The Timing of God’s Kingdom
THE KINGDOM.—WHEN IS IT SET UP? AND WHERE? A BROTHER writes from Allegan, Mich., "I would like to have you give the Bible text which tells where the kingdom of God is set up, at what point of time, and also the text which shows that the saints will go to heaven. These points are disputed in this place." There is no one scripture which shows us absolutely at what point of time the kingdom is set up; for no prophetic period extends beyond 1844; and since that time we have been in a waiting, watching and expectant position. No events take place after that point, which can be calculated with the preciseness of prophetic reckoning. There is no difficulty, however, in determining relatively when the kingdom is set up, or when Christ receives it; which is the same thing. In a certain place our Saviour relates a parable touching this very subject of the kingdom. He gives it because certain of the Jews, having become very much elated with what they had witnessed of his ministry, thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. To correct their apprehensions, he tells them of the nobleman who went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. Luke xix, 12. &c. No Adventist can doubt the application of this parable to Christ; that the nobleman represents himself; that his going away was his ascension to heaven, and his return will be his coming again in the clouds, as he went up. But let it be noted that it is while he is gone that he receives his kingdom. For, HAVING RECEIVED THE KINGDOM, the nobleman returned. Verse 15. We understand, then, that the kingdom is set up previous to the second advent of the Saviour; for when he comes, he comes in (en), not to his kingdom. Luke xxiii, 42. When he comes he has on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords. Rev. xix, 17. When he comes it is on his return from the wedding; and we trust that every one who has read the articles in the REVIEW on the subject of the marriage of the Lamb, is satisfied that that event is the reception of his throne, and the setting up of his kingdom. "Be like unto men," says the Saviour, "who wait for their lord when he will return from the wedding." Luke xii. 36. Ask of me, says the Father to the Son, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Ps. ii. 8. He dashes them in pieces like a potter's vessel. This he does when he comes, as King of kings, the title which he then bears; and as there is no such thing as a king without a kingdom, the kingdom must have been set up previous to his leaving the courts of heaven; and this is his act of gathering out of his kingdom, all things that offend, and them which do iniquity. Matt. xiii. 41. To refuse to date the commencement of his reign from his ascension of his throne, would be to doubt his ability to conquer his foes and establish his kingdom. But he takes his throne before the second advent; the setting up of the kingdom therefore is an act which takes place prior to that event. That the earth will be the final and everlasting location of the kingdom the Bible fully proves; but that it will not be located here till after the 1000 years of Rev. xx, we think equally evident. And now if any should be disposed to claim that, if the kingdom is not located on the earth till the end of the 1000 years, it is not set up till that time; or, in other words, that the kingdom cannot be said to be set up till its full and final establishment, we find an illustration on the point, in our own government. The Declaration of the Independence of these United States was declared July 4th, 1776. A seven years' revolutionary war had to ensue, however, before our government was fully established. A definitive treaty of peace was signed with Great Britain. Sept. 3d, 1783. Now the question is: When was our government set up, and when did our national existence commence? July 4th, 1776? or Sept. 3d, 1783? If at the former time, then the people of this nation are right in celebrating July 4th in honor of that event. If the latter, they should celebrate Sept. 3d. The setting up of a kingdom, then, and its full establishment, are distinct events. So with the kingdom of Christ. Its being set up, and its final establishment on the earth, are two things. It is set up when he takes his own throne, before he comes the second time. He comes to gather his loyal subjects; and when he has taken them to himself, he has all the subjects around him that he will have, probably, when the kingdom shall be located on the earth. He has also the metropolis of his kingdom, the New Jerusalem, which must of course include some territory; and he himself is called king. And what feature is now wanting in this picture, to constitute a kingdom? We come now to the second division of the question: Will the saints go to heaven? This is involved in the question, What will the King, having taken the kingdom, do with the subjects? We have quoted a text which shows that the living wicked will be dashed in pieces like a potter's vessel. The saints will be gathered together. Matt. xxiv. 31. They will be taken up from the earth into the air. 1 Thess. iv, 17. Now will they after remaining awhile in the air, be let down somewhere, as Elijah—wasn't! or will they be received up into heaven? Hear the Lord's own answer. John xiv, 2. 3. "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." What need we plainer than this? If there is no promise here that the saints will be received up to heaven—to the "Father's house where the many mansions be," but simply a declaration that he will return again to be with his people, it should read as follows: I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again unto you, that where you are, there I may be also. The reverse of this is expressed. See also the Saviour's promise to Peter. Chap. xiii, 36. We believe, secondly, that the saints will at some time be in heaven; because John saw them there. Rev. vii. 9. "After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, with white robes, and palms in their hands." Where was this? In heaven. Rev. iv, 1, 2. Again: Rev. xv. 2. "And I saw, as it were, a sea of glass mingled with fire, and them that had gotten the victory over the beast and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." Where was this sea of glass on which they stood? Before the throne in heaven. Rev. vi. 9. "And before the throne there was a sea of glass, like unto crystal." How came those victors over the beast on the sea of glass, and that innumerable company before the throne in heaven? Did heaven come down, or they go up?