Big Idea: God’s kingdom is his authority and ability to rule. We see this kingdom exercised over certain realms and people. God’s kingdom reigns over all of creation and over the kingdoms of men. What is God’s Kingdom? God’s _______________ and ________________ to rule over any and all realms within the created order. God has the right to rule over: The Natural Realm The Realms (kingdoms) of ________________ Psalm 47:6–8 (ESV) — 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. Isaiah 40:15 (ESV) — 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. Daniel 2:17-23, 31-45; 4:28-35 (pg. 691) Even the greatest kings of this earth must ultimately answer to the King of Kings. Whether we look at the world from a micro (God’s rule over details) or a macro (God’s rule over the big picture) perspective, God is controlling and orchestrating all the affairs of mankind in order to accomplish the purposes of his kingdom. Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV) — 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Early Christian apologists pointed to the fact that the birth of the Messiah occurred during the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability. Others have pointed to the development of a common language, favorable means of travel, the emergence of an urban civilization that made possible the rapid spread of the Christian message, and so forth. Still others have pointed to the lapse of a definite period of time (cf. Dan 9:24) that had to occur before the appearance of the Messiah. It is sufficient to say with Calvin that “the time which had been ordained by the providence of God was seasonable and fit.… Therefore the right time for the Son of God to be revealed to the world was for God alone to judge and determine.” John 19:8–11 (ESV) — 8 When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. 9 He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” Acts 2:22–23 (ESV) — 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God’s plans and purposes are ultimate and he has the authority and ability to direct the affairs of men to accomplish his will on the earth.
Questions to Consider
Is it a comfort to know that God is ruling over all the affairs of men? Why?
How should this truth cause you to conduct yourself on this earth?
In what ways are you frustrated with culture in which we live? How does this kingdom reality address your frustration?
In what ways might you live more faithfully to this truth of God’s rule over the nations?
