01 Mar What is the Kingdom of God? Part 4
“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.” –Daniel 2:44
The Kingdom hope is revealed repeatedly in the Old Testament as a universal hope through Israel and the Messiah. The psalmist paints a mysterious vision of a coming king who will break the nations with a rod of iron and make them the Lord’s heritage.32
The psalmist promises that the king will cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” as they pierce His hands and feet. Because of this Messiah King, not only Israel but all the nations were promised inclusion in worshiping God alone, for the Lord rules over the nations as the King of kings.33 He will shatter kings on the day of His wrath.34 He is to be feared and praised above all gods.35
The Old Testament Kingdom hope is that God will work His rescue mission in and through Israel to all nations. God’s Messiah will bring righteousness where there is injustice, beauty where there is devastation, peace where there is conflict, unity where there is division, forgiveness where there is sin, healing where there is sickness, and worship where there is idolatry. He will defeat the evil powers, reverse the curse of the fall, give fullness of life in place of death, and restore harmony to all creation. Tragically, many of the Jews had lost sight of this universal hope. They were expecting God to send a king who would lead a military uprising to free them from Roman rule. They wrongly believed that they would then be immediately vindicated so they could enjoy the exclusive blessings of being God’s people. Today, we are to keep the long view of things and await the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to establish His forever Kingdom.
What do you think it will be like to be together with God’s people forever in a perfect world where we live with Jesus?
32 Ps. 2:8–9.
33 Ps. 22.
34 Ps. 110.
35 Ps. 95:3; 96:4–5; 97:7–9; 135:5; 136:2; 138:1.
