Understanding the Fulfilled View The Kingdom Arrived in the First Century Part 8 of 10

By Dan Maines

Understanding the Fulfilled View
The Kingdom Arrived in the First Century
Part 8 of 10, all posted same day, links at bottom

Introduction
Many believers today are still waiting for the kingdom of God to arrive, but scripture is clear that the kingdom was inaugurated and established in the first century. Jesus preached that the kingdom was at hand, the apostles declared it had come, and every New Testament time statement places its arrival in their generation. Scripture interprets scripture, and nothing in the Bible teaches a far future kingdom arrival. The kingdom Jesus promised came with power in the first century, exactly when He said it would.

The Old Testament Foretold the Kingdom Arriving in the Days of the Roman Empire

Daniel 2:44
In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people, it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.
† The kingdom was to be established in the days of the Roman Empire, not in a distant future.
† Jesus lived during the Roman Empire, fulfilling this prophecy exactly.
† Scripture interprets scripture. The kingdom could not be future when Daniel said it would come in their days.

The Kingdom Was Promised to the Saints

Daniel 7:18
But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.
† The saints receiving the kingdom happens with Christ's victory and resurrection.
† This fits perfectly with New Testament teaching that believers were brought into the kingdom.
† The prophecy was fulfilled in the first century.

The Kingdom Was Given to the People of the Saints

Daniel 7:27
Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One, His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.
† This parallels Jesus' words about the kingdom being taken from Israel and given to a new people.
† This happened in the first century when the Old Covenant ended.
† Scripture interprets scripture. Daniel's prophecy matches Jesus' teaching.

Jesus Declared the Kingdom Was Near in His Lifetime

Mark 1:14-15
Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel.
† Jesus said the time was fulfilled, not future.
† The kingdom was at hand, not far away.
† This alone should settle the question.

Jesus Said the Kingdom Would Arrive Before Some Standing There Died

Mark 9:1
And Jesus was saying to them, Truly I say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.
† Jesus directly tied the kingdom's arrival to His generation.
† Some there would live to see it come with power.
† This eliminates any future kingdom theory.

The Kingdom Came When the Son of Man Came in Judgment

Matthew 16:27-28
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds. Truly I say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
† The coming of the Son of Man is the coming of the kingdom.
† Jesus placed the event in His listeners' lifetime.
† This was fulfilled in the first century.

The Kingdom Would Be Taken From Old Covenant Israel

Matthew 21:43
Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing the fruit of it.
† National Israel lost the kingdom.
† The kingdom was given to those who produced its fruit, the New Covenant people.
† This transfer happened when the Old Covenant ended in AD 70.

The Kingdom Came Without Visible Political Structures

Luke 17:20-21
Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, Look, here it is or There it is. For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.
† Jesus denied a visible earthly kingdom.
† The kingdom was already present among them through Christ.
† Scripture interprets scripture. The kingdom is spiritual, not political.

Jesus Was Enthroned as King at His Resurrection and Ascension

Acts 2:29-36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.
† Peter declared that Jesus was already enthroned as Lord and King.
† The kingdom began with His resurrection and exaltation.
† This is the fulfillment of Daniel's kingdom prophecies.

The Early Church Preached the Kingdom as Present Reality

Acts 8:12
But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized.
† Philip preached the kingdom as something already at hand.
† The early church was not waiting for a future kingdom.
† This proves the kingdom's arrival in the first century.

Believers Had Already Been Transferred into the Kingdom

Colossians 1:13
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.
† Paul says believers were already in the kingdom.
† The kingdom existed in his lifetime.
† A future earthly kingdom contradicts scripture.

Believers Were Already Receiving the Kingdom

Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude.
† The kingdom was being received in the first century.
† This proves the kingdom was already present.
† Scripture interprets scripture. The kingdom had arrived.

Believers Were Called Into God's Kingdom in the First Century

1 Thessalonians 2:12
So that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
† Paul states believers were called into the kingdom then, not later.
† This fits the entire New Testament pattern.
† The kingdom is already a reality for God's people.

John Declared They Were Already a Kingdom

Revelation 1:6
And He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father.
† John said believers were already a kingdom.
† This was before the fall of Jerusalem.
† Scripture interprets scripture. The kingdom had arrived.

How It Applies To Us Today
† Believers do not wait for a kingdom that has not yet arrived. We live in it now.
† The kingdom arrived with Christ's authority, His resurrection, and His judgment on Old Covenant Israel.
† Understanding this truth frees believers from futurist fear and confusion and places them firmly in the reality of the fulfilled New Covenant world.

† This is the fulfilled perspective we proclaim at Fulfilled Prophecies †
© Fulfilled Prophecies - Dan Maines.

Source Index
† Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:27, Mark 1:14-15, Mark 9:1, Matthew 16:27-28, Matthew 21:43, Luke 17:20-21, Acts 2:29-36, Acts 8:12, Colossians 1:13, Hebrews 12:28, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Revelation 1:6

Series - Understanding the Fulfilled View

01 The Time Statements Mean What They Say Website

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1349070089314462/posts/1894198244801641/

02 Audience Relevance, Their Generation Website

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1349070089314462/posts/1894198808134918/

03 The End of the Age Was Not the End of the World Website

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1349070089314462/posts/1894199314801534/

04 The Last Days Were Their Last Days, Not Ours Website

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1349070089314462/posts/1894199971468135/

05 The Coming of the Son of Man Was a Judgment Coming Website

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1349070089314462/posts/1894200534801412/

06 The Judgment of Babylon Was the Judgment of Jerusalem Website