Is the Kingdom Here Now?
A popular
televangelist, as well as many others, proclaims that the “church” is the
Kingdom. Is this true? Is the body of called-out ones the same as the Kingdom?
Does Scripture tell us?
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In the study of end-time events,
the rulership of Yahshua upon His this earth is often
referred to as the millennium.
Several forms of millennialism or millenarianism (also known as chiliasm) are
widely believed. These are found in three major views of the future
thousand-year reign of the Savior. Variations are also found within each view.
POSTMILLENNIALISM The teaching that the Second Advent of the Savior
will occur after the thousand-year millennium. As a result of the preaching of
the evangel by the “church,” a period of righteousness would be established
upon earth. Since World War II, many have become disillusioned with society’s
moral and spiritual decline. The day when the knowledge of Yahweh will fill the
earth as water covers the sea has been but a dream.
PREMILLENNIALISM The most popular view held by many evangelicals
wherein the Savior will literally rule over the earth. This concept dictates
that Yahshua must appear before the millennial kingdom is set up. Premillennialists believe in the literal interpretation of
Revelation and Old Testament related verses.
AMILLENNIALISM A symbolical interpretation of Revelation 20. It says
Yahshua will return to set up His reign after the present earth is destroyed in
judgment and a new heaven and earth is established. Rulership of Yahshua takes place upon His return.
Broken Date
William Miller (1782-1849) is remembered as among the first in more
recent times to preach the return of the Savior to this earth. After a deep
study of Daniel and Revelation, this Calvinist Baptist concluded that the
Savior would return in 1843.
He said that if Nehemiah 2:1
refers to 457 B.C.E. in Bishop Usher’s chronology, then “seventy weeks” comes
out to C.E. 33, the Messiah’s impalement. Thus, 2,300 “days” (years) later
would be in 1843—His second coming! (William Gentz; The Dictionary of Bible and Religion, p.693, Miller, William.)
Miller published his lectures in 1836,
dating the Second Coming of the Messiah between March 1843 and March 1844, with
the final date set at October 22, 1844. Rejected by the Baptists, in 1845 he
and others formed the Adventists Association.
Kingdom Comes to Earth
While Miller’s dates were wrong (and we
should never set dates, for that is Yahweh’s prerogative), the religious world
was challenged with a new concept. Instead of believing Satan’s lie that we
have an immortal soul that leaves the body and goes to heaven (or hell)
immediately upon death, attention was now given to the many prophecies that the
Savior was coming back to this EARTH to set up His Kingdom.
We do not die and go to heaven, but believe
that Yahshua is coming from heaven to resurrect the saints and establish His
Kingdom on earth. “And, behold, I come
quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according to his work
shall be.” (Rev. 22:12).
Thus began a new search for truth known as
“eschatology,” the study of latter-day events.
The question is, are we already in the
Kingdom? Is the “church” synonymous with the Kingdom, as some prominent
preachers are teaching? The disciples asked the resurrected Savior. “Will You at this time restore again the
Kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. Yahshua did not deny that the Kingdom would
eventually be restored to Israel, but He said it was not for them to know the
time when the Father would bring it to pass. It is clear from the study of the
Scriptures that the “church” and the Kingdom are not the same.
Startling Meaning of ‘Church’
The word “church” is a poor rendition of
the Greek “ekklesia”
(also “ecclesia”), literally meaning
“called out.” The Hebrew kahal and ‘edah mean virtually the same: an assembly of a
congregation, meeting, community of called-out believers.
In the Old Testament, Israel was known as kahal Yahweh (Deut. 23:1-3). In the New
Testament, believers were called ekklesia Yahweh,
1Corinthians 1:2. The nation of Israel was known as the “called-out ones” in
Acts 7:38.
The word “church” does not come even close
to properly describing the ekklesia, meaning “called-out ones.”
Owen Barfield in His book, History in English Words, says of
“church”:
“Even church…may
have been brought home by German mercenaries on service in the East. The Greek
‘Kuriakon,’ from which is said to be derived, was in
use in the Eastern provinces, as opposed to the ‘ekklesia’…adopted
by Latin Christianity, and our pagan forefathers probably picked it up
accidentally while they were pillaging the sacred [pagan] buildings in which
their posterity was to kneel.”
