…if the church is the Kingdom how is one to read 2 Thess 1:5? Here the brethren are “striving” to obtain a place in the future Kingdom. Thanks, Bis
All are not agreed that 2 Thessalonians 1:5 refers to a future rather than a present kingdom or the church: “Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.” The verse may refer to or include a reference to a future kingdom. However, there are a number of New Testament verses that unmistakably refer to a future kingdom. Verses that portray the kingdom as an anticipated inheritance are easily understood to refer to a future kingdom.
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 emphasis added)
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (1 Corinthians 15:50 emphasis added)
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 emphasis added)
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:3-5 emphasis added)
Though unmistakably there is a future kingdom, as unmistakably there is a present kingdom as well. The writer of Hebrews plus the apostles Paul and John wrote to first century Christians respecting their inclusion already in the Lord’s kingdom.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. (Hebrews 12:28 emphasis added)
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [past tense, i.e., already occurred] us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:13 emphasis added)
And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. (Colossians 4:11)
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called [past tense, i.e., already occurred] you unto his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12 emphasis added)
I John, who also am [present tense, already occurring] your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9 emphasis added)
The distinction between the present kingdom or the church (Jesus used the terms church and kingdom interchangeably, Matthew 16:18-19) and the future kingdom is that the future kingdom is “heavenly” or “everlasting.” “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18 emphasis added). “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11 emphasis added). The present kingdom, which is spiritual rather than physical (John 18:36), is on earth. However, upon the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord will present the kingdom to the Father as though it were a present (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). From hence, it will be a heavenly kingdom (i.e., not on earth).
