Did Jesus establish his kingdom?
Introduction. There are many today who believe and teach that Jesus did not and has not established his kingdom. Let us see what the scriptures teach. "...I will build my church...," Jesus tells Peter, "and I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven..." (Matt. 16:18, 19). Observe that "church" and "kingdom" are used interchangeably by the Lord. Peter used the "keys," means of entrance, on the Day of Pentecost when he preached the gospel and the Lord added to the church (Acts 2:14-47).
Prophecy demands the establishment of the kingdom. Daniel prophesied of four world kingdoms (Dan. 2). There was the Babylonian; the Medo-Persian; the Macedonian; and the Roman (Dan. 2:32, 33). Regarding the Roman Empire, Daniel prophesied, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom..." (Dan. 2:44). The house of God (the church or kingdom, 1 Tim. 3:15) was to be established in the last days, in Jerusalem, the law would proceed at that time, and all nations would flow unto it (Isa. 2:1-3). This was "fulfilled" in Acts 2 (30 A.D.). Similar prophecies which involved the setting up of the kingdom looked to Acts 2 for fulfillment (cf. Micah 4:1-2, Jere. 31:31-34, etc.)
The kingdom was a reality in the First Century. The Colossians had been "translated into the Kingdom..." (Col. 1:13). John was a "companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom..." (Rev. 1:9). Those about whom John wrote constituted the kingdom (Rev. 5:10). The recipients of Hebrews had received a kingdom (Heb. 12:28).
Conclusion. When Jesus told Pilate, "...My kingdom is not of this world..." he did not mean it would not be established, but that it was not secular (John 18:36). The kingdom has been established! When one experiences the "new birth" one becomes a citizen of that kingdom (John 3:5, Acts 2:47, KJV.) How about you, are you a citizen of Christ's kingdom?
Prophecy demands the establishment of the kingdom. Daniel prophesied of four world kingdoms (Dan. 2). There was the Babylonian; the Medo-Persian; the Macedonian; and the Roman (Dan. 2:32, 33). Regarding the Roman Empire, Daniel prophesied, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom..." (Dan. 2:44). The house of God (the church or kingdom, 1 Tim. 3:15) was to be established in the last days, in Jerusalem, the law would proceed at that time, and all nations would flow unto it (Isa. 2:1-3). This was "fulfilled" in Acts 2 (30 A.D.). Similar prophecies which involved the setting up of the kingdom looked to Acts 2 for fulfillment (cf. Micah 4:1-2, Jere. 31:31-34, etc.)
The kingdom was a reality in the First Century. The Colossians had been "translated into the Kingdom..." (Col. 1:13). John was a "companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom..." (Rev. 1:9). Those about whom John wrote constituted the kingdom (Rev. 5:10). The recipients of Hebrews had received a kingdom (Heb. 12:28).
Conclusion. When Jesus told Pilate, "...My kingdom is not of this world..." he did not mean it would not be established, but that it was not secular (John 18:36). The kingdom has been established! When one experiences the "new birth" one becomes a citizen of that kingdom (John 3:5, Acts 2:47, KJV.) How about you, are you a citizen of Christ's kingdom?