Thy Kingdom Came

 

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign for ever and ever,

Revelation 11:15 RSV. He was not speaking here of the earthly kingdoms established by men but the “kingdom of the world,” singular.

In the beginning God gave Adam, (as Mankind), dominion over all the earth, Genesis 1:26. Adam, (as Mankind), surrendered this kingdom to the devil, Satan, the serpent, Genesis chapter 3. Satan became the ‘god of this earth,’ 2 Corinthians 4:4. He offered this kingdom to Christ, but Christ overcame him, Matthew 4:8-10. Immediately, Jesus began to preach: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He was taking back the kingdom from Satan. Jesus became a man to restore the kingdom to mankind, under God. It happened, Revelation 11:15.

When Did The Kingdom Come?

Daniel foretold that the Kingdom of God would come in the time of the Roman Empire, the ‘fourth kingdom,’ Daniel 2:40, 44. This Kingdom of God was to rule over all other kingdoms and last forever, Daniel 7:18, 22, and 27. It came as foretold during the time of the Roman Empire and is recorded in the New Testament.

John the Baptist came preaching it: Matthew 3:2. Jesus preached it, Matthew 4:17, 23; 9:35.

In Matthew 12:25-28, Jesus has been accused of casting out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. Jesus answers them that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Then He says: “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God is come unto you,” verse 28. It was obvious that He had cast out devils, and so, it was equally obvious that the power of “the kingdom of God” was being manifested.

The Specific Time When Christ Took Over the Kingdom:

In Matthew 26, Jesus is celebrating the Passover supper with His disciples, teaching them of the true meaning of the Passover. The Bread was His body, and the Cup was His blood. Then He said: “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom,” verse 29.

When did He drink with them again? After His resurrection. John 21:13-14: “Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus shewed Himself to his disciples, after that He was risen from the dead.”

Acts 10:40-41: “Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly: Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead.” So Jesus took over the Kingdom of God at His resurrection, defeating Satan and fulfilling the purpose of God that Mankind should have dominion!

He Offers the Kingdom to His Disciples:

Jesus taught His disciples to submit their will to God’s will in the prayer: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Also Luke 12:32: “Fear not, little flock, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Luke 22:29-30: “And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me: That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Colossians 1:13: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” This is in past tense: it had happened.  Read also the rest of this chapter.

Ephesians 1:19-23 and 2:6: “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come; and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all…. (2:6) And hath raised us up together, and made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Jesus has been enthroned and has taken us with Him!

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire,” Hebrews 12:28-29.

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” James 2:5.

The Kingdom Was a Present Reality to John the Revelator:

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ…,” Revelation 1:9.

Revelation 11:15: “… ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever…. (17) We give thanks to thee, Lord God Almighty, who art and who wast, that thou hast taken thy great power and begun to reign…” RSV.  Past tense. It is done.

Revelation 22:10: “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” The Book of Revelation was not to be sealed for a future time, but was to be fulfilled soon, quickly. It happened! Praise the Lord!