-THE CHURCH - THE KINGDOM

-As mentioned already, the O.T. pointed forward with prophecies regarding the coming of the Messiah

  and the establishment of a kingdom.

-Is 9: 6-7

-Dan 7: 13-14

-Daniel 2: 36-44

-Kingdom of gold - Babylonian empire  - vs 38

-Second kingdom - Medes and Persians

-They combined forces and overthrew the Babylonians in 539 B.C.

-Dan 5:31, 6:1, 28

-Third kingdom - The Greek empire

-Alexander the Great began his conquest of the Medes and Persians in 334 B.C.

     -The Mede, Persian and Greek kingdoms are also mentioned in Dan 8: 20-21

-Fourth kingdom - The Roman Empire

-Of course it was during the Roman Empire that God sent Jesus.

-John 1: 1-4, 14

-According to the prophecy, during this empire the kingdom would be established.

-For the most part, the Jews were expecting the Messiah to come and set up an earthly kingdom.  They

  were expecting Jesus to set up an earthly throne, most likely at Jerusalem, exalt the Jews and rule on

  Earth.

-Unfortunately, there are many today who still think the same thing.

-They think Jesus is going to return to set up an earthly kingdom.

-We can see that the scriptures plainly indicate that the church is the prophesied kingdom.

-Matt 4:17, Mark 1: 14-15 - Jesus preached that the kingdom was at hand.

-Matt 10:7 - Jesus sent the apostles with the same message.

-Mark 9:1 - People living at the time of Christ would see the kingdom in their lifetimes.

-John 18:36 - Jesus was establishing a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly one.

-In the epistles, we find the kingdom being spoken of as in existence.

-Col 1:13

-I Thess 2:12  (II Thess 2:14)

-Rev 1:9

-Matt 16: 18-19

-We see that the apostles were given authority in the kingdom.

-What is being spoken of in the context? - "¼and upon this rock I will build my church¼"

-The church is the kingdom.

-Luke 24:44