What Is the Mission of The Kingdom of God Within The Church
Every attempt to define the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the Church. And between the Kingdom of God and the world is necessarily unfinished.
In the second part of this series on understanding the difference between religion and the kingdom of god as it relates to humanity.
We are going to dig into the mission of the Church as it relates to the Kingdom.
To speak of the Kingdom of God. It is to say of God’s redemptive purpose for the whole Creation. And of the historical profession that the Church has. Concerning that purpose here and now, in between the times.
It is also to speak of an eschatological reality, which is both the starting point and the goal of the Church.
Therefore, the Church’s mission can only be understood in light of the Kingdom of God.
What Does Eschatological Mean?
Why is it vital for us to know about it?
It relates to death, judgment, and the soul’s final destiny and humankind.
Eschatology means the study of the end times or end-time events in the Bible.
Eschatology starts (and ends) with what God has done. And is doing for all of us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
God’s love for humans through Jesus (God the Son). He was sent to Earth at the time predicted by prophecy. To pay the penalty for humanity’s sin, redeem and adopt us humans as God’s children (Galatians 4:4-5).
The Reality of the Kingdom
The central driving force of the New Testament is that Jesus Christ has come to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy.
The Kingdom of God has become a present reality in His person and work.
One of the basic concepts of Jewish eschatology during the time of Jesus and his Apostles was that of the two ages, clearly expressed in a method accustomed to rabbinic literature: this age and the age to come.
The duality of Jewish eschatology reflects the deep disheartenment.
Into which the Jewish people had fallen during the rule of pagan emperors in the post-exilic period.
The voice of God was silent; the messianic Kingdom promised by the prophets had not appeared.
Instead, the faithful in Israel were victims of the Gentiles’ hate and persecution.
Out of this setting, a concept of history appeared in Israel. With an exaggerated interest in the future and persistent scorn for the present.
At this moment, history was divorced from eschatology.
Although the Jews still expected God to set up a new Creation. They saw that action taking place in the future.
The present, by contrast, was abandoned to the dominion of evil and suffering.
Such an eschatology stands in opposition to the Old Testament prophets, for whom the fulfilments of God’s purposes within history held the utmost importance.
As G. E. Ladd has pointed out. ‘The prophetic message is addressed to the people of Israel. In a specific historical situation.
When the present and the future are held together in an eschatological tension. Throughout the New Testament.
The doctrine of the two ages is accepted but interpreted in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The fundamental argument is that in the life and work of Christ. God has acted definitely to fulfill his redemptive purpose.
The leading Actor (Jesus) appeared, and the eschatological drama of Jewish hope began.
How Eschatology Has Invaded History.
The impact of the former upon the latter. It has produced what Oscar Cullman called the new division of time.
In contrast to Judaism, the New Testament writer’s past – has arrived in Jesus Christ.
Although the midpoint of the timeline has appeared, the completion of the new age is still in the future.
The same God who intervened in history to start the drama is still acting and will continue the work to bring the theater to its conclusion.
Therefore, the Kingdom of God is a present reality. And a promise to be fulfilled in the future.
It is consequently present among us and is to come; therefore, we wait for its establishment.
This immediate affirmation of the present and future creates eschatological tension, which infuses the entire New Testament.
And undoubtedly stands for a rediscovery. Of the Old Testament prophetic-apocalyptic eschatology. Which Judaism had lost.
The most recent studies of the eschatology of the New Testament.
Highlight the oldest tradition of Jesus’ preaching that merges the affirmation of the coming Kingdom as a present reality with the expectation of the future completion of God’s redemptive purpose.
Yet the basic idea of Jesus’ mission and the central theme of His preaching is not the hope of the Kingdom’s coming at some inevitable date in the future.
But the fact is that in His person and work, the Kingdom is already present.
He affirms that no one knows the day and hour at which the eschatological drama will conclude.
“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even Heaven’s angels or the Son. Only the Father. So, keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t see the timetable.
It’s like a man who takes a trip—leaving home and putting his servants in charge. Each assigned a task and commanded the gatekeeper to stand watch.
So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning Evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning.
You don’t want Him showing up unannounced with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.” Mark 13:32-37 MSG
But He also affirms that the beginning. The last act of the drama (‘the last days’) has already begun in Him.
The Kingdom has to do with God’s dynamic power. Through which the blind receive sight, the lame walk. Those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hears, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached (Matt. 11: 5).
The Spirit of God or the finger of God casts out demons (Matt. 12:28; Luke 11:22).
It is seen in liberation from demon possession (Luke 8:36)
blindness (Mark 10:52)
hemorrhage (Mark 5:34)
And even death (Mark 5:23).
The Kingdom of darkness, which parallels ‘This age,’ has been conquered.
The strong man has been disarmed, conquered, and plundered (Matt. 12:29; Luke 11: 22).
The hour announced by the prophets has arrived.
He came to Nazareth, where he had been raised. As He always did on the Sabbath, He went to the meeting.
