IT'S NOT ABOUT THE CHURCH - YET!

Did you know that the phrases, "the Kingdom of God," and "the Kingdom of Heaven," do not appear in the Old Testament?  Perhaps that is because neither the Jews, nor the Gentiles, wanted God as their leader; they wanted a human leader who was wise and powerful, and who would conquer their enemies (1 Sam. 8:1-22).  The Jews longed for "their Messiah," "the Anointed One," "the Christ," not realizing that the One for whom they longed would turn out to actually be God (Jn. 20:28)! 

The phrase, "the Kingdom of Heaven" appears thirty-one times in the Scriptures, all in Matthew.  By comparing Matthew with Mark and Luke, we find that the two phrases are interchangeable.  So when His disciples asked Him, moments before His Ascension to heaven, "Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel," they, being Jews, were still longing for an earthly King.  After all, God has promised Israel that He will provide them with a Righteous King, One whose kingdom will last forever (Dan. 2:44; 7:14; Mic. 4:7; Lk. 1:33; Jn. 12:34; Heb. 1:8; etc.). 

In His Olivet Discourse, Jesus explained when God's promise would be fulfilled.  First, there will be a seven-year Tribulation (Dan. 9:24-27; Mt. 24:4-29; Rev. 6 - 18) to be followed by the literal Kingdom of God/Heaven on earth (Mt. 24:29 - 25:46; Rev. 20:1-7).  Make no mistake; it will be a Jewish Kingdom!

          *  Mt. 24:4 - Jews to be aware of false Christs!
          *  Mt. 24:6 - Jews hear of wars but do not experience them!
          *  Mt. 24:7 - Jews provided for during times of famine and pestilences!
          *  Mt. 24:9 - Jews persecute those who turn to Christ in their synagogues!
          *  Mt. 24:14 - Jews hear the Gospel of the Kingdom!
          *  Mt. 24:15 - Jews offended by the Abomination of Desolation!
          *  Mt. 24:16 - Jews in Judea flee from the Antichrist!
          *  Mt. 24:20 - Jews alone are concerned about the Sabbath!
          *  Mt. 24:23 - Jews still expecting their Christ!
          *  Mt. 24:24 - Jews still require a sign in order to believe!
          *  Mt. 24:31 - Jews are regathered to meet their Messiah!
          *  Mt. 24:32-46 - Gentiles judged based upon how they treated the Jews!

Christ and His Church will return to rule over Israel's Kingdom!

(2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:6)