Old Testament Kingdom Prophecies. Literally or spiritually understood?

[Dave L]

Old Testament Kingdom Prophecies. Literally or spiritually understood?



It appears the major split in the Church today is over who to believe. Jesus and Daniel, or the Pharisees.

Daniel said the Kingdom of God would appear during the times of the ancient Roman Empire. And Jesus confirmed this as true. He preached the Kingdom was at hand. It already had been suffering violence. And that he casting out demons was proof it arrived. But he threw everyone a huge curveball to everyone by saying this.

Everyone expected a literal physical kingdom similar to David’s that would rid the land of the Romans and do all the Old Testament prophets said it would do.

But here’s what happened instead. Jesus continued preaching the gospel of the Kingdom describing it as invisible. Also spiritual in makeup. A kingdom only the born again could see. Later he said his kingdom is not of this world and comes without observation. That the kingdom is within you.

In contrast, the Pharisees taught a literal physical kingdom based on a literal interpretation of Old Testament Kingdom Prophecies. And so, here’s where the split begins. Do we side with Jesus and Daniel, thinking it must have been a spiritual kingdom they were thinking about? Opting for a purely spiritual kingdom that must now be present? Or do we side with the Pharisees and say Jesus and Daniel were wrong because the physical kingdom of the prophets didn’t show when it was supposed to?

What it means. If Jesus and Daniel were right, all the Old Testament Kingdom Prophecies were symbols of the spiritual Kingdom, not to be taken literally. Similar to Revelation where the symbols depict spiritual realities. That is how Jesus and the Church interpreted them.

Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. And eventually, the disciples caught on. Peter preached the completed gospel at Pentecost. It includes Jesus’ death burial and resurrection. With his ascent to heaven where he presently rules from David’s Throne. Nearly all versions of the gospel miss this that Jesus is now seated on David’s throne in heavenly Jerusalem above.

Jesus is Ezekiel’s Temple. The Temple made without hands. And when you study it, only God can build it because of incomplete height measurements. You would need to add to God’s word in order to build it.

Jesus also said John the Baptist was Elijah. Meaning Elijah was a symbol for John.

He also taught in the Beatitudes that believers are Israel to whom the promises apply. This by recognizing the fruit they bear. Paul elaborates on this later defining Jesus as Abraham’s Seed to whom the promises apply.

The Pharisees rejected this since it didn’t match their millennial views of the 1000 year-long physical kingdom they expected. One that ultimately ends in a third temple and animal sacrifices for the whole world. Incidentally, Hebrews 6 calls this an unforgivable sin even though many Christians have it in mind to do just this if and when the occasion arises.

So if we have what it takes, we need to start reading our Bibles with spiritual eyes. Knowing the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Pharisees know how to read a cookbook. But they have a veil over their eyes and don’t know how to read a bible.



Please consider the spiritual nature of the Kingdom:

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) (KJV 1900)

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12) (KJV 1900)

“Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28) (KJV 1900)

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Corinthians 15:50)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) (KJV 1900)

“Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36) (KJV 1900)

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:” (Luke 17:20) (KJV 1900)

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21) (KJV 1900)

“But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you.” (Luke 11:20)

“The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” Luke 16:16 (KJV 1900)

“because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

“Now when the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus performed, they began to say to one another, “This is certainly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Then Jesus, because he knew they were going to come and seize him by force to make him king, withdrew again up the mountainside alone.” (John 6:14–15)

“He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves,” (Colossians 1:13)

“When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer.” (Mark 12:34) (HCSB)

“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) (HCSB)

“I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 1:9 (NASB95)

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” Acts 8:12 (KJV 1900)

“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:12 (KJV 1900)

“And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.” Acts 19:8 (KJV 1900)

“And when thy days [David] be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.” 2 Samuel 7:12–13 (KJV 1900)

 

[Brad Huber]

The word of God testifies of both the earthly and the heavenly, often in the same sentence, when referencing just one thing. Remember... on earth as it is in Heaven. And... I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 

[Hekuran]

I find the concept of a spiritual kingdom confusing. What does a physical kingdom have authority over that a spiritual kingdom does not?

What are the limits of a spiritual kingdom? Does it include physical things?

 

[Dave L]

I find the concept of a spiritual kingdom confusing. What does a physical kingdom have authority over that a spiritual kingdom does not?

What are the limits of a spiritual kingdom? Does it include physical things?

What is behind all you see happening today? It is the spiritual kingdom where Jesus rules the nations with a rod of iron, seated on David's throne in heavenly Jerusalem above. Your eyes can only take you so far. Scripture takes you the rest of the way. That is, you can see the effects of the kingdom but you can see the kingdom in scripture causing the effects.

 

[Dave L]

The word of God testifies of both the earthly and the heavenly, often in the same sentence, when referencing just one thing. Remember... on earth as it is in Heaven. And... I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

People expect Jesus to rule from the earth in a physical kingdom. They always did. But he says his kingdom is not of this world. He presently reigns over heaven and earth on David's Throne in heavenly Jerusalem above according to Peter's preaching in Acts 2 at Pentecost.

