This Article: (3 Pages)
- 1. The Plan with the Earth
- 2. A Kingdom
- 3. A Vision of the Kingdom
1) The Plan with the Earth
The earth is a planet of great beauty and grandeur. From its lofty peaks to the smallest plant and creature it displays the hand of a wise and intelligent creator. The earth was made to reveal the glory of the Creator, not only in its physical wonders but eventually in humans. The earth is the one planet in the solar system that is perfectly suitable for all forms of life and provides ideal climatic conditions for the maintenance of life.
The Bible says God made this planet and the people to show his glory. To do this God will bring justice and peace to all the nations of the earth. This is the Good News of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God found in the Bible.
The Bible's Promise
God's purpose with the earth is stated in numerous passages in the Bible. Habakkuk expresses the promise in the following way.
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2: 14)
This purpose is to be achieved through the people who live and have lived on this planet and who recognise the plan and purpose that the Creator has with the earth. Isaiah states clearly that the earth was not created in vain.
“For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.“ (Isaiah 45: 18)
God's final purpose is with the Earth and seeing it inhabited with people who do his will perfectly.
The Kingdom
The Lord Jesus Christ taught his disciples to pray and this prayer is known by all Christians. Take a close look at the opening of the prayer. It starts with a reverential address to the Creator and the next consideration is about the Kingdom and the end of the prayer again relates to the Kingdom.
“Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.....For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory for ever.” (Matthew 6: 9,13)
This prayer emphasises the importance of the Kingdom. Those who pray these words should see the importance of the understanding of the reality of the coming Kingdom and God's promise. Matthew's words show that the Kingdom was the focus of Jesus' teaching.
“Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” (Matthew 4: 23)
The Kingdom is the main theme of the Bible, from the promises to Adam, Noah, the Fathers of Israel and to King David. It is referred to by the prophets of Israel and the apostles of the New Testament.
The Kingdom of God will have international laws that provide justice for all mankind. As the Bible confirms there will be a King, God's son, the Lord Jesus Christ. who will rule from the city of Jerusalem. Isaiah writes of a future time when Jerusalem will be the centre of government.
“He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3)
The Psalmist says that Jerusalem (Zion) shall be the city of great king, indicating it is the centre of the kingdom.
“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king.” (Psalm 48:2)
There will be one religion and one form of worship and peace will at last be brought to a world that has long suffered from devastating wars, violence, immorality and man's activities that have produced pollution and destruction of earth's resources.
For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD;
joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgement to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. (Isaiah 51: 3-5)
These words of Isaiah about peace and righteousness for the future to the nation of Israel also include other people and nations. It is a promise of peace for the earth, an end to oppression, hunger and famine. justice for all people and laws to prevent violence and immorality.
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Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
This may be one of the most misunderstood passages of the Bible. Paul is notorious for long sentences of connected thoughts, and this is part of a complex wide ranging thought which lasts 2 chapters, and includes what seems opposite advice:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
As I was thinking to write this article, having just read Psalm 46 as I do each year on that day, on January 25th a Bible was found untouched after a tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The Messiah taught his disciples to pray and an important aspect of this prayer is the reference to the “Kingdom”, twice, as recorded by Matthew (Matt 6:9-13). In this prayer the Father's name is hallowed and to him is to be attributed all power and glory.
It was promised that there will be peace on earth...
We have been given many time periods to prophetic events in the Bible. Many people think it too hard, and do not make an effort to understand them. However, if they were not to be understood, why were they given? And the Bible says the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).
