2 covenants, 2 kingdoms, 2 churches.
After Jesus' return mentioned in Rev 19-20 we see that the saints will reign with him for 1000 years. Because of this it is commonly assumed that this is the beginning of the millennial kingdom. [When I say commonly assumed, that means that I'm going to disagree with it. ]
Note that here people are identifying the millennium with the kingdom.
But recall that earlier in Rev we are told that he has taken his power and reigned. When does the kingdom come? Rev 12 or Rev 20?
If it comes with the return, as in rev 20, that would be in a fashion that all could see. But in the gospels he has told us that the kingdom comes without observation. So it must come as spoken of in Rev 12. If you read carefully in Rev 20 it says the saints reign with him. Perhaps this is a point where they begin to reign with him, but He has been reigning from some time earlier. But the saints that overcome and endure to the end are those who are invited to sit in his throne. [It's the most backslidden Laodicean type saints who are offered this greatest reward.]
He begins His reign, in full and the 1000 year kingdom with the outpouring of the Spirit when he comes as the latter rain. The kingdom is within his people's hearts as they give him full authority and obedience. They will follow the Lamb wherever he goes [Rev 13] because they will be willing in the day of His power. [Ps. 110}
Let's consider what exactly the kingdom is to try and see when it comes.
In Revelation, The Passover Key [Destiny Image 1991] Dan Juster writes :
Wherever the rule of God is manifested, whether in healing, deliverance from demons, healing family relationships or starting an alternative school system, we see a manifestation of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God came in the ministry of Jesus and continues to be shown in the ministry of the Church and of believers who affect every area of life. Hence the Gospel of the Kingdom is the good news of the opportunity to come under the rule of God and to see every area of life impacted by the power and principles of God. [page ix]
Through the ministry of Jesus and the apostles, and through the Church today, the Kingdom of God has broken into this age. The Kingdom of God truly came in Jesus. However, it came partially. The Kingdom is already here in one sense, yet not here in others. This "already but not yet" dynamic will typify this age until the return of Jesus. Whenever we see a body healed or a marriage restored by the power of God, there is the Kingdom. However, the full coming of the Kingdom rule over all the earth, as was the hope of the prophets, awaits the return of Jesus. [page x]
Here he is talking about the kingdom being here but not yet. It reminds me that it is said he hath put all things under his feet, but we do not yet see it.
The kingdom that is here is seen in the ministry of Jesus, the apostles and the church. The kingdom to come or the full coming of the Kingdom awaits.
The kingdom is here in as much as the King is here. For those that earnestly seek him, he has never left. He has promised to be with us always.
Yet the kingdom of darkness is present also as there is a world system 'under the sway of the wicked one'. Darkness over the world and gross darkness in the hearts of people. How can both coexist? Just as wheat and tares in the same field.
One scriptural example is that of Athaliah. This wicked queen [a type of satan] reigned in Jerusalem for 6 years. Yet all during that time, the true king lived in Jerusalem too! But it was not until the beginning of the 7th year that he took up his power and overthrew her. [He was waiting for a certain level of maturity.]
Another example is that of Adonijah, a son of David [and type of anti-Christ]. Adonijah proclaimed himself king at the same time Solomon was anointed king. After a short struggle, where a fair number of David's men aligned themselves with Adonijah, Solomon prevailed, and proceeded to purify his realm.
But here we're talking about the kingdom of darkness vs. the kingdom of light. Let's get back to the Kingdom of God as seen so far and the Kingdom of God in full. What are the various possible definitions? And what does the Bible say?
The kingdom of God is wherever God is King. I often use this short definition to show that the kingdom comes when you make him king of your heart. So that way it comes 'without observation'. [In Jesus earthly ministry, He proclaimed the Kingdom was at hand because He is the King.]
Yet many of the kingdom parables describe something quite different. The story of the vineyard and wicked vinedressers, the three loaves made with leaven, the 'treelike, towering mustard plant, filled with demonic types, and others speak of a kingdom where clearly God does not rule. What's the catch?
With that in mind I'll modify the definition to state that the Kingdom is wherever God is supposed to be King. This can be where there is a small measure of God's power demonstrated, and a small measure of obedience rendered to the King. And these parables of the partial or flawed kingdom clearly speak of Old Testament times and conditions. So the partial Kingdom didn't begin with the ministry of Jesus, but it has been here all along.
It has been with God's people all along. It's found in scripture wherever God had dealings with men. It's found wherever God had a people. And all through the bible God has had some people, a remnant with whom he had a covenant, that is promises he made to them.
So the various covenants that scholars speak of means he has had this kingdom all along. These include covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and the Children of Israel in general. We can sum them up in what is known as the Old covenant.
So What is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God is:
a. wherever God is King
b. wherever God is supposed to be King
c. wherever he has a covenant people
d. wherever God's power is at work or manifests.
e. all the above.
