Not Of This World

Introduction

Good morning. If you will, open in your Bibles with me to John chapter 18. In John chapter 18, we learn about Jesus’ kingdom, the kingdom that belongs to Jesus, the Son of God. It’s a powerful blessing to be part of the kingdom of God. Amen. That’s an important point, though, and one that’s ironically as powerful of a blessing it is, as ironically as powerful of a biblical truth that it is, that Jesus is king, that he is reigning, we still have missed the point. The very point that the Jews of Jesus’ day that were both foe and ally of Jesus missed. In John chapter 18, as Jesus is before Pilate, as I hook in my computer here, as Jesus is before Pilate in verse 33, it says that Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, Are you the king of the Jews?

Jesus answered, Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priest have delivered you over to me. What have you done? And Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. Then Pilate said to him, So you are a king. Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.

Powerful scripture. And in verse 36, in this response, this consideration of is Jesus King of the Jews? Is he being tried for reasons that are true, reasons that are blasphemous, reasons that would warrant crucifixion? He asked Jesus, Are you King of the Jews? In verse 36, see this with me again, because this is so crucial, so important to us. My kingdom is not of this world. And then in verse 37, in response to Pilate saying, So you are a king. Not only does Jesus affirm that, saying, You say that I am a king, but why did he come? For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. What truth? That Jesus is king, that there is a great kingdom, and that we need to know our God.

That we need to be taken from Satan’s hold, from the hold of sin, and transferred into the Son’s kingdom, that in the final day will be delivered over to the Father. Jesus had a kingdom that was not of this world. The problem is, if you turn your Bibles with me to Revelation chapter 20, many take a passage in Revelation chapter 20 and say, That’s not at all what Jesus’ kingdom was like. As you turn to Revelation chapter 20, think of the contemporaries of Jesus. And you think of how the disciples time and again were frustrated, concerned with, and even disagreeing with Jesus when he would say, I am going to be crucified. And who was it? Not only just Peter, but all the disciples who would say, Far be it from you, Lord.

Because they didn’t understand that their kingdom that Jesus was coming to establish was not physical. It was not to reign from Jerusalem and make Israel a political superpower once again. It was a spiritual kingdom that Jesus was after. But in Revelation chapter 20, we read about a great kingdom. In verse 20, beginning in verse 1, then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he sees the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, shut it, and sealed it over him so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were ended.

After that he must be released for a little while. Then I saw thrones and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshipped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their forehead or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

And here in Revelation chapter 20, we have an interesting picture of a thousand year reign. Perhaps that’s what has to do with the word on the screen behind me, millennialism. There’s a very common religious theory out there, theological theory, that goes a little bit like this. There’s all kinds of wrinkles, all kinds of bells and whistles, depending on who is teaching it to you and what their background is. But this is a pretty basic idea. You have Israel and the Old Testament. If you see on the far left, you have Israel, of course, God in the Old Testament had a unique relationship with Israel. Starting from the time of Moses and the Israelites in the Exodus from Egypt, God made a special covenant relationship with his people, freeing them from Pharaoh, and then of course giving them the law of Moses.

Of course, Jesus would come and he would do his teaching. But if you note right there, it’s very important. We see that the kingdom was postponed according to the premillennial view. The idea that Jesus was going to come and establish his kingdom, that it would be established, and that the apostles could teach that Christians, that new New Testament Christians could be a part of that kingdom, that they could truly be Christians, that is part of the body of Christ, part of the kingdom that belongs to our Lord, is wrong. That the kingdom, in fact, was postponed, it was put off because the cross up there is wrong because man was too wicked for Jesus to come and establish his kingdom. So God had to make an audible.

