I have been doing alot of studying on the kingdom as of late and have tried to compile a concise list of scripture on the subject. So much that it seems appropriate to give an outline of where I might be headed over the next 10-12 parts. Whatever I try to cover will be grossly inadequate because the kingdom is a principle theme throughout the entire Bible. In the words of Jesus, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this very purpose," (Luke 4:43). Sounds like a pretty important topic in the Bible. Any input you have will be greatly appreciated. Here is the outline on what I am hoping to cover.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(1) Creating Shalom Out of Chaos
(2) The Fall Brought Chaos Back Into Creation
(3) The Kingdom: God’s Plan to Restore Peace to the World
(4) I Was Sent for This Purpose
(5) What is the Kingdom?
(6) Attributes of the Kingdom
- Peace
- Righteousness
- Prosperity and Joy
- Knowledge of the LORD
(7) Patterns of the Kingdom in Scripture
- The Wilderness
- The Promised Land
- The Garden of Eden
- The Days of the Apostles
(8) The Life and Ministry of Jesus
(9) The Millenium Kingdom
(10) The Progression of the Kingdom
CREATING SHALOM OUT OF CHAOS
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." (Gen 1:1-2)
The phrase “formless and void” is derived from the Hebrew words “tohu (to’-hoo)” and “bohu (bo’-hoo).” The Hebrew phrase attempts to convey a condition that is empty, void, undistinguishable, without purpose, without order, without meaning, a total ruin, utter and complete chaos. There is no English word that comes close to adequately capturing the concept of the phrase “tohu-bohu.”
Frustrated with the inability to convey this concept to his class, a professor ran to his office and brought back a blender. Into the blender he placed various fruits such as bananas, strawberries, and grapes. After operating the blender he still did not feel he was anywhere close to the concept of tohu-bohu. He proceeded to add water, turn the blender on high, and then he removed the cover to reveal chaos everywhere. Tohu-bohu, a difficult concept to convey.
Perhaps a better way to explain tohu-bohu is to offer the Hebrew word that is the exact opposite of chaos, that word is “Shalom.” Shalom is translated into English as “peace,” but its meaning is much richer and far deeper than simply “peace.” Shalom is the complete and total peace that proceeds from a condition of perfect order, harmony, wholeness, and purpose.
At creation, “tohu-bohu” is represented by the water, which has no form nor order. It was the Spirit of God moving over the waters that brings “Shalom” to the creation. When Jesus calmed the waters on the Sea of Galilee, it became a reminder to the disciples of the LORD’S hand at the time of creation, evoking the response, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water and they obey Him?” (Luke 8:25).
Every day of creation concludes with the statement, “there was evening and there was morning,” (Gen 1:5). The Hebrew day begins at dusk based on this pattern from Genesis, then moves from evening to morning, from darkness to light. Darkness is seen as chaos without God, while the light that follows is seen to reflect God’s order. At the conclusion of God’s work, the creation is called, “very good,” (Gen 1:31). The creation testifies to the work of God, that He is in the business of bringing Shalom out of chaos.
THE FALL BROUGHT CHAOS BACK TO CREATION
The creation remained in a state of Shalom for only a short time until the serpent tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden. When Adam succumb to the temptation and sinned, chaos was introduced back into the creation. Chaos (tohu-bohu) returned to the creation in the form of hard labor, hatred, violence, and murder. The contrast between God and Satan became evident in the Garden, God brings order into the world, but Satan introduces chaos.
After the fall, God could have chosen to wipe man off the creation map and start with a fresh creation and a new man. God did not choose that path, in part, due to His great mercy. In the words spoken to David, “God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from Him,” (2 Sam 14:14). God could have remade the creation and placed the fallen man in a new garden, removing the consequences of Adam’s sin. God did not choose that option either, nor did He relieve Satan of his ability to tempt mankind.
Some commentators suggest that man failed to comprehend the mighty work God performed to bring Shalom to the creation. If the world was going to be restored, God determined that man would participate in the restoration process. Through his participation, man would come to appreciate the work of creation and come to know and worship the creator.
The great Hebrew sage Hillel, born eighty years before Jesus, made famous the principle found in scripture that he called “tikkun olam.” The phrase literally means, “repairing the world,” although it is sometimes translated as “perfecting the world” or “bettering the world.” Hillel believed that in every task a person performs he has a responsibility to make the world a better place. In the words of Paul, to “overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21), just as the LORD God originally brought shalom to the world out of chaos.
THE KINGDOM: GOD’S PLAN TO RESTORE ORDER TO THE WORLD
“The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them…6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore.” (Isa 9:2&6-7)
The LORD brings “Shalom” back into the world through the propagation of His Kingdom, as it is written, “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of His peace, on the throne of David and over His kingdom.” The Kingdom is not a concept unique to the New Testament, but one that has been prepared from the foundation of the world, (Matt 25:34). The first reference in scripture to the kingdom is seen in the Song of Moses (Ex 15:1-18), spoken after Israel crossed the Red Sea in safety, while they witnessed the destruction of their enemies. The song of Moses concludes by saying, “The LORD shall reign forever and ever,” (Ex 15:18). If the LORD is reigning, the rabbis concluded that there must be a kingdom, dominion or place of ruling authority, and servants who submit to the will of the king.
We come to learn about the kingdom through the words of Moses, the prophets, the apostles, and the life of Jesus Who began His ministry proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” (Matt 4:17). The ministry of Jesus revealed the kingdom to Israel through His parables that began, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” and through His miracles, “If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matt 12:28). Luke recorded Jesus as saying,
“I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose,” (Luke 4:42-43)
The gospel that believers preach should be “the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,” (Acts 8:12). The preaching of Jesus Christ should always be within the greater context of the kingdom of God. Since the kingdom was spoken about in the days of Moses, the writer of Hebrews could say, “For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also,” (Heb 4:2). The “good news” was the kingdom, “but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.”
