The Kingdom of God The Mediatorial Kingdom in Old Testament Prophecy Part I

The Kingdom of GodThe Kingdom of God

The Mediatorial Kingdom in The Mediatorial Kingdom in Old Testament ProphecyOld Testament Prophecy

Part IPart I

Last WeekLast Week

The Mediatorial Rulers from Moses to The Mediatorial Rulers from Moses to SaulSaul

The Monarchial Form of the The Monarchial Form of the Mediatorial Kingdom in HistoryMediatorial Kingdom in History

The Decline and End of the The Decline and End of the Mediatorial Kingdom in HistoryMediatorial Kingdom in History

United King.

Northern Kingdom

Southern Kingdom

722 BC

586 BC

The Role of the Prophets During the Decline of the

Kingdom

Prophets

Prophets

This WeekThis Week

Introduction – The nature, interpretation, Introduction – The nature, interpretation, and extent of kingdom prophecy. McClain and extent of kingdom prophecy. McClain calls OT prophecy the largest and most calls OT prophecy the largest and most important area of investigation regarding important area of investigation regarding the future mediatorial kingdom.the future mediatorial kingdom.

The prophetic kingdom is related to The prophetic kingdom is related to history. Why does McClain emphasize this?history. Why does McClain emphasize this?

The Mediatorial ruler in the prophetic The Mediatorial ruler in the prophetic kingdom.kingdom.

IntroductionIntroduction The Nature of Kingdom ProphecyThe Nature of Kingdom Prophecy

• Prophecy arises out of a definite historical situation existing before the Prophecy arises out of a definite historical situation existing before the eyes of the prophet; there is always a connection with the past.eyes of the prophet; there is always a connection with the past.

• Prophecy and Time – events which appear together in prophecy may in Prophecy and Time – events which appear together in prophecy may in their fulfillment be widely separated in time (e.g., the two comings of their fulfillment be widely separated in time (e.g., the two comings of Christ Isa 9:6-7, the 70 weeks of Daniel 9). The sequence of events Christ Isa 9:6-7, the 70 weeks of Daniel 9). The sequence of events may also be reversed (e.g. new heavens and new earth mentioned may also be reversed (e.g. new heavens and new earth mentioned before millennial conditions in Isa 65:17-25).before millennial conditions in Isa 65:17-25).

The Interpretation of Kingdom Prophecy – 3 major schools:The Interpretation of Kingdom Prophecy – 3 major schools:• Literal – according to the rules of grammar (including figures of speech) Literal – according to the rules of grammar (including figures of speech)

and the facts in history. (McClain allows for more typology here than I and the facts in history. (McClain allows for more typology here than I would, e.g. when he says it is legitimate for a preacher to take a would, e.g. when he says it is legitimate for a preacher to take a prophecy concerning Israel and apply it to the church [p. 141]).prophecy concerning Israel and apply it to the church [p. 141]).

• Eclectical – aka “spiritual” method. Originated by Origen, who was a Eclectical – aka “spiritual” method. Originated by Origen, who was a Platonist in philosophy. It is eclectic in that it takes some things Platonist in philosophy. It is eclectic in that it takes some things literally and some not.literally and some not.

• Critical – denies the supernatural character of Scripture, especially Critical – denies the supernatural character of Scripture, especially concerning prophecy. More radical group says prophecy written after concerning prophecy. More radical group says prophecy written after the event; moderates accept literal meaning, but say there is no the event; moderates accept literal meaning, but say there is no present validity.present validity.

The Extent of Kingdom ProphecyThe Extent of Kingdom Prophecy• Begins with scattered references in the Pentateuch, opens up clearly Begins with scattered references in the Pentateuch, opens up clearly

with the historical books, grows in volume and brilliance as the with the historical books, grows in volume and brilliance as the historical kingdom declines and comes to its close in Malachi.historical kingdom declines and comes to its close in Malachi.

The Prophetic Kingdom Is Related The Prophetic Kingdom Is Related to Historyto History

“…“…the Messianic Kingdom will not only be the Messianic Kingdom will not only be established in future history but its roots are established in future history but its roots are anchored in history past” (McClain, p. 147).anchored in history past” (McClain, p. 147).