He had to have what’s called a parenthesis period. And that is what they call the church age. And of course, when this church age is over, they say we are in some senses in the last days, some would utterly refute that because the last days are later on the chart. But as we’re in the church age, we’re awaiting the rapture of the saints, while there’s going to be seven years of blessing and paradise for those who were raptured up, and seven years of harsh tribulation, also from the book of Revelation and from Daniel prophecies that are meant to be figurative, that they’re taken literally and kind of added to at their whim. Of course, then at the end of the seven years, there will be, here’s the millennial, the 1,000 year reign of Christ.

And while Jesus is reigning, there is going to be absolute perfection, peace on earth. Jesus will be reigning from David’s throne in Jerusalem. And of course, there’s many, again, many, many splits on this all over, depending on who’s teaching. But at the end, then there is, of course, heaven and hell for those who are righteous and wicked, respectively. But consider is this the picture that Jesus wanted us to know? In John chapter 18, when Jesus is before Pilate, he says, My kingdom is not of this world. What is he saying, my kingdom is not of this world now? But two thousand something plus years in the future, I’m going to establish my throne in Jerusalem. I’m going to reign on this earth. Is that possibly what Jesus could have meant?

1. It Limits God’s Power

Consider with me this morning many problems with premillennialism. I want to point out six that provide a death blow and are critical to us to understanding what is the message of Revelation chapter 20. What is the kingdom of Jesus and how can I be a faithful part of it? I would add, first of all, that you should study on your own Revelation chapter 1 and chapter 22, when John, inspired by God, writes multiple times that these things written in the book of Revelation are shortly going to come to pass. Would that really apply to something that is yet to happen over two thousand years later? Consider with me the first major problem is it limits God’s power. This is perhaps the most offensive one. In Mark chapter 1, turn in your Bibles with me to Mark chapter 1.

I hope you have your Bibles this morning. We’re going to turn into a lot of passages. And the good news is the air conditioner is off, so there’s nothing else to listen to. In Mark chapter 1. In Mark chapter 1, beginning in verse 14. This is the very beginning of the life of Jesus, we might say. After John was arrested, as Jesus is beginning his ministry, he came into Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God in verse 15.

Repent and believe in the gospel. Jesus knew, John even knew to some extent, that the kingdom was here, the kingdom, the time of the kingdom was at hand. Consider what was God’s plan for the kingdom. Can we track when it was supposed to come before it had to be possibly aborted? Remember, the premillennialist viewpoint is that the world was too wicked for Jesus. The plan of establishing the kingdom wasn’t at the right time. Of course, that would disagree with Galatians chapter 4. But as we look in Mark chapter 9 and verse 1, consider these remarks about the kingdom. In Mark chapter 9 and verse 1. And he said to them, Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.

What did Jesus say about when the kingdom of God would come? Two important notations. First of all, when we see it right in the middle of our text, there are some standing here who will not taste death until the kingdom of God has come with power. So I ask you right up right from the forefront, which is true. Premillennial theory that the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Christ has not been established? Or Jesus in Mark 9 and verse 1, when he says, the kingdom will be established in the lifetime of some of you who are standing before me now. And of course, consider an important second notation, until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power. So the kingdom was going to come with power.

The kingdom was going to be established in the time of their lives. And in Acts chapter 1, we see that’s exactly what happened. In Acts chapter 1, turn there with me. Connect these two important passages. In Acts chapter 1, and speaking of not understanding a physical kingdom verse a spiritual kingdom, it is argued that the disciples still didn’t understand this. In Acts chapter 1 and verse 6. So when they had come together, they asked him, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.

In verse 6, Jesus is asked about the kingdom being restored to Israel. And his response is that while they won’t know the time in verse 8, they will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon them. So we know that the kingdom was going to come in the lifetime of those who were contemporaries with Jesus. Acts 1 certainly fits that mold. Of course, then we know in Mark chapter 9 and verse 1 as well, the kingdom would come with power. Jesus tells his disciples that the kingdom coming with power would come when the Holy Spirit has come upon them. Of course, if you just turn the page or perhaps in your very same opening, in Acts chapter 2, we see this wonderful, powerful, life-changing event that happened in Acts chapter 2 for all of the world.

