THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST by W. N. Glenn

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 9, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 15.

THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST.

By W. N. Glenn

BY W. N. GLENN.

THE character of the kingdom of Christ is fully set forth in the sermon on the mount. That was an ordination sermon, setting forth to his disciples in particular, and incidentally to the multitude in general, the principles which he desired to have inculcated in the world. Mark says (chap. 3:14, 15) that “he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils.” They were to be with him in order to be fitted for proclaiming the principles of his kingdom. In Luke 8:1 we read that “he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with him.” Further on, in the ninth chapter, it is stated that “he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Verse 2. “And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel, and healing everywhere.” Verse 6. The great commission of Matt. 28:19, 20 is a command to the apostles and their colaborers to teach all nations “to observe all things whatsoever” he had commanded them, “even unto the end of the world.”

That the kingdom which Christ and his apostles preached is a spiritual kingdom, is clearly shown all through the detailed instructions of the famous sermon to which we have alluded. That the interests of this kingdom were to be advocated and its principles taught contemporaneously with the existence of a government of a different character, is also clearly shown here, as elsewhere. For instance: “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Matt. 5:25. Again he says, “If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.” Verse 40.

Now we note this general principle: “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” It is clear that this principle could be carried out as a government policy only where every individual had the Spirit of Christ. And in such a government there would be no adversary, no suing at the law, and no prison. Such instruction could not apply to any temporal or civil government, for the reason that such a system was ordained only because of sin and the consequent necessity of restraining the vicious conduct of sinful beings.

The thought herein suggested may be elaborated at will by the reader who has sufficient interest in the subject to carry the study on throughout the Lord’s great expository discourse as recorded in Matthew, chapters 5-7. We might add that the thought is emphatically expressed in the very first utterance of this discourse: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Chap. 5:3. Also verse 10: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

A further evidence that the kingdom which the Lord is developing during the probationary period is a spiritual kingdom, running side by side with the temporary civil governments of earth, is found in such expressions as these: “The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you” (Luke 10:9); “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation” (chap. 17:20); “The kingdom of God is within you” (verse 21); “It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (chap. 18:25); “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), etc.

That this kingdom, the principles of which are now operating in the hearts of those who willingly accept Christ, who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” will in his good time become a glorious visible kingdom, and fill the whole (new) earth, is also fully set forth in the Scriptures of truth. But before that time all earthly kingdoms will have been destroyed by the glorious appearing of the Lord in glory. This is shown by the great image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, which was broken in pieces by the stone cut out without hands, which filled the whole earth.

It is shown in the second epistle of Peter, who, after foretelling the melting of this earth by fire, and the destruction of everything in it, gives this assurance: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens

and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Chap. 3:13. It is also shown in the prophetic view of the apostle John (Rev. 11:15): “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.” David tells us in the prophecy of the second psalm what the Lord will do with these kingdoms: “I will declare the decree; the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Verses 7-9.