The Kingdom of God, Student Workbook, SW02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

offer, he says we are now in the Church-age which comes in between the time of Jesus’ kingdom offer, and the time of the Second Coming, when Israel will eventually accept God’s kingdom offer, and the Davidic Kingdom will be set up in the future. Now, no manifestation of the Kingdom is present, everything dealing with the Kingdom is for later. What would you say to this student? Does his view sound credible? How would you answer such an interpretation in light of what you learned in today’s sessions? Since the Fall, God has sought to eradicate and overturn its effect by bringing his reign into this present world. He began to demonstrate his rule concretely by taking the predisposition as a Warrior over his enemies. Through his covenant promise to Abraham, God determined to bring a Seed into the world which would crush the serpent’s head and bless the families of the earth. The promise was renewed in the patriarchs, in Israel, to the tribe of Judah and the family of David. Finally, in the person and works of Jesus of Nazareth, the kingdom rule of God has been inaugurated in a final sense in this world. As Christus Victum , he delivered us from the power of the devil, sin, and death, and as Christus Victor , he has risen from the grave and ascended into heaven as Lord of all. Although not fully realized, the Kingdom has come in the person of Jesus Christ. If you are interested in pursuing some of the ideas of God as a Divine Warrior, you might want to give these books a try: Dawson, John. Taking Our Cities for God . 2nd. ed. Altamonte Springs: Charisma House, 2001. Lind, Millard. Yahweh is a Warrior: The Theology of Warfare in Ancient Israel . Scottsdale: Herald Press, 1980. The interconnections of Jesus’ victory have great relevance for every part of our ministry. Now is the time to try to nail down this high theology to a real practical ministry connection, one which you will think about and pray for throughout this next week. What in particular is the Holy Spirit suggesting to you in regards to the reign of God, and its challenge today? What situation comes to mind when you think about how the truth of God’s reign being inaugurated, and your own life and ministry today? Give yourself time to meditate in the presence of the Lord on these

Restatement of the Lesson’s Thesis

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Resources and Bibliographies

Ministry Connections