The Kingdom of God
Prophesy & Mystery
The Kingdom of God stands at the center of Scripture’s prophetic program, yet its relationship to Paul’s gospel is often misunderstood. Before unfolding the full structure in my larger writing project—Paul’s Gospel: Its Unique Character, Distinct Message, and Harmony with God’s Eternal Purpose—I’m sharing a few developmental paragraphs here to clarify how prophecy and mystery harmonize in God’s plan.
These paragraphs are part of that ongoing work. They’re still in draft form, but I’m posting them here for interaction, refinement, and thoughtful engagement. Your insights are welcome.
“If there is one eternal purpose administered through different agencies, what is the relationship between the Kingdom proclaimed in prophecy and the Kingdom of God described by Paul?”
“Throughout Scripture the expression "Kingdom of God" is viewed from different vantage points. The prophets primarily view its earthly manifestation promised to Israel. Paul views it from the perspective of God's eternal purpose, revealing the heavenly calling of the Body of Christ and the ultimate reconciliation of all things in Christ. These are not competing kingdoms but complementary revelations of one eternal Kingdom under the sovereign reign of God.”
“In Paul's epistles the emphasis is not upon the earthly, Davidic administration of the kingdom anticipated in prophecy, but upon the believer's present participation in the spiritual realm of God's reign and the heavenly calling of the Body of Christ.”
“The distinctions between Israel and the Church, prophecy and mystery, law and grace, or the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of the Grace of God do not divide God's purpose; they reveal the wisdom of His administration. The God who worked through Israel in time past is the same God who today works through the Church, the Body of Christ. Different agencies serve the same eternal purpose until every aspect of His kingdom is brought to its appointed consummation.”
Yes, one kingdom made up of all of creation, the first “open” heaven and the second heaven plus earth. All underneath the third heaven where God currently resides.
Israel’s kingdom, the earthly kingdom was spoken of by the prophets since the world began.
The heavenly kingdom, first and second heaven was “unsearchable”, “hid”, a “secret”, a “mystery” until God revealed it to Paul in Acts 9. Paul is the first member of the church, the body of Christ and a pattern for all believers to follow.
The reason it was hid, unsearchable, kept a secret was to take Satan at his own craftiness. Satan indwelled Judas Iscariot to make sure Christ went to the cross. Christ’s crosswork is exactly what doomed Satan and his cohorts.
All of creation will eventually, not immediately, it will take the 1,000 years of Christ’s rein on David’s throne, to get God will
In place in both realms, heaven and earth.