Other sources trace the word church to
pagan sources such as Homer’s Odyssey and the worship of Circe (Kirke), a goddess of pagan
Greek mythology. When Christianity amalgamated with paganism and accepted sun
worship and other heathen rites, pagan temples dedicated to Kirke were changed to houses of worship for these converts. They continued to go to “Kirke’s house for worship, which eventually became the
“church.” Kurios (the Greek word for “lord”) is Zeus.
The American
Heritage Dictionary (and other unabridged dictionaries) gives for the root
of the word church: “Middle English chirche from Old
English cirice, ultimately from Medieval Greek kurikon, from late Greek kuriakon (doma), the Lord’s (house) from Greek kuriakos, of the lord, from kurios,
lord.”
Church is then the “house of kurios,” which is “the house of Zeus!”
We prefer “assembly” or “congregation”
rather than church to identify the
called-out ones, which is the meaning of ekklesia. The ekklesia or assembly is being called today to replace those Israelites who have
been cut out of the olive tree of promise. Yahweh is still working with Israel!
Romans 11:7,11.
A New Program Now?
In general, churchianity teaches that Yahweh has given up on the Jews because they rejected the Savior.
They teach that Israel’s mantle fell to Christendom, even as EliYah’s upon Elisha (with a double portion). We are erroneously told that the Old Testament has
been set aside and the New Testament teachings have superseded and done away
with the Old Testament laws. Now all that is required is a conversion to and
belief in Yahshua as the Savior of the world.
“Sola Fide” was the rallying cry of the
reformation at the time of Martin Luther, “Faith Alone.” No works required,
nothing to strive for, no keeping of the law, no obedience. Only believe in the
Savior and one’s salvation is assured.
The Book of James was not a popular book at
that time, for James wrote:
“But
will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham
our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the
altar? See you how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made
perfect?” (James 2:20-22)
The Savior Himself will bring His reward to
this earth to give to His saints at His coming. Notice by what standard the
faithful will be rewarded:
“And,
behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with Me, to give every man according
as his work shall be.” (Rev. 22:12)
Called-Out, Israel Have Same Task
The mission of the Assembly or Body of
Messiah is different from that of the Kingdom. The house of Judah had
collectively rejected the Messiah as their Savior, John 19:15. Romans 11:26-27
tells us all Israel shall be saved according to the covenant made with Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob. Then the Kingdom will be restored to them.
Before that takes place, the Assembly, the
Body of Messiah or the ekklesia is to play a key role in establishing
the Kingdom on earth. The calling out of a people began with Israel.
Peter admonished those gathered, “Save yourselves from this untoward [crooked]
generation.” (Acts 2:40) The same message is addressed to us today. Our
mission as the ekklesia is to live Yahweh’s laws today as a witness to the world around us. We are to
help perfect the saints for the future administering of the law of Yahweh on an
earth made new; to prepare to be the kings and priests in the next age,
Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6.
The Bible emphasizes that this will be a
small group, a remnant, as we see in these New Testament verses:
“Isaiah
also cries concerning, Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be
as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall
be saved:” (Rom. 9:27)
"Even
so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election
of grace.” (Rom. 11:5)
“Fear
not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the
kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
Fleshly Israel failed in the task set
before it, namely, to walk in Yahweh’s ways and learn of Him. Israel will yet
be resurrected to the land with king David ruling from Jerusalem, Jeremiah
30:9; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Hosea 3:5.
Kingdom When?
Those of the ekklesia who are accounted worthy
of that first resurrection will be made spirit, immortal, when Yahshua returns
1Conrinthians 15:51-54. These resurrected saints, made immortal, will be given
power over the nations, Revelation 2:26. Israel’s full opportunity to be a
blessing will come later.
The Apostles wondered when the Kingdom was
to be established. While with them before His death and resurrection, Yahshua
had spoken frequently of the coming Kingdom. Now they asked when the Kingdom
would come and those detestable Romans would be driven out. Since the Savior’s
resurrection from the dead, He appeared able to perform even greater miracle,
and this one would fulfill their dreams.
“When
they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Master, will you
at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is
not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his
own power. But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon
you: and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8)
The Savior had arisen from the dead, but
the Kingdom had not come upon the earth as yet. Israel had not been given the
Kingdom, and Yahshua did not correct the disciples about their concept of the
restoration of the Kingdom to Israel then.
The message of the Kingdom as given in the
New Testament was that Yahweh’s rule of this earth would be carried out by His
special emissaries. One purpose of Yahshua’s sojourn here on earth was to train
His disciples for positions of rulership when the
Kingdom was set up. They were to sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of
Israel, Matthew 19:28.
