1) The Jewish people believed that Satan's control of the material world would end and it would usher in a kingdom where God's people would see all of their problems solved. Cosmic renewal, as well as changes in social order and spiritual disposition were issues debated over with the ushering in of the Kingdom of God. The main change which was believed to take place though was national deliverance, which in the time of Jesus would have meant freedom from Rome.
Jesus' view of the Kingdom of God was not the same as the Jewish view of the Kingdom of God. While the Jews were waiting for a political leader who would put the nation of Israel's enemies under their feet, Jesus was ushering in a new age in which God was taking the world back from Satan.
2) I think the Scripture is rather clear that Jesus chose to keep his nature as the Messiah secret from certain people at certain times. Why he did that is another thing. I think Scott's explanation of why Jesus kept his identity secret is sufficient. There definitely would have been an enormous amount of expectations which came along with the Messiah and Jesus was wise in his speech in order to make sure that things would play out in God's time.
3) Jesus' baptism was important because it associated him with John's baptism which was declaring that the Messiah had come into the world. Jesus' baptism also established him as the Messianic King and the suffering servant which had been alluded to throughout the Old Testament. This was significant in light of the Jews because the Jews had the Old Testament Scriptures so they had what was needed to know that Jesus was indeed the Christ. However, he was the stumbling block which they would stumble over instead.
4) Yes, the Kingdom of God has arrived. Through Christ there is the idea that the Kingdom of God is realized and is present at this moment but is still awaiting its ultimate fulfillment in the future.
Timothy:
ReplyDeleteIt sounds to me like you are on target. I won’t argue with a future pastor anyways. ;)
I just have a question what do you mean by the ultimate fulfillment of the arrival of the Kingdom, the rapture? The tribulation? Someone told me all the prophesies had been fulfilled. Is that true?
Yes to the Rapture and tribulation. But it is even more than that. It is God completely ushering in His Kingdom in the future where mankind is completely brought back in to the correct relation with its Creator. God's Kingdom has in fact begun to be established, but is not yet completely in place as evidenced in the presence of sin and the control of Satan in the world.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure which set of prophecies you are alluding to in your second question. Are you referring to the prophecies brought forth in the Old Testament as to who the Messiah would be or are you talking about prophecies of the end times?
I am talking about prophesies of the end times. I have heard for years that the end is coming because there are wars and famine and deaths, so I am not sure what they are talking about. I always thought before Jesus returns for the second time that the world was going to be chaotic because the church had been already abducted so there was no one to stop evil; then the Jews left would have to go through the tribulation and do the final work of evangelism and then Jesus returns. But supposedly the Gospel will have to be preach to the end of the earth before Jesus returns and if so, if this would lead to more conversions, then the world should be better, peaceful, harmonious and that would prepare the road for Jesus to establish the New Heaven and New Earth after the final judgment where unbelievers are sent to hell. I don’t know I guess I am confused now. Could you give me some insight on this one?
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
Tim F seems to be our Biblical Scholar of the group, forgive us if we continue to lean on you throughout the semester!!
ReplyDeleteSo is our role in the Kingdom the great comission. Is that what will ultimately bring its fulfillment?
ReplyDeleteI know Jesus is powerful enough to return the second time whether we do our part or not, but at least that is what I learned; that it is necessary that the Gospel be heard for every person in the world even when they didn’t accept it and then the en will come.
ReplyDelete