When did the New Covenant and the Kingdom of God begin?

[dwight92070]

"Your kingdom come (in 3 1/2 years?), Your will be done."
"But seek first His kingdom (in 3 1/2 years?) and His righteousness."
"The kingdom of heaven is at hand (in 3 1/2 years?)."
"But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (It was there - right then, NOT 3 1/2 years later)" Matthew 12:28
"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom (which won't arrive for another 3 1/2 years) and does not understand it ..."
Jesus gave many parables about the kingdom of God: the sower, the tares among the wheat, the mustard seed, the leaven, the hidden treasure a pearl of great value, a dragnet. But, according to some, none of these were even relevant until 3 1/2 years later, when Jesus died.
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom (in 3 1/2 years?)"
"The time is fulfilled (NOT 3 1/2 years later), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
"Behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." They didn't have to wait 3 1/2 years for it to begin. Luke 17:21


Jesus seems to show that the kingdom of God was and is THE RULE OF GOD IN PEOPLE'S HEARTS. He was and is the KING and from the moment of His birth - and even before- many people allowed God to rule in their hearts. They were the kingdom of God. But at the start of the New Testament, the KING of that kingdom now appears in the flesh, calling all men to enter into that kingdom, that they might have eternal life. What was NEW about this covenant was primarily JESUS HIMSELF. One could say that the kingdom of God had a future consummation at His death, but the "marriage" had already occurred.
God said that JESUS HIMSELF WAS THE NEW COVENANT.
Isaiah 42:6 " ... And I will appoint You as a COVENANT to the people, as a light to the nations. John the Baptist told Israel that He was coming and prepared the people for His appearance. But long before that, the wise men asked, "Where is He who has been born the King of the Jews?" Jesus was changing lives before He even appeared on earth. Look at John the Baptist's parents, Joseph, and Mary, and after His birth, the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna. He was and IS THE NEW COVENANT.

 

[dwight92070]

Correction - the wise men came after Jesus' birth.

 

[praise_yeshua]

The phrase "King of Kings" came from the Persian Empire. The desire of the Persians to rule all of this world.

The Kingdom of God is not of this world.

Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

 

[Behold]

The KOG began As God..........so, its always been.

The New Covenant is Jesus on The Cross.........so, that's when it began.

 

[dwight92070]

Not according to Mat.12:28, Mark 1:15, Luke 17:21, and Isaiah 42:6. Jesus was born as a covenant, the New Covenant. He was also born as the King of the Kingdom of God.

The word "covenant" is used 20 times in Hebrews. It's the Greek word "diatheke". In only 2 of those times, Hebrews 9:16-17, it has been translated "will", which is another translation, but it's highly unlikely that the author intended to indicate a will here as opposed to a covenant, because it takes it out of the context. Verse 15, for example, is speaking of Jesus being the "mediator of a new covenant" and that His death took place "for the redemption of the transgressions, that were under the first covenant" So the context is speaking of the old and the new covenant, so why would the author suddenly shift meanings in verses 16-17 to make it sound like a will, when all along he has been speaking of a covenant?
I believe the NASB correctly translates the word in 16-17 as "covenant", not a "will".

So the death of Jesus' ratified the New Covenant, but I don't see that it necessitates that the New Covenant had to begin at that same time - as opposed to it starting at the beginning of the New Testament, which Scripture indicates several times. Whoever put our Bible together must have been led by God to put the New Covenant at the beginning of the New Testament for a reason. Because that's when it begins. Not at the tail end of the Old Testament, because the life of Jesus was New Covenant, not old. He was born under the Old Covenant, because His parents kept that covenant, but He did not. He was introducing the New Covenant to Israel. He did not keep the Sabbath, He advised others at times to make sacrifices in the temple according to the Law of Moses, but He never made one sacrifice there Himself. Why would He? He Himself was the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind, so why would He dishonor His Father and Himself by offering an animal sacrifice in the temple? To even suggest that He did that is a slap in the face of the Son of God.

It is true that the Kingdom of God is not of this world, but according to Jesus, neither are we, even though we are in this world:

John 17:16 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." We are part of the Kingdom of God, yet we live here on earth, just like Jesus lived on this earth and, at the same time, He was the King of the kingdom of God.

That fact alone assures us that the kingdom of God was present during His lifetime.

The New Covenant and the Kingdom of God appeared on earth at the same time. Mark 1:1 nailed it when he said: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

 

[Behold]

Jesus was born as a covenant, the New Covenant.

Listen.

The New Covenant, is a BLOOD Covenant... .so, until Jesus shed His blood as the NEW Covenant, it was not "in effect".

Jesus explained this to you, when He was explaining his body and blood to the Apostles during the "Last Supper". (Communion).

See, until Jesus's body and blood was Literally OFFERED.......the New Covenant was not yet "in effect".

 

[dwight92070]

Your bold and enlarged, colored letters seem to indicate anger. Just because someone disagrees with you does not mean that you need to display anger.

