When will God’s kingdom begin?
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.” Romans 8:19
What is the meaning of this scripture? What is it that the human race is waiting for? Unknowingly the human race is waiting for the completion of Jesus’ church, the heavenly body of Christ, also scripturally referred to as his “bride,” which is composed of faithful Christians since the time of Jesus’ death. Until that heavenly body is complete, the earthly kingdom cannot be fully established.
We believe that once the last church member passes away, then the four hands who are holding back the four winds of destruction (symbolizing Armageddon) will let those winds loose. (See Revelation 7:1-4.)
The opportunity to be part of Jesus’ bride class in heaven is still open since Armageddon has not commenced. Scriptures state, however, that there will come a time when all work will cease (John 9:4). It will be then evident that the church class is complete so that the four winds, mentioned above, can be loosed bringing an end to this present age of sin and death and ushering in Christ’s kingdom on earth.
Although Jesus died for everyone, his blood was first applied for his church (those who have chosen to follow him and live a life of righteousness, while sacrificing their human wills in order to do the will of God).
When this church class is completed, Jesus’ blood will be applied for the vast majority of humanity. After a period of turmoil (Armageddon) Christ’s earthly kingdom will be set up and all who ever lived, the evil as well as the good, will come forth from their graves and have an opportunity for everlasting life after a period of judgment in which righteousness is learned.
The heavenly class will rule with Jesus as his “bride” (Revelation 21:2) for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4) and will be instrumental in helping to restore the billions returning from their graves. The end result for the world of mankind is spoken of in Zephaniah 3:9.
“For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.” Zephaniah 3:9
Since we do not know when the last church member will go “home” to be with Jesus, we do not know the date when Armageddon will begin, nor how long it will last before the peaceable earthly kingdom will be ushered in.
Nonetheless, we do believe the time is short. We are told in the Bible that four events would transpire to confirm that our present time is drawing to a close and Christ’s kingdom was near. These signs are:
- The return of Israel (symbolized by the fig tree) to her homeland (Matthew 24:32)
- The increase of knowledge (Daniel 12:4)
- Rapid transportation innovations (Daniel 12:4)
- World-wide trouble threatening universal destruction (Matthew 24:21)
Because we have witnessed and are witnessing all the above events today, we believe we stand at the very brink of Christ’s peaceable kingdom on earth. Jesus assures us, “When you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (Matthew 24:33-34)
The signs are evident that God’s kingdom on earth will be fully established in the near future. The LORD has said, “For the revelation waits for an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3)
To learn more about the end times, listen to, “Are We Living in the ‘End Times’?”
To learn more about God’s future kingdom, listen to, “How Did Jesus Describe the Kingdom of Heaven?”