Acts chapter 2, beginning in verse 1. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place, and suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. When was the kingdom established? In the days of those who heard the message of Jesus in Mark chapter 9. It came with power when power came with the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. And if you read the rest of Peter’s sermon, some of which we will see shortly, that Peter affirms the idea that Jesus is king, his kingdom is established shortly.

2. Christ Is Dethroned

God’s power is certainly not limited. God’s foresight is certainly not flawed, and most importantly, man could not ever, nor have they ever thwarted God’s purposes or plans. Consider with me secondly, Christ is dethroned. According to the premillennial theory, of course, if Jesus is going to come later in his one thousand year reign of Christ at some future fixed date, then he can’t currently be reigning as king. Turn in your old testament with me to Zachariah chapter six. Consider, were there prophecies of this? That is one of the premillennial arguments that the church wasn’t foreseen. The kingdom really wasn’t foreseen in the exact way in which that modern people understand the Bible to be so clear about. How would we answer then Zachariah chapter 6 and verse 12?

When it says, And say to them, thus says the Lord of hosts, behold, the man whose name is the branch, for he shall branch out from this place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the council of peace shall be between them both. Who would be on the throne? The branch. Who is the branch? Jesus, from this from the lineage of David. Jesus would sit on the throne, he would be king, and yet at the end of verse 13, note quickly with me, there shall be a priest on his throne.

Jesus is not only dethroned from his kingdom, but it makes the New Testament idea that Jesus is serving as both king and priest, nullified and void. That cannot be. Is Jesus dethroned, or is Jesus currently where he should be, on the throne, on David’s throne at the right hand of God? That is a decision. That is a piece of information that is up for grabs and crucial to understanding premillennial theory. Is Jesus on David’s throne? If not, we can account for a coming later, where he will be on David’s throne in literal Jerusalem, for a literal one thousand years. But if he is on the throne of David now, if the inspired word of God reveals that is where Jesus is located in ruling, then we know that the theory is wrong and that the kingdom is open for all.

Consider Acts chapter 2 once again. In Acts chapter 2, where is Jesus? How do we fit in these prophecies of Jesus? Well, in Acts chapter 2, beginning with me in verse 29, brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried in his tomb, is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ. Who would sit on David’s throne? Of course, it was of Jesus, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses.

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend himself into the heavens, but he himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool. Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus, whom you crucified. Jesus is on the throne. Where is Jesus now? He is in verse 34 and 35 at the right hand of God. He is reigning. He is on the throne of David. And if you doubt that for a minute, consider Ephesians chapter 1.

In Ephesians chapter 1, a description of Jesus, where he is, what he is doing, shines very clearly through Paul’s epistle. In Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 20, that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him his head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Where’s Jesus? Once again in verse 19, or excuse me, verse 20, Jesus is at the right hand of God in the heavenly places.

3. Misses the Same Point the Jews Missed

What is he doing there? What type of power does he have? If he is a king, he would be reigning. If he was a king, he would have those who are subject to him. In verse 21, Jesus is reigning far above all rule, far above all authority, far above all power, far above all dominion, and above every name that is named. Not only in this age, but also in the one to come. Jesus and God are reigning. The kingdom is open. And Jesus is the head of the body. He is the head of the church, and he is the king of his kingdom. Consider thirdly with me, third out of six, by the way, don’t get too excited. That this concept of premillennialism misses the same point the Jews missed.

So go back with me to John chapter 18 once again. In John chapter 18, we see that Pilate, not really knowing a whole lot about necessarily Jewish customs, although perhaps he knew more than he was letting on. In verse 33, when he asks Jesus, Are you the king of the Jews? And Jesus replies to him, Why is he saying this? In verse 35, Pilate says, Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done? Again, consider not only did the Pharisees and Sadducees have problems with Jesus because they viewed him as blaspheming, that he claimed to be God, that he said, I and the Father are one. They had a problem with him being king of the Jews, that he would be over them.

