Scripture demonstrates that God promised a kingdom, that those promises or prophesies have been fulfilled and that the church and the kingdom are the same institution, and therefore, that the kingdom now exists. There are several matters over which the religious community is confused: properly dividing the Old Testament from the New Testament, the frequency with which communion should be observed, tithing versus free-will giving, music in worship, the Sabbath, church organization, baptism (and salvation in general), among many other matters of some importance. Many sincere religious people are also greatly confused about the establishment and identity of the kingdom. Many churches teach premillennialism — namely, that the church and the kingdom are not the same institution, and that the kingdom is yet future. Really, though, the church and the kingdom are the same institution, and both are the same as the house, the temple and the body, too. The Bible simply uses different perspectives to demonstrate several characteristics of the same divine institution.
God promised or prophesied he would build a kingdom. The king of the promised kingdom was to be a descendant of David (Psalms 89:3-4, 29; Isaiah 9:6-7).
“And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David” (2 Samuel 7:16-17).
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
The apostle Peter, in the first recorded Gospel sermon, made the correlation between the Old Testament prophecies regarding the establishment of a kingdom through a descendant of David to the establishment of the church through Jesus Christ (Acts 2:25-36). The relationship between the kingdom prophecies relative to David being fulfilled in Christ in the establishment of the church was the point of his sermon and the basis through which the redemptive message was first preached. The focus of Peter’s sermon caused his auditors to ask what they must do (vs. 37) and prompted Peter to command them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins (vs. 38). About 3,000 souls that day gladly submitted to baptism (vs. 41) and Jesus added them to the church (vs. 47).
The king of the promised kingdom was identified as the Christ or Messiah (Psalm 2:6-7). The fulfillment clearly appears in Acts 13:33. “God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” The mission of Jesus to be the Messiah is amply declared in the Gospel records (Matthew 21:5; Luke 1:26-33; John 18:37).
The king of the promised kingdom was to be a priest (Zechariah 6:12-13). The fulfillment of this facet of Christ’s ministry is chronicled through the Book of Hebrews (2:17; 3:1; 4:14-15; 5:5; 6:20; 7:1ff; 8:1ff; 9:11; 10:21; etc.) Contrary to the popular notion of premillennialism, Jesus cannot be a priest on earth (Hebrews 8:4); therefore, he cannot be king on earth!
The kingdom of promise was to be eternal (2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 45:6; Isaiah 9:6-7).
“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).
This prophecy was fulfilled in the establishment of the church, over 2,000 years ago (2 Peter 1:11).
The kingdom of promise was to be established in Jerusalem or Zion (Isaiah 2:2-3; 62:1-2; Joel 2:28-3:2). These prophecies were fulfilled in the establishment of the church in Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2). The kingdom of promise was to be for all nations (Isaiah 2:2-3; 62:1-2). These prophecies, also, were fulfilled (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47). The kingdom of promise was to bring salvation (Isaiah 62:1-2; Joel 2:28-3:2). Likewise, these prophecies were fulfilled (Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38). The kingdom of promise was to have a new name (Isaiah 62:1-2). The new name was given following the conversion of Gentiles and their subsequent addition to the New Testament church (Acts 11:26). The kingdom of promise was to be established during the reign of the Roman kings (Daniel 2:31-45), which like the other prophecies also was fulfilled (Luke 2:1). The kingdom of promise was to come with power (Joel 2:28-3:2; Mark 9:1; Acts 1:4-8), and did (Acts 2:1-4).
The kingdom of promise was still yet future during the respective ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:1-2; 4:17; 6:10; 16:18), but it came into being in the first century, according to the apostle Paul (Colossians 1:13), the Hebrews writer (12:28) and the apostle John (Revelation 1:9). God promised to bless all nations through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3; 18:18; 22:17-18). Gabriel told Mary that Jesus was to be born in fulfillment of promises made to Jacob and David. This ties together the promises to the patriarchs with the king and his kingdom of promise (Luke 1:26-33; Genesis 12; 18; 22).
God promised to raise up a Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18-19). By inspiration, the apostle Peter taught Deuteronomy 18 was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19-26). This ties together the promise of a Prophet with the promise of a kingdom. God promised a Messiah or Savior (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6). John the Baptist prepared the way for the Messiah, Christ (Matthew 3:1-2). The wise men looked for the king of the Jews and were told that Scripture said he was to be born in Bethlehem; this ties together prophesies of the Messiah and the king — hence, the kingdom (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:2-11). Jesus claimed to be the promised king in fulfillment of a passage about the Messiah’s entry into Jerusalem riding a donkey; this ties passages about the Messiah and the king and his kingdom together, Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5.
The church and the kingdom are the same divine institution. Jesus used the terms “church” and “kingdom” interchangeably (Matthew 16:18-19). The apostle Paul used the terms “church” and “kingdom” interchangeably (Colossians 1:13, 18). Jesus is now reigning in his kingdom (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) and he is also head of the church, which is also called the body (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22-23) or the house of God (1 Timothy 3:15) or the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). The apostle Paul stated that he and the Colossian Christians were in the kingdom (Colossians 1:13). The apostle John declared that all Christians and he were companions in the kingdom (Revelation 1:9). The Hebrews writer said we have received a kingdom (Hebrews 12:28). The church was in the eternal purpose of God — not an after-thought; therefore, the church and the kingdom, with Jesus the head of both are the same institution (Ephesians 3:4-12).
“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:10-11).
In view of all the foregoing, the inescapable conclusion is: (1) God fulfilled his promise to build a kingdom when he gave man the church. (2) God’s promises to the patriarchs were fulfilled in the establishment of the church/kingdom. (3) God’s promise to raise up a prophet like Moses was fulfilled in Jesus Christ as head of the church and king over the kingdom. (4) The Messiah became king over the kingdom/church. (5) Church, kingdom, body and temple are used interchangeably to describe varied facets of the same institution. (6) The kingdom is present, not future; premillennialism is false!
You can become a citizen of the kingdom today by obeying the Gospel, after which Jesus will add you to his church, which is his kingdom (Hebrews 5:8-9; Acts 2:47).
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Erring Christians can repent and pray (Acts 8:22) to receive the forgiveness of their sins (1 John 1:8-9).
