Kingdom "nearness"

[RandyK]

On another forum I stated that I thought that the Kingdom is "near" both time-wise and spatial-wise. It is "near," time-wise, in the sense that the Kingdom is already here in a non-eschatological sense. It is also here, spatial-wise, in the same way--in the non-eschatological sense.

I was then answered by someone who believed that the idea of "nearness" is strictly in the "time" sense of "nearness," and not in the "spatial" sense. So here was my answer to him, for your consideration here on this forum:

Yes, I agree that "nearness" certainly had a *time* element, although neither can I deny that "nearness" also had a spatial element, such as we read in the Law that God's word had to be close, or nearby, in order to enable Israel to obey that word. The presence of God's word itself was the empowerment of men to fulfill that word.

But yes, the "fig tree" metaphor indicated a seasonal shift that seems, on its face, the opposite of what we would expect from the context. The context suggests an imminent, comprehensive judgment against Israel, which occurred in 70 AD. And yet the metaphor suggests a seasonal shift from Spring to Summer--something we may see as more positive than negative.

And yet, it is what it is. Jesus saw his 1st Coming as a positive for Israel, despite the negativity associated with his rejection by Israel and its developing judgment. It would provide an atonement for Israel's ultimate restoration, and the more immediate salvation of individuals in Israel who would accept him.

It was a "Summer" that would produce, instead of good fruit, a barren landscape. The 2nd Coming and its restoration of Israel would be preceded by the judgment of 70 AD and by the appearance of many antichrists and false prophets, which were indeed seen in Israel prior to 70 AD.

So these "Birth Pain" signs were said, by Jesus, to preceed not just his 2nd Coming to restore Israel but also would preceed the 70 AD judgment. It was the appearance of Christian persecution by the Jews that would present the sign of impending judgment in 70 AD, along with early signs of God's displeasure, including famines and earthquakes, and signs in the heavens, which took place at Christ's death. News of wars, or rumors of wars, portended the coming authority of Rome to put down rebellion, not just in neighboring countries, but soon in Israel, as well.

So yes, this "nearness" involved a "time" element. But it involved a definition of the Kingdom not just in the escahtological sense, but also in the spatial sense. The judgment of 70 AD would not be the coming of the Kingdom in an eschatological sense, but it would come in the spatial sense, by bringing heaven's judgments to earth in Israel.

In ancient prophecies it was said by God that in bringing historical judgments to Israel He would "reveal Himself to Israel." It was written, "then they will know that I am God."

This is also how God revealed the Kingdom near to Israel in a spatial sense in 70 AD, by revealing Christ's judgments in the 70 AD event. Then Christ would be revealed in that day, even though the Kingdom remained aloof in the eschatological sense.

It's a complex issue for me. Thanks for your patience as I try to explain how I've tackled this subject since the 1970s! ;)

 

[for_his_glory]

Israel lost her right to be called Gods chosen people, (God did save a faithful remnant), as they fell into idolatry worshiping other gods as they allowed themselves to fall from Gods grace as they followed the lust of their own hearts as they practiced Judaism, 1 Kings 9:1-9. God’s judgment against them led them to be captured, 605 – 537 B.C., by Nebuchadnezzar and taken into Babylon for seventy years while Nebuchadnezzar’s army killed many Jews in Judah and Jerusalem destroying the whole city of Jerusalem including the first Temple that was built through King Solomon’s reign in Jerusalem.

The second Temple was built under Ezra’s leadership and Israel continued practicing Judaism and their Temple was desecrated as part of an effort to impose Greek-oriented culture and customs on the entire population. Roman rule refurbished the temple as Herod, Romans vassal king, rules the land of Israel. In 70 A.D. the Temple is once again destroyed. The Temple Mount was taken over in 691 A.D. as the Arab nation built the Dome of the Rock and there has not been any other Temple built since that time on the original Temple Mount.

God gave Israel 490 years to repent. They were set free from Babylon when the Medes and Persian conquered Babylon (Chaldean's) around 538 B.C. They were allowed back in the land and to rebuild the city of Jerusalem, however, they still did not repent for their sin of idol worshiping and they continued to receive punishment from God as the kingdom was taken away and eventually taken over by the Roman Empire. Malachi Chapter 1-4.

The 490 years were up and many of the Jews not only did not repent but they killed the very Messiah they had been waiting for as well as in 24 A.D. they made an opened display of rejecting the Gospel message as they stoned Stephen being the final messenger that was sent to give them their last chance to repent. The Jews were now rejected as God’s chosen people and were no different from the Gentiles as from that time forth each individual, Jew and Gentile has to make their own decision to accept or reject Jesus as Lord and Savior, John 3:3-7; Romans 10:9, 10.

 

[Carry_Your_Name]

On another forum I stated that I thought that the Kingdom is "near" both time-wise and spatial-wise. It is "near," time-wise, in the sense that the Kingdom is already here in a non-eschatological sense. It is also here, spatial-wise, in the same way--in the non-eschatological sense.

In a common analogy, church is compared as God's embassy in a foreign country, and legally an embassy belongs to the country it represents, its compounds is a piece of its home country's territory, an official message from the embassador is a message from the embassador's president; what's more, every Christian is a citizen of God's kingdom representing God on earth, the only way for other people to know God is through God's own people. In this sense, God's kingdom is present, but has NOT fully come, Satan is still the prince of the world, otherwise we wouldn't have to pray "thy kingdom come, thy will be done". You know when it's officially done? When the seventh trumpet is blown and the seventh bowl is poured, which I believe are parallel accounts:

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Rev. 11:15)
Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” (Rev. 16:17)