The Messianic Kingdom Lost
What did the Jewish people miss out on when they rejected Jesus and the Kingdom. (https://www.tojesusbeallglory.com/2022/02/a-study-of-prophecy-messianic-kingdom.html)
The Five "Kingdoms"
Before we discuss the mystery kingdom, we will review the 4 other "kingdoms" the Bible refers to So we have the context for the mystery kingdom.
The Universal or Eternal Kingdom - This kingdom refers to God's rule over all the universe for all time. It includes the angelic realm, and has always existed. This is the kingdom the believer enters upon death (1Co 15:50, 2Ti 4:18). Scriptural references: 1Ch 29:11-12, Psa 10:16, Psa 29:10, Psa 74:12, Psa 90:1-6, Psa 93:1-5, Psa 103:19-22, Psa 145:1-21, Psa 148:8, Jer 10:10, Lam 5:19, Dan 4:17, Dan 6:27, Act 17:24).
The Spiritual Kingdom - This is God's rule in the heart of a believer. This kingdom is comprised of all who have been born again by the Holy Spirit Joh 3:3, 1Co 6:9) Scriptural references: Mat 6:33, Mat 19:16, Joh 3:3-5, Act 8:12, Act 14:22, Act 19:8, Act 20:25, Act 28:23, 1Co 4:20, 1Co 6:9-10, Gal 5:21, Eph 5:5, Col 1:13-14, Col 4:11, 1Th 2:12, and 2Th 1:5.
The Theocratic Kingdom - This is the rule of God over the nation of Israel. This kingdom started when the Law of Moses was established and served as the constitution of the nation of Israel. This kingdom ended with the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586BC. This kingdom is documented from Exo 19:1 to 2Ch 36:23. (Exo 20:22-23).
The Messianic / Millennial Kingdom - This is the future kingdom during which time Jesus will rule over saved Israel and all the earth from David's throne in Jerusalem for 1000 years. This kingdom is the subject of a great deal of OT prophecy as well as being the kingdom that was declared to be "at hand" by John the Baptist and Jesus (Mat 3:2, Mat 4:17) and rejected by Jewish authorities Mat 3:1-2, Psa 2:4-6). Scriptural references: Psa 2:1-12, Psa 72:1-20, Isa 9:6-7, Isa 11:1-16, Jer 23:5-6, Jer 32:14-17, Eze 34:23, Eze 37:24, Hos 3:4-5, Mic 4:6-8, Mic 5:2, Mal 3:1-4.
The Mystery Kingdom - Following the rejection of the Messianic Kingdom, Jesus's focus switches to the "mystery" program. This includes a kingdom that Jesus revealed on the day of Israel's rejection (Mat 13:11, Mat 13:35). This kingdom covers the period of time between the first and second coming of Jesus.
A Change of Course
Four things change as a result of this generation's rejection of King and Kingdom:
Signs - Jesus will no longer give signs to the nation of Israel to provoke them to decide which side they are going to be on. They have made that decision through their teachers and religious leaders. That decision is rejection. From this point forward, signs are for the purpose of training and preparing the apostles for their ministry. The only sign given to Israel would be the sign of Jonah.
Miracles - Up to this point, Jesus's miracles did not require faith on the part of the observer or participant. Henceforth, miracles would not happen without faith. Again, Jesus's miracles were to validate His authority as Messiah, and Israel had chosen to reject Him.
Message - The message to this point was to repent and be baptized in preparation for the coming Kingdom. Since the Kingdom was rejected, the message changes to concealing the coming of the Kingdom and King. This policy lasted until the "Great Commission" in Matt 28. The program would now shift from the coming of the King and the Messianic Kingdom to the mystery program.
Teaching Method - Jesus's teachings changed from being clear and understandable by the people to speaking in Parables. The switch from teaching plainly to speaking parables happened the same day as His rejection (Mat 7:28-29, Mat 13:1-3).
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