The Kingdom of God The Mediatorial Kingdom in

The Kingdom of God The Mediatorial Kingdom in the Four Gospels Part II

The Rejection of the King and His Kingdom 1. The Kingdom is near because the king is near • David/Solomon’s kingdom established in accord with God’s covenant promises (2 Sam 5: 12; 1 Kings 9: 4 -5; cf. 1 Sam 12: 13 -15, 22) • Israelite monarchy falls because of God’s refusal to show further mercy (Hos 1: 6; 2 Chr 36: 15 -16) • Prophets (even Moses!) declare a more glorious restoration in association with a new Davidic king (Ezek 34: 23 ff; 37: 24 ff; Jer 33: 14 ff; Hos 3: 4 -5; cf. Deut 30). • This restoration was the hope of those who survived the exile (Psa 89; Dan 9; Zech 1: 12 ff; 10: 6 ff) • This restoration was not forgotten at Christ’s coming (Luke 1: 67 ff; 2: 25 ff; cf. post-exilic history). The hearers of John the Baptist and Christ understood what it meant for the “kingdom” to be near and would certainly have expected a Davidic king in association with such an announcement.

The Rejection of the King and His Kingdom 2. The Kingdom was Israel’s • • • The history just chronicled was the hope of Israel. The glory and the covenants belonged to Israel (Rom 9: 4; cf. Jer 31: 31) All other nations were “strangers to the covenants of promise” (Eph 2: 12) Thus, it makes perfect sense (though it would certainly be hard to understand apart from this consideration) that Christ restricts his ministry to the nation of Israel (Matt 10: 5 -6; 15: 24) 3. Israel was called upon to make a choice

The Rejection of the King and His Kingdom 4. Israel’s initial choice was clear enough • • The leaders openly, though indirectly (mainly questions), opposed Him (Mark 2: 16, 24; John 1: 19 -24; 2: 18) The populace excitedly, though faithlessly, embraced Him (John 2: 24 -25; John 6: 26, 36, 66; Luke 4: 16 -30) 5. “Is that your final answer? ”…Yes. • The opposition to Jesus eventually becomes more direct and definitive n n n His family concludes He is mad (Mark 3: 21) The people decide He merits no response (Matt 11: 20) The leaders declare (no more questioning) that He is in league with Satan (Matt 12: 24) [note that Matt 9: 34 and 10: 25 come chronologically after Matt 12: 24]

The Rejection of the King and His Kingdom 6. • • Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit Relates to the Kingdom of God (see esp. Matt 12: 23, 28) Leaders declare Him an imposter king and answer questions like John 9: 22 -23 by attributing the power to Satan. Blasphemy is against the Spirit because His works were done by the Spirit’s power (Matt 12: 18, 28; Luke 3: 22; 4: 1, 14, 18; 10: 21; cf. Acts 10: 38) [|| Heb 6: 4 -6? ? ? ] Such sin is unforgivable because it is the Spirit’s role to draw people to Christ. I. e. , the distinction in Matt 12: 32 is based on the distinct roles of Christ and the Spirit The leaders were those guilty of this sin (Matt 12: 38) However, the nation as a whole would bear the judgment (cf. “generation” in Matt 12: 39 ff) A significant event, evidenced by significant judgment: n n n 7. No forgiveness, ever (Matt 12: 32) No signs; only the death of the King (Matt 12: 40) Unfavorable testimony on the day of judgment (Matt 12: 41 -42) A giving over to demonic influence (Matt 12: 43 -45) A horrific judgment in their “generation” (more to come…) The matter of contingency

Christ’s Ministry in Preparation for the Interregnum 1. “Mystery of the kingdom” parables • • Addressed to the general public (Matt 13: 10 – “Why do you speak to them in parables? ”) Purpose was judgmental…Hearers would hear but not hear and therefore not repent (Matt 13: 14 -15; contrast with Matt 4: 17). With explanation, they would, however, benefit Jesus’ disciples (Matt 13: 11 -12, 16 ff) Content regards the mysteries (something heretofore unrevealed) of the kingdom (refer to Mc. Clain, Frank for Matt 13; note that Paul sees as a mystery the temporary hardening of Israel and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the church through union with Christ [Rom 11: 25 -27; Eph 3: 1 -12; Col 1: 25 -27])

Christ’s Ministry in Preparation for the Interregnum 2. The establishment of the church • • • Background is Israel’s ho-hum attitude about Jesus as the Son of Man (Matt 16: 13 -14) In contrast, Peter, speaking for the disciples, declares the true identiry of Christ (Matt 16: 15 -16) a. Church is future (cf. Acts 2 as a beginning) b. Church has authority, but is not merely an extension of OT assembly (evkklhsi, a) ( c. Church is founded on apostles and prophets (Eph 2: 20) d. Church authority given to Peter (and others? ) n n n Keys speak of authority Given to whole church (note this is not a grammatical argument; singular, unlike Matt 18: 18) Will be exercised in the kingdom (cf. Matt 19: 28; 1 Cor 6: 2 -3)!

Christ’s Ministry in Preparation for the Interregnum 3. Christ clearly teaches about His impending death • Before Israel’s outright rejection, Christ’s teaching about His death was somewhat veiled n n n • John 1: 29 – “Lamb of God” language (John the Baptist) John 2: 19 – “Destroy this temple” John 3: 14 – “As Moses lifted up the serpent…” Mark 2: 20 – “The bridegroom is taken away” Matt 12: 39 – “The sign of Jonah” After Israel’s outright rejection, Christ clearly teaches His disciples about His death n n Mark 8: 31 -32 – “He was stating the matter plainly” See other references in Mc. Clain, p. 331 Again, the matter of contingency (cf. Acts 2: 23) Note the interesting matter of the disciples difficulty in understanding (Mark 9: 32; Luke 9: 45; 18: 34)

Christ’s Ministry in Preparation for the Interregnum 4. Christ’s death is not an abandonment of the kingdom but a postponement • • • OT knew of the suffering and glory of the Messiah Gospels reveal the separation in time between these two realities Transfiguration as a foretaste to quell any fear that the kingdom was no longer to be expected. n n n A “tangibly evident to sense experience” An event attended with supernatural events Moses: Brings to mind kingdom establishment Elijah: Kingdom forerunner God’s voice: Christ as kingdom authority 5. Christ’s death does not mean the disciples’ sacrifice has been in vain (Matt 19: 27 -29)

Christ’s Ministry in Preparation for the Interregnum 6. However, the kingdom will only come after an interregnum, so one must remain faithful until the coming of the kingdom in order to enjoy the kingdom (Luke 19: 11 -28) • • • Circumstances: Kingdom miracles Audience: Multitude and disciples Imagery: Roman princes (esp. Archelaus) Purpose: Patiently and faithfully wait; the kingdom is not at hand! Content n n n n Nobleman = Christ, Far country = heaven Purpose of trip: Receive a kingdom then return Two classes of people: Servants, citizens Servants receive money and summons to “trade” Citizens send delegation to foil reception of kingdom Nevertheless, returns as king and rewards/judges Length of time gone is left indeterminate Parable of kingdom delay only given after outright rejection

Next Week: The Mediatorial Kingdom in the Four Gospels Part III Christ’s Final Week in Jerusalem