So how was it possible for those under the Law to have their sins forgiven, since Jesus had not yet literally offered His blood and His body? Isn't there a record in the gospels of Jesus forgiving people of their sins, even though He had not died yet? He told the man on the stretcher: "Your sins are forgiven." He told the woman who wiped His feet with her hair: "Your sins are forgiven. He told Zaccheus: "Today salvation has come to this house." Did that not include forgiveness of sins? David said in Psalm 32:1 "How blessed is the man who sins have been forgiven", also quoted in Romans 4:7-8.

How was it possible that every disciple of Jesus during His lifetime could have their sins forgiven, even though Jesus had not yet been crucified?

In fact, isn't one of the provisions of the New Covenant to have our sins forgiven? - Jeremiah 31:34

Do you not see that what Jesus did on the cross - forgiving our sins - was retroactive all the way back to Adam and Eve? What about the OTHER parts of the New Covenant? Were they also retroactive? I believe they were, but ONLY back to the point that the scripture allows, which was the beginning of the New Testament.

"The Law and the Prophets (were proclaimed) until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached." Luke 16:16
"For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John." Matthew 11:13
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Mark 1:1
"For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ." John 1:17

So the preaching of the Law came to an end just before John appeared on the scene. (At least the preaching that God sanctioned. God wanted the gospel of Jesus to be preached at this time - not the Law. John started that process by proclaiming One who was greater than him.) Then grace and truth came with the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ - i.e. the New Covenant.

So what new or different thing occurred when John appeared on the scene? The New Covenant. The preaching of the Kingdom of God with Jesus as the KING. The gospel of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 26:28 "for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."

Jesus DID NOT say that forgiveness could not happen before His death. He in fact forgave sins BEFORE His death, which was a provision of the New Covenant.

Luke 22:20 "This cup which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in My blood."

Jesus DID NOT say that the New Covenant could not begin until He died. His death ratified the New Covenant but forgiveness of sins was already happening before that.

1 Cor.11:25 " ... This cup is the New Covenant in My blood ..."

Again, Jesus DID NOT say that the New Covenant could not go into effect until His body and blood was literally offered. You are misreading those verses.

 

[dwight92070]

"For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John." Matthew 11:13

This means that when John the Baptist started his ministry, and shortly after that when Jesus began His ministry, NEITHER of them were proclaiming either what the prophets had to say OR the Law - that was NOT their message. They DID HOWEVER quote both the Law and the prophets, when those words PREDICTED what was going to happen under the New Covenant. And Jesus quoted the Law, but then said, "But I say to you ..."

So neither John or Jesus preached the Law and the prophets. Rather, they preached the gospel of Jesus Himself. So did His apostles. We know that Jesus was born under the Law, which means Joseph and Mary were obedient to the Law, and raised their kids to do the same, but Jesus, during His ministry, did not live by the Law, nor was He bound by the Law. He was Lord of the Law. Sure He kept the Passover with His disciples and He went to the Feasts in Jerusalem - not because He had to, but because He didn't want to cause the Israeli people to be offended. Also because He used those events to preach the gospel about Himself to the Jews. It was definitely a time of transition, from the Old to the New. So while He told some to "Keep the commandments", at the same time He was telling everyone to OBEY HIM - to keep HIS commandments.

 

[atpollard]

No later than …

Matthew 12:28 [NASB] "But if I cast out the demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”

Matthew 4:24 [NASB] And the news about Him spread throughout Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and severe pain, demon-possessed, people with epilepsy, and people who were paralyzed; and He healed them.
Mark 1:32 [NASB] Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they [began] bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.
Luke 4:35 [NASB] But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst [of the people,] it came out of him without doing him any harm.

 

[101G]

"For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John." Matthew 11:13

This means that when John the Baptist started his ministry, and shortly after that when Jesus began His ministry, NEITHER of them were proclaiming either what the prophets had to say OR the Law - that was NOT their message. They DID HOWEVER quote both the Law and the prophets, when those words PREDICTED what was going to happen under the New Covenant. And Jesus quoted the Law, but then said, "But I say to you ..."

So neither John or Jesus preached the Law and the prophets. Rather, they preached the gospel of Jesus Himself. So did His apostles. We know that Jesus was born under the Law, which means Joseph and Mary were obedient to the Law, and raised their kids to do the same, but Jesus, during His ministry, did not live by the Law, nor was He bound by the Law. He was Lord of the Law. Sure He kept the Passover with His disciples and He went to the Feasts in Jerusalem - not because He had to, but because He didn't want to cause the Israeli people to be offended. Also because He used those events to preach the gospel about Himself to the Jews. It was definitely a time of transition, from the Old to the New. So while He told some to "Keep the commandments", at the same time He was telling everyone to OBEY HIM - to keep HIS commandments.

Hebrews 9:16 "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator." Hebrews 9:17 "For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth."

and yes, the Lord Jesus was born under the Law, and fulfilled the Law .... meaning completing it or brought it to and end..... for hence the change in priesthood.

