A Brief Study of The Kingdoms
Tags: 
Acts 28

By Arthur J Licursi

To comprehend and appreciate the Bible, it is first necessary to study and understand rightly a few things about these Two Kingdoms so as to not misappropriate that which applies differently to the Two Kingdoms.

  1. “The Kingdom of (from) Heaven”

Israel’s promised Kingdom is the special theme from the Old Testament through Acts. The Kingdom was the good news first declared “at hand” by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2). His ministry was foretold in Isaiah 40:3. The Kingdom is “OF heaven,” meaning ‘from heaven’ and under the heavens, to be Established Upon The Earth. Jesus of Nazareth then declared this Kingdom to be “at hand,” later it was offered to Israel by “the twelve” Apostles during the Acts period… UNTIL it ended with the Fall of Israel (Rom. 11:1,2, 25, Acts 28).

Acts 28:28 (KJV) Paul said: 28 Be it known therefore unto you [ISRAEL], that the salvation of God is sent unto the GENTILES, and that they will hear [heed] it.

Romans 11:25 (KJV) 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [secret], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is [i.e., has temporarily] happened to Israel, UNTIL the fulness of the GENTILES be come in.

“The Kingdom of Heaven” has for its King “The Lord Jesus Christ,” Who is Israel’s Messiah. During the 35-year Acts period this Kingdom was “at hand” and had the possibility of fulfillment UNTIL the Close of the Acts period when Israel's rebellion and unbelief made it necessary that God Temporarily Withdraw the Kingdom Offer From The Nation Israel... essentially postponing this Kingdom. Soon after the Lord Jesus from heaven saved Paul and through him introduced a new gospel program and heavenly calling for ‘the Gentiles,’ called “the MYSTERY.” It is unrelated to Israel’s program, yet it too is built upon the vital Cross-work of the Lord Jesus Christ who suffered and died for the sins of all mankind.

When ‘Israel of God’ is ultimately receives Christ at His 2nd coming to earth, at the end of the Tribulation period, will they become His prophesied “royal priesthood.” They will then carry the blessings and glory of this Kingdom throughout the entire earth. This will fulfill their ‘great commission’ (Matt. 28:18-20).

In the transfiguration scene of Luke 9:28-36, this Kingdom is the subject. The spectacle is full of symbolism, even the brilliant transformation of Christ's person, which represents the honor and Glory He has with the Father. Moses represents the law, and Elijah the prophets and Christ stands as THE ONE who will fulfill all prophesied things concerning Israel at His return to set up His Kingdom On Earth.

  1. “The Kingdom of His Dear Son” (Col 1:13)

Colossians 1:13 (KJV) 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath [already] translated us into The Kingdom Of His Dear Son:

This Post-Acts Kingdom stands in contrast to the “Kingdom of [from] Heaven” long-promised to Israel, to come ON EARTH. This Kingdom is in the HEAVENLY realm in Christ (Eph 1:3) “FAR ABOVE all heaven” (4:10). This Kingdom it was never spoken of nor prophesied as it “was HID” (Col. 1:26), “Kept Secret,” from mankind until it is revealed to Paul while in prison at Rome (Rom. 16:25). Jesus from heaven revealed it to Paul AFTER Israel’s hope of the Kingdom On Earth was postponed in Acts 28:28.

The “Kingdom of His dear Son,” is the subject of the Administration or “Dispensation” called “The Mystery [God’s secret plan].” It is now open for membership to ALL those who will read, come to see, and believe its teaching from Paul’s POST-ACTS epistles … entering By Faith. In Eph. 1:15-18 Paul prayed for “revelation” for the Ephesians. All detail and instructions concerning this Heavenly sphere can be found only in Paul’s Epistles… written AFTER ACTS closed (cf. Eph., Philip., Col., 1&2 Tim., Titus, and Philemon).

This is the only Kingdom that is offered today to all those that believe, not only in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Cor. 15:3-4), but also This Heavenly Calling. We can only receive our ‘Heavenly Calling’ if we have heard of it and believed it to be our blessed eternal inheritance. Thus, today we are called with Paul “to make all men see what is the Fellowship Of The Mystery [God’s Secret Heavenly Plan), which From The Beginning Of The World Hath Been Hid In God (Eph. 3:9) Col. 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall APPEAR, then shall Ye Also APPEAR With Him In [Heaven’s] Glory.