Its coming king will be related to history.Its coming king will be related to history.• He is related to historical persons such as Adam and Eve He is related to historical persons such as Adam and Eve

(Gen 3:15), Abraham (Gen 17:8), the tribe of Judah (Gen (Gen 3:15), Abraham (Gen 17:8), the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:10), the family of Jesse (Isa 11:1), the line of David 49:10), the family of Jesse (Isa 11:1), the line of David (Jer 23:5).(Jer 23:5).

• He is to be born in a historical place, Bethlehem (Mic He is to be born in a historical place, Bethlehem (Mic 5:2).5:2).

• He will sit on the throne of David (Isa 9:7) and execute He will sit on the throne of David (Isa 9:7) and execute “judgment and righteousness in the land” (Jer. 33:15).“judgment and righteousness in the land” (Jer. 33:15).

Its establishment will be within the arena of Its establishment will be within the arena of history.history.• It is a kingdom on the earth, headquartered at Jerusalem It is a kingdom on the earth, headquartered at Jerusalem

in the land of Palestine, just as the historical kingdom of in the land of Palestine, just as the historical kingdom of the OT was.the OT was.


Its favored nation will be the Israel of history.Its favored nation will be the Israel of history.• God’s covenant relationship with Israel is the basis for God’s covenant relationship with Israel is the basis for

this. The prophets contain both punishment and hope of this. The prophets contain both punishment and hope of restoration in the last days. Once restoration comes, it restoration in the last days. Once restoration comes, it will never be taken away.will never be taken away.

• This has been denied by 2 different hermeneutical This has been denied by 2 different hermeneutical schemes:schemes:

OT prophecies seen as fulfilled in Israel’s first return to the OT prophecies seen as fulfilled in Israel’s first return to the land. What is wrong with this conclusion?land. What is wrong with this conclusion?

Making the church the “new Israel.”Making the church the “new Israel.” It will destroy and supplant historical powers.It will destroy and supplant historical powers.

• Daniel 2 and 7. If the preceding human kingdoms are on Daniel 2 and 7. If the preceding human kingdoms are on earth, so will be the kingdom of Messiah.earth, so will be the kingdom of Messiah.

Visions in Daniel 2 and 7Visions in Daniel 2 and 7

Picture taken from InternationalInductive Study Bible, p. 1432.


Its beneficiaries will include nations of Its beneficiaries will include nations of history.history.• The nations will not be completely annihilated The nations will not be completely annihilated

but will instead become worshippers of the but will instead become worshippers of the true God (Isa 2:2-4).true God (Isa 2:2-4).

Its covenant basis is grounded in history.Its covenant basis is grounded in history.• AbrahamicAbrahamic• MosaicMosaic• DavidicDavidic• NewNew

NEW

DAVIDIC – DEFINEDKINGDOM

MOSAIC – DEFINED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD & ISRAEL

ABRAHAMIC – LAND, SEED, AND BLESSING

Relationship Between the Relationship Between the CovenantsCovenants

NEW

DAVIDIC – DEFINEDKINGDOM

MOSAIC – DEFINED RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD & ISRAEL

ABRAHAMIC – LAND, SEED, AND BLESSING

Fulfillment of the Covenants in the Fulfillment of the Covenants in the KingdomKingdom

Continuity of the New Covenant Continuity of the New Covenant with the Mosaic Covenantwith the Mosaic Covenant

It thus appears that the difference between It thus appears that the difference between the old and the new covenants must be the old and the new covenants must be reduced to this, that what was commanded reduced to this, that what was commanded and applied to the heart in the old is given and applied to the heart in the old is given to the new, and the new is but the to the new, and the new is but the completion of the old covenant. This is, completion of the old covenant. This is, indeed, the true relation between them, as indeed, the true relation between them, as is clearly shown by the fact, that the is clearly shown by the fact, that the essential element of the new covenant, “I essential element of the new covenant, “I will be their God, and they shall be my will be their God, and they shall be my people,” was set forth as the object of the people,” was set forth as the object of the old; cf. Lev. 26:12 with Ex. 29:45 (C.F. