THE KINGDOM OF GOD/HEAVEN: A MATTER OF TIMING

Granted that God's "kingdom" is spiritual and does not meet the world's usual definition of that word, the questions remaining are when it began (on the Day of Pentacost?) and will end, and where it is now and/or will be.

As to its beginning point, I consulted an analytical concordance and could not find any specific reference in the NT to the kingdom being initiated on the Day of Pentacost. I then read the extensive articles on “Kingdom” in the Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, Dictionary of the Later New Testament, and New Bible Dictionary (all by different evangelical authors). There wasn't a single mention of the Day of Pentacost or the beginning of the church age as being the start of the Kingdom, and actually very little that equated the Church in any way with the Kingdom. However, they were all in agreement on two points: the Kingdom was inaugurated by Jesus' earthly ministry and it will be finally realized with the creation of the New Heaven and New Earth. In between these times, all believers live in both the presence and promise of the Kingdom (“now, but not yet,” as many commentators put it). Thus, it is still pertinent for us to pray for His kingdom to come.

Some specific NT passages to consider in regard to Jesus' inauguration of the Kingdom while he was still on earth:

1. “the kingdom of God is among you.” Luke 17:20-21

2. The vision of Christ's birth and flight to Egypt in Revelation 12 is followed by “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ.” I recognize that there are other valid interpretations of this chapter.

Also, consider the verb tense in John 18:36: “My kingdom is not from this world.” By the way, the view of both the evangelical Leon Morris (The Gospel According to John) and the Catholic commentator Raymond Brown (Death of the Messiah, p. 750) is that the preposition ek in this verse is best translated as “from” rather than “of.” This is also the position of NRSV. Thus, the statement doesn't say anything about where the kingdom is located, but only about its origin (from heaven). This is confirmed by the use of kosmos (worldly spiritual realm) for “world” rather than ge (physical earth) in this passage.

Passages dealing with the Kingdom as a future reality are more numerous:

1. It is pictured as a future “inheritance” in I Corinthians 6:9, I Corinthians 15:50, Galatians 5:21, Ephesians 5:5, James 2:5, Revelation 21:7.

2. “from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Luke 22:16-18

3. The apostles will “eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:29-30

4. Paul encouraged disciples to continue in the faith: “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”

5. “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom.” II Timothy 4:1

6. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom.” II Timothy 4:18

7. “We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.” This is in the context of the destruction of the present heaven and earth and God's judgment. Hebrews 12:28

8. “For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you." II Peter 1:11