Kingdom of God, Part 1: Universal and Mediatorial.Sunday September 6, 2026
We’re stepping aside from Colossians for a series over 7 classes. The reason is that we have just encountered the kingdom of God’s Beloved Son at the end of Paul’s prayer and now we are going to behold the Son Himself.
Defining “kingdom”: a kingdom involves a king who rules, a realm that is ruled, and the actual existence of that rule. (McClain / Pentecost)
Graham Goldsworthy: God’s kingdom is God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule and blessing.
Contradiction?
The Bible speaks of God’s kingdom with differences that seem to contradict.
Always / beginning:
Psa 10:16 The Lord is King forever and ever; Nations have perished from His land.
Dan 2:44 “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed …”
Universal / local:
Psa 103:19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.
Isa 24:23 the Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
Rule directly from God / Mediator
Dan 4:35 He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth;
Psa 2:6 "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain."
Future / present
Zec 14:9 And the Lord will be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only one,
Psa 29:10 The Lord sat as King at the flood; Yes, the Lord sits as King forever.
Unconditional rule / covenant.
Dan 4:34 [Nebuchadnezzar] For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
Psa 89:27-28 "I also shall make him My firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. 28 "My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall be confirmed to him.
Not two kingdoms. Extent and method.
Universal kingdom (“eternal”):
Mediatorial kingdom (“theocratic”):
Always existed
Psa 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
It exists without interruption through all time (Lam 5:19).
Universal, 1Ch 29:11-12
1Ch 29:11-12 "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12 "Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.
Includes all that exists in space and time.
Angels included (Psa 103:19). Hades included (Amo 9:2)
God rules directly,
Psa 59:13 Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more; That men may know that God rules in Jacob To the ends of the earth. Selah.
By this God can and does direct the stream of history.
Assyria is a tool in His hand (Isa 10:5-15); king of Babylon (Jer 25:9); Medes (Jer 51:11); Cyrus (Isa 44:28-45:4).
Divine control may be exercised by supernatural means (Dan 6:27). God does what He pleases (Psa 135:6-9).
Always exists to its intended results regardless of the attitude of its subjects (Dan 4:33).
Dan 4:33 “Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle…”
God’s angels who always do His will (Psa 103:20).
Psa 103:20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word!
Eph 1:11 who works all things after the counsel of His will
The UK is an ever present reality from which there can be no escape (Psa 103:19). No one can be free of it (not the devil either) Psa 75:4-7.
The rule of the UK is administered through the eternal Son (Col 1:17)
The Son established and created the UK (Joh 1:1-5; Isa 9:6 “everlasting Father”).
The Son made the worlds (Heb 1:2; Heb 11:3).
Since the fall, God’s will is not exercised on earth as it is in heaven.
Defined: a) The rule of God through a divinely chosen representative who not only speaks for God but also represents the people before God. b) A rule that has special reference to earth. c) The mediatorial ruler is always a member of the human race (hence Satan could never acquire it).
The mediatorial idea is centered on three functions: prophet, priest, and king.
Only Christ has all three fully. Only in Him is the answer to Job 9:32-33 “there is no umpire between us.”
The mediatorial idea runs throughout history and most of the Bible’s attention is given to it when “kingdom” is in view.
OT history; OT prophecy; Gospel; Acts; Church age; Millennial age; Universal eternal kingdom of God.
No one is outside God’s Universal kingdom.
Nothing in life is ever going to be perfect until Christ comes.
There will be something wrong with every nation, government, corporation, community, church, family, and person.
God is not exercising full rule on earth or on you (but patience, 2Pe 3).
Do not fret - only Christ can establish His kingdom on earth.
Psa 37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.
Psa 37:7-9 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. 9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.
In our age God is calling out a people for His name (kingdom; Act 15:13).
You are to fulfill the Great Commission. You are a light to the world, salt to the earth.
You are to establish justice where possible - home, churches, business, governments (local), community.
Do not be shocked at the evil injustice, and do not think they are going to get away with it. |