Hebrews 7:11 "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?" Hebrews 7:12 "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." Hebrews 7:13 "For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar." Hebrews 7:14 "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood." Hebrews 7:15 "And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest," Hebrews 7:16 "Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." Hebrews 7:17 "For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." Hebrews 7:18 "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof." Hebrews 7:19 "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." Hebrews 7:20 "And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:" Hebrews 7:21 "(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" Hebrews 7:22 "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament." Hebrews 7:23 "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:" Hebrews 7:24 "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood." Hebrews 7:25 "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:26 "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;" Hebrews 7:27 "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself." Hebrews 7:28 "For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore."

101G

 

[jeremiah1five]

"Your kingdom come (in 3 1/2 years?), Your will be done."
"But seek first His kingdom (in 3 1/2 years?) and His righteousness."
"The kingdom of heaven is at hand (in 3 1/2 years?)."
"But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (It was there - right then, NOT 3 1/2 years later)" Matthew 12:28
"When anyone hears the word of the kingdom (which won't arrive for another 3 1/2 years) and does not understand it ..."
Jesus gave many parables about the kingdom of God: the sower, the tares among the wheat, the mustard seed, the leaven, the hidden treasure a pearl of great value, a dragnet. But, according to some, none of these were even relevant until 3 1/2 years later, when Jesus died.
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom (in 3 1/2 years?)"
"The time is fulfilled (NOT 3 1/2 years later), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
"Behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." They didn't have to wait 3 1/2 years for it to begin. Luke 17:21


Jesus seems to show that the kingdom of God was and is THE RULE OF GOD IN PEOPLE'S HEARTS. He was and is the KING and from the moment of His birth - and even before- many people allowed God to rule in their hearts.

There is no "ruling in people's hearts." Not the proverbial "heart" that pumps blood. But if you define a person's "heart" as their "whole being" then the only "kingdom" that is referred to is submission and obedience to the Law of God (Moses.) God was supposed to be "King" over the people of God, but they asked Samuel to give them a king like the nations that surrounded Israel. Samuel was "pissed off" at the people but God said, "they are not rejecting you; they are rejecting me. Give the people what they asked for but let them also know what is to come with their demand for a [human] king."

1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.
2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.
3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,
5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.
9 Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.
10 And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.
11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.
12 And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.
13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.
14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.
15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.
16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.
17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.
19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.
21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.
22 And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
2 And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
1 Samuel 8:1–9:2.

They were the kingdom of God. But at the start of the New Testament, the KING of that kingdom now appears in the flesh, calling all men to enter into that kingdom, that they might have eternal life. What was NEW about this covenant was primarily JESUS HIMSELF. One could say that the kingdom of God had a future consummation at His death, but the "marriage" had already occurred.

The "marriage" is still yet future, when all is said and done, Jesus' enemies have been destroyed, and He sits on the throne of David.

God said that JESUS HIMSELF WAS THE NEW COVENANT.
Isaiah 42:6 " ... And I will appoint You as a COVENANT to the people, as a light to the nations. John the Baptist told Israel that He was coming and prepared the people for His appearance. But long before that, the wise men asked, "Where is He who has been born the King of the Jews?" Jesus was changing lives before He even appeared on earth. Look at John the Baptist's parents, Joseph, and Mary, and after His birth, the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna. He was and IS THE NEW COVENANT.

There are two separate and different "things."
The first is the "kingdom of God" which is Christ Himself. HE IS the kingdom of God.

28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Matt. 12:27–28.

Plain and simple. Jesus is declaring Himself as being the kingdom of God.

Then, there is the kingdom of heaven which is New Jerusalem that will descend from above (heaven.)

Jeremiah gives the prophecy of a New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34.)
Isaiah refers the New Covenant as "a new thing" God does in the earth.

6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness,
And will hold thine hand, and will keep thee,
And give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes,
To bring out the prisoners from the prison,
And them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name:
And my glory will I not give to another,
Neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass,
And new things do I declare:
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isaiah 42:6–9.

Jesus Christ is THAT "prophet like unto Moses" and He came while Israel - including Jesus Christ - was under the Law of Moses.

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4–5.

While under the Law, Jesus Christ said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Matt. 5:17.

Jesus Christ is the Kingdom of God. He came as prophesied and promised to Israel and fulfilled the Law while under the Mosaic Covenant.
The New Covenant is only the Mosaic Covenant fulfilled by Jesus Christ. This New Covenant is sealed in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. And while Jesus Christ initiated the New Covenant in His blood, it was the giving and appearance of the Holy Spirit of Promise (Joel) PROMISED TO ISRAEL when the New Covenant began.
The New Birth under the New Covenant is the conversion of natural Olive tree Israel into spiritual Olive tree Israel that began on the day of the Jewish Feast of Harvest (ca. AD 32) and the saving of three thousand Jews that was the beginning and birth of the Church Jesus Christ promised to build, and this He did when three thousand Jews were born-again.

Through this new birth of every Jew was their justification ("Not Guilty!") and the beginning of their personal sanctification in the Spirit for the rest of their lives on earth as they are conformed daily into the image of Christ (Spirit) in them (Who is Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God. This is why Jesus said, "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Lk 17:20–21.)

(or Christ in you.)