(to be continued - Scott)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(1) Creating Shalom Out of Chaos
(2) The Fall Brought Chaos Back Into Creation
(3) The Kingdom: God’s Plan to Restore Peace to the World
(4) I Was Sent for This Purpose
(5) What is the Kingdom?
(6) Attributes of the Kingdom
- Peace
- Righteousness
- Prosperity and Joy
- Knowledge of the LORD
(7) Patterns of the Kingdom in Scripture
- The Wilderness
- The Promised Land
- The Garden of Eden
- The Days of the Apostles
(8) The Life and Ministry of Jesus
(9) The Millenium Kingdom
(10) The Progression of the Kingdom
CREATING SHALOM OUT OF CHAOS
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." (Gen 1:1-2)
The phrase “formless and void” is derived from the Hebrew words “tohu (to’-hoo)” and “bohu (bo’-hoo).” The Hebrew phrase attempts to convey a condition that is empty, void, undistinguishable, without purpose, without order, without meaning, a total ruin, utter and complete chaos. There is no English word that comes close to adequately capturing the concept of the phrase “tohu-bohu.”
Frustrated with the inability to convey this concept to his class, a professor ran to his office and brought back a blender. Into the blender he placed various fruits such as bananas, strawberries, and grapes. After operating the blender he still did not feel he was anywhere close to the concept of tohu-bohu. He proceeded to add water, turn the blender on high, and then he removed the cover to reveal chaos everywhere. Tohu-bohu, a difficult concept to convey.
Perhaps a better way to explain tohu-bohu is to offer the Hebrew word that is the exact opposite of chaos, that word is “Shalom.” Shalom is translated into English as “peace,” but its meaning is much richer and far deeper than simply “peace.” Shalom is the complete and total peace that proceeds from a condition of perfect order, harmony, wholeness, and purpose.
At creation, “tohu-bohu” is represented by the water, which has no form nor order. It was the Spirit of God moving over the waters that brings “Shalom” to the creation. When Jesus calmed the waters on the Sea of Galilee, it became a reminder to the disciples of the LORD’S hand at the time of creation, evoking the response, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water and they obey Him?” (Luke 8:25).
Every day of creation concludes with the statement, “there was evening and there was morning,” (Gen 1:5). The Hebrew day begins at dusk based on this pattern from Genesis, then moves from evening to morning, from darkness to light. Darkness is seen as chaos without God, while the light that follows is seen to reflect God’s order. At the conclusion of God’s work, the creation is called, “very good,” (Gen 1:31). The creation testifies to the work of God, that He is in the business of bringing Shalom out of chaos.
THE FALL BROUGHT CHAOS BACK TO CREATION
The creation remained in a state of Shalom for only a short time until the serpent tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden. When Adam succumb to the temptation and sinned, chaos was introduced back into the creation. Chaos (tohu-bohu) returned to the creation in the form of hard labor, hatred, violence, and murder. The contrast between God and Satan became evident in the Garden, God brings order into the world, but Satan introduces chaos.
After the fall, God could have chosen to wipe man off the creation map and start with a fresh creation and a new man. God did not choose that path, in part, due to His great mercy. In the words spoken to David, “God does not take away life, but plans ways so that the banished one will not be cast out from Him,” (2 Sam 14:14). God could have remade the creation and placed the fallen man in a new garden, removing the consequences of Adam’s sin. God did not choose that option either, nor did He relieve Satan of his ability to tempt mankind.
Some commentators suggest that man failed to comprehend the mighty work God performed to bring Shalom to the creation. If the world was going to be restored, God determined that man would participate in the restoration process. Through his participation, man would come to appreciate the work of creation and come to know and worship the creator.
The great Hebrew sage Hillel, born eighty years before Jesus, made famous the principle found in scripture that he called “tikkun olam.” The phrase literally means, “repairing the world,” although it is sometimes translated as “perfecting the world” or “bettering the world.” Hillel believed that in every task a person performs he has a responsibility to make the world a better place. In the words of Paul, to “overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21), just as the LORD God originally brought shalom to the world out of chaos.
THE KINGDOM: GOD’S PLAN TO RESTORE ORDER TO THE WORLD
“The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them…6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore.” (Isa 9:2&6-7)
The LORD brings “Shalom” back into the world through the propagation of His Kingdom, as it is written, “There will be no end to the increase of His government or of His peace, on the throne of David and over His kingdom.” The Kingdom is not a concept unique to the New Testament, but one that has been prepared from the foundation of the world, (Matt 25:34). The first reference in scripture to the kingdom is seen in the Song of Moses (Ex 15:1-18), spoken after Israel crossed the Red Sea in safety, while they witnessed the destruction of their enemies. The song of Moses concludes by saying, “The LORD shall reign forever and ever,” (Ex 15:18). If the LORD is reigning, the rabbis concluded that there must be a kingdom, dominion or place of ruling authority, and servants who submit to the will of the king.
We come to learn about the kingdom through the words of Moses, the prophets, the apostles, and the life of Jesus Who began His ministry proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” (Matt 4:17). The ministry of Jesus revealed the kingdom to Israel through His parables that began, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” and through His miracles, “If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matt 12:28). Luke recorded Jesus as saying,
“I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose,” (Luke 4:42-43)
The gospel that believers preach should be “the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,” (Acts 8:12). The preaching of Jesus Christ should always be within the greater context of the kingdom of God. Since the kingdom was spoken about in the days of Moses, the writer of Hebrews could say, “For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also,” (Heb 4:2). The “good news” was the kingdom, “but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.”
(to be continued - Scott)
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