The Kingdom is wherever he has a covenant people; there he is supposed to be King whether they are obedient or not. The Kingdom Comes in Fullness [completion] when he truly does reign in the hearts of his covenant people. And it is seen when He is revealed in his people. [The Revelation of Jesus Christ.]
There is a promise of a new covenant where the stony heart is removed and replaced by a heart of flesh. It's a covenant where his laws are written in/on our hearts, where He is Lord of all our heart. And it's where His love fills our hearts to the point of overflowing like rivers of living water gushing forth.
Is this the New Testament of the new testament church that we see in our day?
Even though we speak of the church beginning with the New Testament, i. e. New Covenant, this church is really still under the law. Old Testament Israel is a type and picture of the New Testament Church. We have repeated all the sin, error and idolatry of Judaism, as the things that happened to them are the examples of what has happened to us. And likewise the judgment that came on Judaism is a prophecy of the Judgment that needs begin at the House of God.
We claim that we're not under the law. If so then we must be under the spirit. But however much we claim to be under the spirit, it remains to be seen. [In other words, show me the money - show me the fruit of the spirit.] And isn't that what the world is wanting to see. Show me the Fruit of the Spirit, and then I'll take you seriously.
The New Covenant is here with the Blood of Jesus and The Baptism of the Holy Ghost. But it's not yet in full. We are told that we have an 'earnest' of the spirit. That's like a down payment, or a token, a measure of the spirit.
The Old covenant is the law. It could not, and cannot produce the fullness of the kingdom anymore than the blood of bulls can bring forgiveness of sin. The Law can bring only death. It yields dead religion, dead Judaism, dead Christianity, dead faith without works, a dead fig tree, cursed because if produces no fruit.
The New Covenant was promised in New Testament times but still waits the promise of the father. The New Covenant is the Life Giving Spirit. It's not just the down payment, sample of or demo of the spirit. It's the Spirit without measure.
Mt 8:23 ¶ And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
Ps 119:130 ¶ The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Conclusion
So the first Kingdom is a potential one. It's derived from and it corresponds to the Old Covenant. It's typified by the Law. God's presence and power are seen, but his people's allegiance to Him is spotty. These people are God's covenant people in old testament times and throughout the 'church age' till now.
The second Kingdom is the Full Kingdom. It comes from and corresponds to the New Covenant. It's typified by Grace. Where the law was not able, grace is sufficient. God's presence and power are seen and demonstrated in a peculiar people who show forth his praise. These people are God's covenant people in the end times, the saints who endure to the end and overcome by death to self and by obedience unto death. From the time of Pentecost onward, the two have overlapped. Eventually the old will pass away.
Another Scriptural parallel
In First Corinthians chapter 13 we can see, if we look with prophetic eyes, the transition to the New Covenant typified. He calls it a 'more excellent way'. Up to that point in First Corinthians we witness the spirit addressing the problems found in a church under the law. They are disputes, divisions, all manner of pride, strife, abuse and contention. The church seen in First Corinthians is a real mess.
But the more excellent way is that of Love. When he speaks of the love of the father 'shed abroad' in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, it's the result of receiving the Spirit 'without measure' [a condition equal to 'Christ being formed in you' or 'Christ in you']. References to maturity found in chapter 13 should tell us that this is the maturity spoken of in Ephesians. That is the 'measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ'.
What does it take to produce the bride without spot or wrinkle of Ephesians 5:27 The washing of the water of the word [Eph 5:26] is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the bride that enables the Revelation of Jesus Christ in the bride. It's the completion of the mystery of God.
Another clue is found in the mention of Tychicus in Eph 6:21-22. He is a type of the Holy Spirit.
In Second Corinthians you can see, in allegory, the transition to the New Covenant completed. Here the Holy Spirit is typified by Titus. And the Later Day outpouring of the Spirit is seen in 'the coming of Titus' and the results of his ministry. Look at the description of the Corinthian church once Titus has done his work.
2Co 7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Truly this is a picture of the mature church. [You can also see her as the woman in Proverbs 31.]
Establishing the Kingdom
So contrary to what some may say, [another disagreement here], the church does not establish the kingdom [the full kingdom]. When the church gets right it becomes the kingdom.
Mt 8:23 ¶ And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him..
And then she proclaims the Kingdom.
Moses tried to deliver Israel by his own strength and failed. He had to wait in the desert 40 years till the time was right. When he returned the people willingly followed him. This is a type and an allegory; it set a pattern.
Jesus tried to be about his father's work at age 12 but had to submit to his parents. When the time came and the power of the spirit was given without measure he began to proclaim the kingdom was at hand. This was a demo of God's power and also an allegory.
The church has tried and tried in her own strength for 2000 years and failed. [Like the first two days of the war against Benjamin.]
When the fullness of time comes, under the last days outpouring we are about to have, the types will be fulfilled. We'll see a church empowered by the Spirit, doing the will of the Father, and laying down their lives for the brethren.
It will proclaim that Our God Reigns. It will walk in righteousness, peace and Joy of the Holy Ghost. That's the Kingdom of God!