 

[Brad Huber]

People expect Jesus to rule from the earth in a physical kingdom. They always did. But he says his kingdom is not of this world. He presently reigns over heaven and earth on David's Throne in heavenly Jerusalem above according to Peter's preaching in Acts 2 at Pentecost.

And the first century apostles and believers believed Jesus's return would happen before the last of the apostles died in the flesh. Indeed expectations often dont live up to what really happens. The jews could testify to this concerning Jesus, they knew the OT better than anyone else, yet most of them were deceived about the messiah, wanting an earthly kingdom at that time. When Jesus didnt provide it, they crucified Him. You could be right, it could be the 1000 year reign of Christ has already happened and we are in a new age of gentiles and not the church age. Or you could be wrong and Jesus will be reigning in a physical millennium soon to come. The one truth in the matter is that NO ONE knows the date and time.... and yet, we are told to look for the signs. So ignore dividing the word of God (in this matter) to prove when He comes back, and look simply to the signs fortold.

 

[Brad Huber]

I find the concept of a spiritual kingdom confusing. What does a physical kingdom have authority over that a spiritual kingdom does not?

What are the limits of a spiritual kingdom? Does it include physical things?

You are using human logic and science to quantify your expectations. For you human science geeks, consider the star wars movies, and the force. Sadly, most humans could believe this possible, because they saw it in a movie, but their imagination and faith does not extend to the world of the kingdom of God.

 

[Hekuran]

You are using human logic and science to quantify your expectations. For you human science geeks, consider the star wars movies, and the force. Sadly, most humans could believe this possible, because they saw it in a movie, but their imagination and faith does not extend to the world of the kingdom of God.

I'm not sure you've grasped what I was trying to say. The bible doesn't divide God's reign into a spiritual and physical kingdom. I don't see how the division helps. Jesus is king and Lord of all.

 

[Dave L]

And the first century apostles and believers believed Jesus's return would happen before the last of the apostles died in the flesh. Indeed expectations often dont live up to what really happens. The jews could testify to this concerning Jesus, they knew the OT better than anyone else, yet most of them were deceived about the messiah, wanting an earthly kingdom at that time. When Jesus didnt provide it, they crucified Him. You could be right, it could be the 1000 year reign of Christ has already happened and we are in a new age of gentiles and not the church age. Or you could be wrong and Jesus will be reigning in a physical millennium soon to come. The one truth in the matter is that NO ONE knows the date and time.... and yet, we are told to look for the signs. So ignore dividing the word of God (in this matter) to prove when He comes back, and look simply to the signs fortold.

They were unlearned starting out. But at Pentecost Peter preached Amillennialism. The full gospel of the kingdom including both present reign of Christ on David's throne in Heaven. And the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for sin.

 

[Brad Huber]

I'm not sure you've grasped what I was trying to say. The bible doesn't divide God's reign into a spiritual and physical kingdom. I don't see how the division helps. Jesus is king and Lord of all.

There is no division. Their are simply different aspects of the kingdom. An earthly kingdom may have several lands with different cultures residing in different far away cities, but they all fall under the same king and kingdom. But many never see what its like in the other culture, and how its different. They only know what is around them, and what stories and rumors they hear of the other. Was someone here saying there was separate kingdoms, under different rule?

 

[Hekuran]

There is no division. Their are simply different aspects of the kingdom. An earthly kingdom may have several lands with different cultures residing in different far away cities, but they all fall under the same king and kingdom. But many never see what its like in the other culture, and how its different. They only know what is around them, and what stories and rumors they hear of the other. Was someone here saying there was separate kingdoms, under different rule?

Agree with you absolutely. The opening post has an either/or approach to spiritual and physical kingdom. I'm saying there's one King, Jesus, and his kingdom is over everything - all worldly and spiritual powers

 

[Brad Huber]

Agree with you absolutely. The opening post has an either/or approach to spiritual and physical kingdom. I'm saying there's one King, Jesus, and his kingdom is over everything - all worldly and spiritual powers

Ahh, sorry, misunderstood you in this. My eyes are weak, and I will often pick up posting far along in a discussion, because of my eyes, long or lots of posts are a bit too much for my eyes, get blurry and all. I knew someone on another forum, who thought everything in scripture was all spiritual, and that none of it actually happened. He was someone that feared the evil that men do, and so could not wrap his mind around a God that would destroy the world by water, and nuke sodom and gamorah, and other things found in the OT. He would look for the spiritual msgs in scripture, which I admitted that a LOT of scripture had both a literal and spiritual, but most of it was at least literal. I decided eventually that he was better off believing what he did, then set him against Jesus, and that Jesus could tell him when his heart was ready. I was thinking this might be about someone thinking the same thing.