That this wasn’t the Messiah. This wasn’t the one who would bring Israel back to physical, temporal prominence, because they were looking for a physical king. But it wasn’t just the enemies of Jesus, as we saw perhaps even still in Acts chapter 1, but certainly throughout the Gospels, like when Peter would confront Jesus about going to be crucified, even those close to him miss this idea. The very idea that Jesus makes clear in verse 36, my kingdom is not of this world. I have to say it’s a little bit embarrassing that we make the same religious errors in philosophy and theology that were made over 2,000 years ago. Jesus was crucified at the plan of God because man rejected him because they did not want Jesus. They did not want to accept his message by and large.

And of course, we we mock the Jews and we say, how could the Jews not know? How could Peter and the disciples of all people not understand what Jesus was here to do to seek and save the lost, to instore the borders of the kingdom, to allow people to be saved? We say, how can you not know that, Peter? And of course, we judge the Pharisees harshly, as always, and we say, of course they missed it. They were hard hearted. And yet many people who call themselves Christians today believe that there is a time coming when Jesus is going to be on a literal throne in literal Jerusalem. If you don’t believe that, check out the United States historical political ally, Israel. Why do you think it is that this country has such a long history of considering what’s going on with Israel?

If you check, a lot of it has to do with the fact that biblically speaking, Israel is believed to be a place that Jesus will come back, that Jesus will reign. There are many Christians today who believe that Jesus is coming to reign in this physical life in physical Israel, on David’s physical throne in physical Jerusalem. We have to be better than that. We have to read the scriptures better than that and understand that when Jesus says, My kingdom is not of this world, he is not saying my kingdom is not of this world now, but that his kingdom is not of this world forever, because right now, where is he? Acts chapter 2, Ephesians chapter 1, he is at the right hand of God. He is absolutely on the throne of David, and he sits there now.

4. The Church Is Made a Substitute

Jesus is our king. He is now because he is a spiritual kingdom that was always the plan of God. There were no audibles. There was no thwarting of God’s plan by man. God’s will is always done. And certainly it was, is, and forever will be with Jesus as our king. Consider another part of this that goes without saying that if the kingdom was not established at the time of Jesus, because the world was too wicked for him, what are we going to do until we get to the thousand year reign of Christ? And of course, common the uh common terminology is that the church is a parenthesis period. Essentially, the church is made a substitute. The church was not God’s full plan, because God’s full plan was for Jesus to come when he did and to establish his kingdom, but the world wasn’t ready.

Is that what Paul says in Ephesians chapter three? Consider very simply, is the church part of God’s plan, or was it an audible? In Ephesians chapter 3, consider with me what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 3, beginning in verse 8. He says, To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

So I ask you not to lose overheart heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. In verse 10, the church, the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities. And in verse 11, what was the plan of God? How long has it been the very plan of God? This was according to the eternal purpose. It has always been and always will have been God’s plan. The church was not an audible. Man did not force God’s hand into a backup plan. The church was always God’s plan. If you don’t believe that, Jesus knew that in his lifetime. In Matthew chapter 16, know what he told Peter. In Matthew chapter 16, if Jesus was going to know that the church was a parenthesis, he didn’t know it here.

In Matthew chapter 16. In Matthew chapter 16, after asking, who do people say that I am in verse 13? Some suggested John the Baptist, some suggested Elijah the prophet. But consider in verse 16, Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered him in verse 17 Blessed are you, Simon Barjonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys where? To the kingdom of heaven. And whenever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

5. New Testament Authors Would Have Been Confused

Jesus knew that the kingdom would be established, that the church would be established because the church was not a substitute, it was always part of the eternal plan of God. And if I can make a quick side note on that, how important is it then that we submit to our King, that we submit to Jesus, who Ephesians chapter 1 makes clear is the head of the church. How important is it that we keep the church a holy place, committed to the spiritual purpose that God gave it in its role in conveying the idea of the spiritual kingdom of our Lord. Critical. Crucial. Consider with me a second of our final points. New Testament authors would have been confused if premillennialism is true. Consider in Colossians chapter 1, I think this is perhaps one of the quickest ways to show this theory to be lacking, if not entirely disproven.

