THE ARMY OF GOD II (THE KINGDOM COMPLEX)

Who were these disciples? Why had they followed Jesus? Where had they come from, such that they were now in this upper room waiting for "the promise of the Father?" Let's go back a few days to the Mount of Olives, just before Jesus ascended into heaven. As the disciples stood there, on the Mount of Olives, shortly before Jesus ascended, it is clear that they were still confused as to the full meaning of the events which had taken place over the last seven weeks. They were especially confused about the kingdom of God. Throughout the ministry of Jesus, they had heard Him continually preach about the “kingdom of God.” This was no small point of interest among these disciples, let alone the nation of Israel. If there was one thing the disciples were interested in, it was this long-awaited kingdom. It is important that we understand where the disciples were coming from in their understanding and expectation of the kingdom of God. It will show us how radical a departure from their religious tradition it was for them to begin preaching a spiritual kingdom, ruled by the risen Christ. Much of the confusion the disciples experienced during the ministry of Jesus is understood once we discover their concept of the kingdom of God. For the kingdom which the nation of Israel expected was NOT the kingdom Jesus preached. In some ways, in fact, these two kingdoms were at odds with each other. In a nutshell, Israel expected a national kingdom; a restoration of Israel to glory among the kingdoms of this earth. This meant a nation free from foreign occupation and tyranny. And most importantly, it meant that Israel could freely worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Of course, to them, this meant the temple as the center of the universe, the Levitical Priesthood, the Old Covenant, and the law all as interpreted and implemented through their religious and nationalistic traditions. Of course, we must once again remember that our frame of reference for Old Covenant, as Christians, was not their frame of reference. To them, there was no “Old Covenant,” or “New Covenant.” There was only THE covenant. The idea of another covenant, even a better one, “based on better promises,” (see Hebrews 8:6) was not even in their thinking. The concept of the Messiah which was held by Israel in that day fell right in line with their concept of the kingdom. The Messiah, according to them, would be more or less a personification of Israel. He would come to save them, and only them. A few Gentile converts would be the exceptions. The Messiah would exalt the nation Israel and subdue the Gentiles. In effect, the Messiah would be an Israeli Messiah. Notice the theme in Israel’s concept of the kingdom: It was mostly nationalistic, physical, and traditional. But Jesus came preaching about a spiritual kingdom, which was for all men, both Jew and Gentile. Rather than come as the king of Israel, Jesus came as the Lamb of God, sent to take away the sin of the world. Jesus simply did not act, preach, or operate like the Jewish Messiah they expected. And to make matters worst there was no example of a conquering king and slain Messiah in the Old Testament. He seemed, at times, to be the antithesis of everything Israel expected their Messiah to be. This conflict began almost from the day John the Baptist announced Jesus. John said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Israel did not expect the Messiah to come as a Lamb. They expected a King. And sin? The Pharisees did not believe in original sin. And the world? What does the Messiah have to do with the world? Thus, right from the start of the ministry of Jesus, He found Himself at odds with the religious leaders of His day. His teaching cut across everything they demanded must be the Truth. They did not understand Him, and they did not want to understand Him. They wanted a Messiah, and a teacher, who would affirm them, and tell them how right they were. Jesus came belonging to no man, simply teaching the Truth of God. The disciples of Jesus shared the Pharisaical misunderstanding of the kingdom of God, and of the Messiah. We see evidence of this everywhere in the gospels. Again and again, Jesus spoke of the kingdom in spiritual terms. Again and again, the disciples understood Him in physical terms. And quite frankly, one of the reasons why Christians today have problems understanding the teachings of Jesus regarding the kingdom of God is that we often try to interpret His words on a physical level. We unwittingly fall into the same trap. Jesus could not have been more clear about the KIND of kingdom He was talking about in His teaching. We read in Luke, “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God comes not with observation. (i.e., a way which can be observed with the eyes.) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) Continually, Jesus taught that the kingdom of God was not an earthly nation. It was not even a church. It was not heaven. It was not a place where God reigns. Jesus taught that the kingdom of God was “God’s reign” over any place. Get that. The kingdom of God is the realm or reign of God. So, if God’s reign is over anything, that item is in the kingdom of God. We must see this or we will never understand the teachings of Jesus. Jesus said that no one can say to you, “Look. HERE is the kingdom of God.” They cannot say, “Lo here!” or, “Lo there!” Why? Because the kingdom does not come in a way which can be observed with the eyes. The kingdom of God is within us. It is a spiritual kingdom. Never, during the ministry of Jesus, did the disciples understand this. Even after He had died, been raised, and was standing on the Mount of Olives, they did not understand. We know this because of what they asked Him immediately prior to the ascension. They asked Him, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) The patience of Jesus with these disciples was an example for us. When would they finally understand this? Jesus knew they would eventually grasp the Truth. So, He simply said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” There would be a kingdom for Israel. But not now. Not for a long time. In effect, Jesus was saying to them, “It is time to close the book on this issue. It is not for you to know when God intends to restore the kingdom to Israel.” Jesus had something better in mind. For He knew that an earthly kingdom of God would be nothing but a hollow shell unless the real kingdom was first set up in the hearts and lives of people. So, He told His disciples, “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The disciples had hoped to be on the ground floor of this soon-to-come kingdom of God. They had expected Jesus to reign and rule from the temple in Jerusalem, with them at His side. They had, in fact, left everything to follow Him, expecting that kind of kingdom. But now He was leaving them. But not without direction. He was telling them what He really wanted: For them to receive power. For them to BE His witnesses. Note that to BE a witness involves much more than to simply “witness.” It means to have the kingdom of God in our heart. It means to be in that spiritual kingdom with Jesus as our personal Lord. Then our life is a witness; I am a witness. Then I can “witness” and it will be real. As they stood on the Mount of Olives that final day with Jesus, the disciples had whatever remained of their “kingdom complex” completely eradicated. Never again do we read of any of them speaking of the kingdom in earthy terms. And as they gathered together in the upper room, waiting for “the promise of the Father,” they must have sensed that something new was about to happen – something which none of them could have possibly anticipated. Written by David Stahl