When He stood up to read, He was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written,
God’s Spirit is on me. He’s chosen me to preach the message of good news to the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, set the burdened and battered free, and declare, “This is God’s time to shine!”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.” Luke 4:18-21 MSG
In other words, Jesus’ historical mission can only be understood in relationship with the Kingdom of God.
His mission here and now reveals the Kingdom as a reality. Present among people in His person and action.
He was preaching the gospel and His works of justice and mercy.
So, the Kingdom of God is God’s dynamic power visible through existing signs pointing to Jesus as the Messiah.
It is a new reality that has entered the movement of history and affects human life. Morally, spiritually, physically, psychologically, materially, and socially.
In expectation of eschatological perfection at the end time, it has been inaugurated in the person and work of Christ. It is active among the people, although it can only be discerned from the perspective of faith (Luke 17:20, 21).
The achievement of God’s purpose still lies in the future. But a preview of the eschaton is already achievable.
It is in the light of the evident expressions of God’s Kingdom. That Jesus’ decree of the Kingdom can best be understood.
After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s Kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the message.” Mark 1: 14-15 MSG
His announcement is not just a verbal message. It was not given in isolation from the signs which validate it.
But good news concerning something which can be seen and heard.
Jesus’ words mean:
1. It is news concerning a historical fact – an event that takes place and affects human life in every way.
2. It is news of public interest. It has to do with the whole of Human history.
3. It is news related to the fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophecy. The Malkuth Yahweh was announced by the prophets and celebrated by Israel. Has become a present reality.
4. It is news calling for repentance (changing the way you think) and faith.
5. It is news resulting in the formation of a new community, a community of people who are personally called.
The clear sense in which the Kingdom of God has come. Can be seen in the unfolding of the story of Jesus’ work.
It Is in him and through him that the Kingdom has become a present reality.
What are your thoughts on The Mission of The Church Within The Kingdom of God?
Leave your comments in the section below.
Make sure you read the first part of this series
Understanding The Difference Between Religion and The Kingdom of God
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Have You Received Salvation?
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it.
And why? Because that person failed to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-18
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you. Unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
How Can Anyone Be Born Again Who Has Already Been Born and Grown Up?
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit. He cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.” John 3:5-6
Born from Above
“Therefore IF anyone is in Christ, he IS a NEW creation, old things have passed away, behold all things have become NEW.” 2 Cor 5:17
What does the Bible say about how you get salvation?
The ABCs of salvation is the acronym for admitting, believing, and confessing.
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and is justified; with your mouth, you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10
Because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God]. And believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.
With the heart, a person believes [in Christ as Savior]. Resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God].
With the mouth, he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (AMP)
We receive salvation in Christ through repentance and faith. This means changing our thinking, turning away from sinful ways (repentance) and, turning to God (faith), trusting in Christ.
Jesus will forgive our sins and set us on a path to life with Him. We cannot earn this right. It is His free gift.
It is a free gift because Jesus has already forgiven you. He is waiting on you to decide to choose Him in this very moment at this exact time in the present.
What If You Die Today?
Have you ever thought about that question? People die every day, and many of those deaths are totally unexpected. Have you ever considered your eternal destiny?
If so,…
Choose to receive the Kingdom of God by Confessing that Jesus is Lord.
Pray this Prayer
“Father God, Holy is your name. Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done in my life.
Come into my heart and my mind as my Lord and Savior.
Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in your Spirit and not in my flesh daily by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Father God, I welcome your word into my life and declare and decree that “Jesus is my Master .”
Embracing, my body, soul, and Spirit, I am calling out to you, God, trusting that you do it for your glory.
I believe God, you have set everything right between You and me!
Thank You, Lord, for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus’ Name. It is so. Amen.”
That’s salvation. With your whole being, you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it right out loud: “God has set everything right between him and me!”
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Resources
The Mission of The Church Is In Light Of The Kingdom Of God. C. Rene Padilla. –
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/026537888400100206
Rediscovering The Original Role and Purpose of The Church. Myles Munroe. Youtube. https://youtu.be/roWebdV5MxI
Mark 13 | MSG Bible | YouVersion. https://www.bible.com/bible/97/MRK.13.msg
Luke 4:18 – Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Luke%204%3A18
Galatians 4:4-5 – The Message (MSG). Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%204%3A4-5&version=MSG,AMP
Mark 13:32-37. The Message (MSG). Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+13%3A32-37&version=MSG;AMP
Jews. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews
Eschatology. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschatology
Matt. 11: 5. The Message (MSG). Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+11%3A+5&version=MSG;AMP
Malkuth. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malkuth
Hello my friend and thank you for the post. I’m no longer a Christian (unless you include Gnosticism) but when I was, I was a Catholic. I don’t fully agree with everything you have said here, from a logical standpoint, biblical standpoint, and historical Christianity standpoint. I don’t have time to go through all the verses, but one that immediately comes to mind is at the end of Mark, in which Jesus says he who believes AND is Baptized shall be saved. There are several verses that show that you need to work out your salvation, that salvation can be lost, that it is an ongoing process. And historical Christianity has shown over and over again that early Christians believed these things.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving your thoughts on the subject matter! It is greatly appreciated.
And that is all true for Christianity… especially when it is viewed from a religious perspective.