Of course, anything has nuance, anything can be talked around. But in Colossians chapter 1, Paul had a very important idea that is conveyed. In Colossians chapter 1, I hope you’ll see this with me. I don’t know how many have been turning to every passage, but please turn to this one. Consider, is the kingdom established, or is it not? That seems to be part of the basis for understanding premillennialism that the rapture will be before the thousand year reigns of reign of Christ, or is Jesus reigning as king now? Well, in Colossians chapter 1 and verse 13, Paul says something very interesting. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us where? To the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin.

We know that we have redemption only possible through Jesus, through his sacrifice, that we can have forgiveness of sin. But note where we are transferred, from the domain of darkness in verse 13, we now, as Paul’s writing to the Colossians, He’s transferred us from the domain of darkness and transferred us where? To the kingdom of Jesus. They were actively being placed in the active kingdom of Jesus the Christ, just as God had always planned. This is a powerful verse. This is a powerful blessing to have Jesus as our king, to recognize Jesus is the head over all things, the body and the church, that we can have redemption, that we can have forgiveness of sins. And if we reject Jesus as coming later, we reject Paul’s clear teaching, and we don’t have the hope.

What is the hope? What is the power of being transferred into the kingdom of Jesus? That we have redemption, that we have the forgiveness of sins. This theory blows up what God has done for us. We must stick with biblical truth. Paul was not confused. Neither was John in Revelation chapter 1. Turn there with me in Revelation chapter 1. Revelation chapter 1, I mentioned before how John made note in John chapter 1 and in chapter 22 about how these things must shortly come to pass. Read with me in verse 3 to see at least one of those. Beginning in Revelation chapter 1 and verse 3. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

John to the seven churches that are in Asia, grace to you and peace from him who is and who was, who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth, to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom. Priest to his God and Father. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. This is a powerful passage. Jesus has made us a kingdom and priest to our God. And in Revelation chapter 5, again, this idea is underscored. In Revelation chapter 5 and verse 9, they sang a new song saying, Worthy are you to take the scrolls and open it, seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people of God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priest to God, and they shall reign on the earth.

6. Changes the Entire Purpose of Christ’s Death

John was not confused in his inspiration from Scripture. Paul was not confused in his inspiration from Scripture. We absolutely can have forgiveness of sins through Jesus now, because the kingdom is open now, because Jesus, our King, reigns on the throne at the right hand of God right this moment. And he has, ever since the opening of the kingdom. Consider one final point with me, and perhaps the most egregious of all, although any of these are enough to really take down this idea of premillennialism and a future kingdom establishment. The idea of premillennialism changes the entire purpose of Christ’s death. Did Jesus come when he did in the first century, in the fullness of time, as Galatians chapter 4 makes clear? Did Jesus come in the fullness of time at God’s behest, at God’s plan, and be crucified for our sins at that moment at that time?

Or was that part of the audible that was called by God? It can’t be both. It must be one. Isaiah chapter 53, we know the prophecy well. But this prophecy was written over seven hundred years, at least over six hundred and fifty before Jesus would have ever even taken a breath. Isaiah chapter 53, beginning in verse 3, he was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray. We have turned every one to his own way. And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shears is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth, yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him.

He has put him to grief. When his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied. By his knowledge shall the righteous one my servant make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. Why did Jesus come? He came to be our sacrifice. When he said of the Old Testament, and you see what was required of sin, it was the blood of bulls and goats. Jesus always had to come. Because the Hebrew writer makes it clear in chapter 10 and verse four, it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Jesus was always going to have to come if we wanted to be forgiven of our sin and have eternal life. That is why Paul could write in Colossians chapter 1 with confidence and by the hand of the inspiration of God in Colossians chapter 1 and verse 13 and 14 that we have been transferred, Christians had been taken from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Our redemption, our forgiveness of sins, is only because Jesus, at the plan of God, came and died in my place. We must always remember the purpose of Christ’s death was that I might live. It’s a powerful scriptural idea that God loves us.