Peter Given Kingdom Keys
Peter was selected to open the door for
those who were chosen to become rulers in the Kingdom under Yahshua Messiah.
“And
I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My
assembly; and the gates of [the grave] shall not prevail against it. And I will
give unto you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever you shall bind
on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mat. 16:18-19)
Peter confessed belief in the Savior and
upon the bedrock of His confession Yahshua said He would build His assembly; His ekklesia. Peter was promised the
“keys to the Kingdom of heaven.” Just what did Peter do with the keys to the
Kingdom?
It was Peter—of the tribe of Israel and
upon whom the Holy Spirit had fallen—who first preached to Jews on that day of
Pentecost:
“Repent,
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the
remission of sins, and you shall receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For the
promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even
as many as Yahweh our Elohim shall call.” (Acts
2:38-39)
Peter first opened the door of salvation to
the Jews whereupon 3,000 were baptized, becoming members of the Assembly, the
Body of Messiah.
Next, we find it was Peter who with John
came to Samaria and laid hands on the Samaritans (who were considered half-breeds
and outside the promises).
“Now
when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the
word of Yahweh, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come
down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, (For as yet it
was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Master
Yahshua)” (Acts 8:14-16)
Through Peter the Samaritans were also
placed in the Assembly, becoming members of the Body of Messiah by laying on of
his hands following baptism into Yahshua’s Name.
Again, it was Peter who was instrumental in
baptizing the family of Cornelius, a Gentile, a Roman soldier, Acts 10:44-48.
Peter got the point of a vision of a gigantic sheet of unclean and creeping
animals. He now realized that not only Jews and Samaritans could become a part
of the body of Messiah and inherit all things, but Gentiles [considered
unclean] as well: “Then Peter opened
[his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that Yahweh is no respecter of
persons: But in every nation he that fears Him, and work righteousness, is
accepted with Him.” (Acts 10:34-35)
The keys to the Kingdom that were given to
Peter were to immerse ANY believers into the Name of Yahshua Messiah. The door
to the Kingdom is our Savior Yahshua. He calls Himself the door: “Then said Yahshua unto them again, verily,
verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before
me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; by
me is any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture.” John 10:7-9.
‘Church’-Kingdom Differences
Only through Yahshua’s Name we have
salvation, Acts 4:12. We accept His sacrifice through baptism, we become joint
heirs with Him (Romans 8:17), inheriting whatever He has. Becoming a part of
the body of Messiah we are promised the Kingdom, Luke 12:32.
The promise of inheriting and rulership in the coming Kingdom is only through Yahshua
Messiah, for He is the “Seed.” He is the only one who has qualified to receive
all the promises given to Abraham and His progeny: “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not, And to
seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Messiah.” (Gal.
3:16)
“For
as many of you as have been baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah. There is
neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male
nor female: for ye are all one in Messiah Yahshua. And if ye [be] Messiah’s
then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians
3:27-29)
The following is a summary of appendix 113
of the Companion Bible,
differentiating between the Kingdom and
the called-out ones.
The subjects of the ekklesia are spoken of as
inheriting or being heirs of the Kingdom. But we do not inherit or become heirs
of the ekklesia.
We are told of “receiving the Kingdom,” but
not the ekklesia.
We read of “elders, messengers, or
servants” of the ekklesia,
but never of the Kingdom.
The word basileia, rendered Kingdom occurs
162 times and only five times in the plural. Ekklesia occurs 115 times, 36 in the plural and 79 in the singular.
We read of “the children or sons of the
Kingdom”, but nothing of “the sons of
the ekklesia.”
Appellatives such as “Body of Messiah,”
“Bride,” Pillar and ground of truth,” etc. are not used of the Kingdom.
The ekklesia is here now, in this world. The Kingdom is not
here, awaits the King.
Appendices 112 and 113 both reveal that the ekklesia is
the entrance into the Kingdom—but the ekklesia is not the Kingdom.
A Kingdom is composed of a sovereign,
subjects, and a realm. The ekklesia does not contain all of these elements, but
Yahweh’s Kingdom to come to earth will. May you be a part of the faithful,
called-out ones who will inherit the soon-coming Kingdom!
© 2007 Yahweh’s Assembly in Yahshua
2963 County Road 233, Kingdom City, Missouri 65262
View us online at: www.YAIY.org
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