems that the two are related events.

     -Most see a link between the coming of the KOG and the coming  of the Son of Man.
     -Matt. 10:23: Until the Son of Man comes
     -Matt. 19:23-28: KOG and SOn of Man mentioned
     -Matt. 24:42-44: Don't know when the S of M  is coming
     -Mk. 8:38-9:1: KOG and S of G mentioned together
     -Lk. 17:20-24: KOG and S of M mentioned together

NT  Future KOG and Judgment
 There is a strong  connection in the NT with the coming of the KOG and judgment.
     -Day of judgment: Matt. 10:25; 2 Pet. 2:9; 1 Jn. 4:17
     -the judgment: Matt. 12:41,42; Lk. 10:14
     -That day: Lk. 21:34-35
     -On that day:  Mt. 7:22; Lk. 17:31
     -In those days: Mk. 13:17,19,24

 Matt. 25:31-46 the Son of Man sits in Judgment
 Matt. 19:28 the 12 disciples will join Christ to judge Israel.

NT Future KOG and TIME

Question: When will then, the KOG come?

    -Most believe that it is immanent and could come at any time.
      -1 Thess. 5:1-3: Like a thief in the night
      -James 5:8-9: Is at hand
      -1 Peter 4:7,17 :is at hand; it is time

    -Many NT scholars indicate that the KOG will happen at death of  the individual.
       -Lk.16:1-9: may receive you into eternal dwelling
       -Lk.16:19-31: Rich man & Lazarus
       -Heb. 9:27: after this (death) comes eternal life
       -2 Cor. 5:1-10: Our tents

Conclusion:

Question: Do you sense a conflict between the PRESENT and  FUTURE realities of the KOG?
                 What is it that connects the two?

         Since the KOG is both present and future, it is then vital that we understand how we are to live and what is to be our responsibility in the KOG both present and future. Next week Kingdom Ethics or How Should We Then Live?