And to change that is despicable, and it shows a lack of Bible knowledge on even the most basic of elements within study. That Jesus died at the plan of God for our sins. If that’s not clear, consider the last passage this morning in Acts chapter 2. Is there any room for discussion? Is there any idea that maybe God’s plan was going to be aborted? That God’s plan would be changed, that God’s plan would be substituted. In Acts chapter 2, Peter refutes that and puts the nail in that coffin once and for all. In Acts chapter 2 and verse 22, he says, Men of Israel, hear these words, on this great day that the kingdom was established. Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.

This Jesus, see this in verse 23. This Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised them up, loosing the pangs of death because it was not possible for him to be held by it. In verse 23, Jesus was delivered up according to the definite plan and according to the foreknowledge of God. And it was that plan that was not aborted or changed. But God knew that he would be crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. They were guilty of the body and blood of Jesus the Christ. And so in verse 36, when Peter concludes this lesson, that the kingdom is open, that Jesus is reigning, it stands strong when he says, Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has what?

Made him, both Lord and Christ. This Jesus, whom you crucified. God made him. It was always God’s plan. Jesus was delivered up to according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of our God. Jesus is both Lord and Christ, and he was crucified. And so it left them scrambling in verse 37. When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, brothers, what shall we do? And Peter says, repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Where is their redemption? Where is their forgiveness of sins? Paul said, there is redemption in Jesus. There’s forgiveness of sins in Jesus.

Conclusion

For those who have been transferred from the domain of darkness into the active living kingdom of his active living Son, Jesus the Christ, who is our King and forever will be as we worship our God. Consider with me this morning that premillennialism has many flaws, many problems. And while we want to understand what Revelation has to say, we have to take it to mean what John wrote it to mean, including that these events were shortly going to take place, as is mentioned in chapter 1 and in chapter 22. Not once, not twice, not three times, but four times in those two chapters. Consider that while Jesus did come at the hand of God, Jesus did submit to the plan of God. That doesn’t just mean that we need to study the Bible and be thankful.

It means that we owe our everything to God. Just like those in verse 37 who had found themselves guilty of crucifying the cross, the Christ. Consider with me, every time I sin, I need Jesus. I need my king. I need my priest and king. I need Jesus, our loving King. Will you go to God and prayer with me? Our dear God and most gracious and loving Heavenly Father, we thank you for this wonderful day that you’ve blessed us with, and we’re so thankful for all the physical blessings that you have spoiled us with, in particular in this nation. We pray that we never grow arrogant or lack in giving thanks to you, but that we will commit ourselves to recognizing good things come from you and to those that have more as expected.

But we most of all thank you this morning for sending Jesus at your plan, at your foreknowledge to die on the cross for our sins, knowing that he would be the sacrifice, that he would be bruised, that we’d be chastised, that we might have peace, that we might be released from the guilt of sin. We pray that we always submit to Him as our King. We submit to you as our God, the one true and living God. We pray that we read your word and that we properly understand it, that we rightly divide your words of truth. Forgive us of when we do wrong, forgive us of when we don’t submit to our King. Help us to always be pleasing in your side. Be with us this morning as we go to our Bible classes and study your word.

Help us to be faithful and to do exactly as you would have us to do. Help us as we worship at the 1055 hour, to partake of the Lord’s Supper, remembering Jesus’ death and burial, remembering his body and blood, and ultimately remembering his resurrection, that because he lives, we might live also. Thank you for his kingdom, and in the last day let us all be found there in whom we can have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. We pray all this in Jesus the Christ’s name. Amen. We’re now dismissed to our Bible classes.