The Everlasting Kingdom of Glory
By Mrs. H. W. Cottrell
1. What do the prophecies say will be the final culmination of all earthly kingdoms? “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, BUT IT SHALL BREAK IN PIECES AND CONSUME ALL THESE KINGDOMS, and it shall stand forever.” Dan. 2:44. “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR LORD, AND OF HIS CHRIST; and He shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15. 2. When Christ sets up His kingdom, who will be His subjects? “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.” Dan. 7:27. 3. What does the prophet call this kingdom? “Whose kingdom is an EVERLASTING KINGDOM.” Last part of verse 27. 4. Did Christ set up His everlasting kingdom at His first advent? It is evident He did not, for He taught His disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come;” He was Himself poorer than the foxes or the birds, with “not where to lay His head.” He traveled from the manger to the cross, “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Instead of being crowned King of Kings, He was crowned with thorns. 5. Is man in his present condition a fit subject for this kingdom? “Now this I say, brethren, that FLESH AND BLOOD CAN NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” 1 Cor. 15:50. NOTE.— Corruptible (flesh and blood) subjects can not inherit an incorruptible (everlasting) kingdom. 6. To whom only is it promised? “Harken, my beloved brethren, HATH NOT GOD CHOSEN THE POOR OF THIS WORLD RICH IN FAITH, AND HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM WHICH HE HATH PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM?” James 2:5. 7. When will Christ establish His kingdom and verify His promise? “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, WHO SHALL JUDGE THE QUICK AND THE DEAD AT HIS APPEARING AND HIS KINGDOM.” 2 Tim. 4:1. NOTE.— The kingdom will be set up when Christ comes to judge the quick (living) and the dead. 8. Read His own description of that eventful occasion. “WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL COME IN HIS GLORY, AND ALL THE HOLY ANGELS WITH HIM, THEN shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations; and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. . . . THEN SHALL THE KING SAY UNTO THEM ON HIS RIGHT HAND, COME, YE BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:31-34. 9. Will that kingdom be in heaven, or on earth? “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High.” Dan. 7:27. 10. What will be the metropolis of the kingdom? “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. AND I JOHN SAW THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, COMING DOWN FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. AND I HEARD A GREAT VOICE OUT OF HEAVEN SAYING, BEHOLD, THE TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN, AND HE WILL DWELL WITH THEM, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Rev. 21:1-3. 11. What did the patriarch Abraham look for? “By faith he [Abraham] sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, . . . FOR HE LOOKED FOR A CITY WHICH HATH FOUNDATIONS, WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD.” Heb. 11:9, 10. 12. Does the city John describes have foundations? “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations.” Rev. 21:14. 13. What will be the character of the subjects of this city? “BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14. “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Rev. 21:27.