Questions Answered in the Sermon

Summary

The sermon discusses the concept of the earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ, a future utopia of righteousness and peace promised in the Bible. It highlights that this kingdom is a recurring theme in Scripture, referred to by various names such as the regeneration, times of refreshing, and times of restitution. The sermon explores how God has mediated His rule throughout history and posits that the earthly kingdom represents the final phase, where Christ will directly reign. It also addresses differing theological views on the nature of this kingdom, contrasting spiritual interpretations with physical or sociopolitical ones, and emphasizes the literal, physical, and spiritual aspects of Christ’s reign in Jerusalem after His second coming, following the tribulation.

Test Your Knowledge

Scrolling down slowly will hide the answer until you can make your choice.

Listen & Read Along

See the full transcript and listen to this sermon here:

1335 Nov 11, 1973

Study Guide

In this lesson, the following questions will be addressed:

Outline 1

Outline 2

Study Questions

The sermon argues for a literal, physical kingdom by drawing on numerous Scriptural descriptions that point to concrete, visible events rather than merely spiritual metaphors. It emphasizes that God’s rule has always been mediated through tangible means—first through Adam, then through human institutions like governments and kings—and that this pattern culminates in Jesus’ direct, physical reign. Key Biblical passages (particularly from Revelation 19 and 20) are cited, depicting Christ’s second coming as a visible, glorious event where He appears on a white horse with a powerful, physical presence, leading angelic hosts and binding Satan in a literal abyss. Furthermore, the sermon highlights the transformation of creation itself—lifting the curse on the earth, restoring Israel, and ushering in an era marked by abundant food, health, peace, and even harmonious relations among animals—underscoring that this kingdom will be a complete, physical restoration of the world as originally intended by God.

.

The sermon explains that God’s rule has been mediated through various means over time. Initially, man ruled directly as Adam did in the Garden of Eden. After the fall, however, God’s rule was exercised through human conscience, which proved inadequate, leading to the institution of human government with laws and capital punishment. Later, God chose key figures—first the patriarchs (such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph), and then judges, prophets, and kings—to uphold His truth and morality. In the present age, His rule is mediated through believers via the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, this progression culminates in the final phase when Jesus Christ will rule directly and physically on earth.

.

The removal of Satan significantly impacts the conditions of the millennial kingdom by eliminating the primary source of deception and organized rebellion against God. According to the sermon, Satan, who currently holds authority over the fallen world, will be bound in the abyss for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3), preventing him from deceiving the nations. Without Satan’s influence, the kingdom will experience unparalleled righteousness, peace, and truth. However, the sermon notes that sin will still exist because humans will retain their fallen nature, though Christ’s absolute rule with a “rod of iron” (Psalm 2:9) will suppress overt rebellion. This removal of Satan allows for a world where justice prevails, truth flourishes, and Christ reigns without opposition, creating an era of unparalleled harmony and divine order.

.

The sermon outlines several key characteristics of Christ’s reign during the millennial kingdom, categorized into political, spiritual, and physical aspects:

Political Characteristics

The preacher emphasizes both the certainty and urgency of preparing for Christ’s return because Scripture guarantees that His kingdom will come, and those who are unprepared will face eternal consequences. The certainty is rooted in Biblical prophecy, particularly in passages like Revelation 19-20 and Matthew 24:29-31, which clearly describe Christ’s visible and triumphant return. The sermon reinforces that every Old Testament prophecy about the kingdom anticipates Christ’s reign, making it a guaranteed future event.

The urgency arises because individuals must decide now whether they will be part of Christ’s kingdom. The preacher stresses that those who reject Christ will suffer judgment, while believers will reign with Him. The appeal is evangelistic, urging listeners to embrace Christ before it is too late. The kingdom’s coming is not just a distant theological idea but an imminent reality that demands a response. By calling for readiness, the sermon encourages believers to live faithfully and share the gospel, ensuring that others can also partake in the future kingdom.

.

According to the sermon, the coming earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ is closely tied to the idea of paradise regained. The sermon states that “Christ then is coming to recapture paradise lost. When Jesus comes and the kingdom comes, it is going to be paradise regained.” Additionally, the earthly kingdom is referred to as “the times of restitution or the regeneration,” indicating that all that was lost in the fall will be restored during this period.

.

According to the sermon, there are varying interpretations of the future kingdom, which can be broadly categorized as spiritual and physical. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:

Spiritual Interpretations:

According to the sermon, God has mediated His rule on Earth in the following ways throughout history:

According to the sermon, the timing of the rapture and the second coming are crucial to understanding the establishment of the earthly kingdom:

According to the sermon, Jesus Christ being referred to as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” is highly significant in the context of the earthly kingdom. It indicates that He is coming to reign and has the ultimate authority. Specifically:

To see all the lessons in this series click on the 1973 Prophecy tag below.