2a-Anticipation of God's Kingdom

Westside Care Center Tuesday Bible Study August 8, 2006 A-wing Lounge

Rev 20.11 – Promise of a coming Kingdom ‘one thousand’ appears 7 times

OT Prophesies of a Kingdom

2 Sam 7, Ps 2, Ps 110

Jesus Christ as Messiah is going to reign on the throne of David according to these passages.

This has NOT happened yet. [IT MUST HAPPEN]

John the Baptist in the NT foretold a Messiah was coming he was annointed to ‘prepare the way for’

Jesus’ first words after His Baptism were:

Mt 3:2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" also Mt 4:17 and Mr 1:15

As Disciples went out they preached ‘the gospel of the kingdom’ of heaven.

Matt 16 — Jesus began to talk of his crucifixion and stated it outrightly 3 times

Mt 20:19 "and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again."

Mt 26:2 "You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified."

Lu 24:7 "saying, `The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"

[chap 13– He began to use parables after Jewish leaders rejected Him [Mat 12] and boldly attributed his works to the devil.

16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Luke 18:31 – first mention, v. 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Jesus was willing to set up the kingdom. Yet He knew a rejection was coming. It still means a legitimate offer of the kingdom was made.

Triumphal entry– The people were expecting a glorious and majestic ushering in of the kingdom.

James and John’s mom wanted them sitting on Christ’s right hand.

Acts 3 Peter’s message was "repent...and be converted...until the restoration of all things" – they anticipated it right away!

Resurrection and before the Ascension He spoke of the Kingdom.

Section 2 — Message

Luke 19:11 Jesus’ purpose was to ‘ratchet down’ their expectation.

In our age...we have political campaigns – politician promises anything to get elected. Opposite with God. You have to meet GOD’s Qualifications – Repentance

How was it a genuine offer– The same as someone offering us to get saved, even if we were to reject it, we could still accept and be saved. He knew they would not accept it. Compare Jerusalem’s rejection (Mat 23.37)

Zechariah 12 – another holocaust is coming for Israel according to this prophet.

The disciples were told of His crucifixion even though they were not prepared to hear, SO THAT when He did rise from the dead, they would REMEMBER and then believe it!

Certain nobleman – has to identify Jesus. (Dan 7:9-14, esp 13-14 – this is the only place in the OT where Jesus is referred to as ‘the Son of Man’ – which was His favorite term for Himself on earth – It is here He is promised an eternal Kingdom. In Christ’s mind every time he spoke of the Son of Man, He saw this scene in His mind.

Section 3 — The Big Idea

Luke 19.12

Who is he– obviously he is Jesus – no one is more noble than He!

He’s going to a far country [heaven, where He is now]

He’s going to receive the kingdom. He’s going to be Inaugurated [Dan 7 as above]

He’s going to be established as the king, and then He is going to come back to receive His kingdom.

Real Issue is DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE HIM? If you do believe, it changes your life.

Several types of people are represented in this parable:

1) servants of His [before He is inaugurated as king] first 2 servants it made no difference to them whether or not He was crowned– they worked diligently.

2) His citizens – everyone who hates Him! How do we know they hate Him (v. 14) ‘don’t come back, we don’t want You’

Illustration – Archelaus in Rome in 4BC Judea rejected him, and he became governor INSTEAD OF KING!

–It makes no difference to the nobleman that they rejected– the next verse [literary device called juxtaposition] says "AND HE CAME BACK" – GOD’S Attitude – no significance.

Illustration 1– Christian refusing to wear immodest swimming suits being mocked by news reporter.

Illustration 2– Intelligent Design approved for Kansas public schools mocked as being ignorant by having to hear such things as a God-like being as Creator.

Illustration 3– giving 1/10th or more to God’s works seen as a great waste by unbelieving people.

3)3rd Servant with one ‘pounds’ [mina] – Imposter , not genuine because he is later cast into ‘outer darkness’

No faith in Jesus as your only hope of salvation, this man was never saved.

V. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

It seemed by reading this passage that the nobleman had forgotten all about what those citizens said about Him. They were dealt with immediately by the nobleman and their end was to be slain.

Ps. 50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

Section 4 — Applications:

1. Trust the Nobleman NOW. Believe in Jesus and be saved from your sin.

2. Believer’s : Do not be intimidated by the world, rededicate your life and serve Him anew.

3. TONIGHT: Prayer and God’s Kingdom: Remember as you pray about God’s Kingdom, to multiply that which you have 1) your life, 2) your spiritual gift, 3) your influence for His Kingdom: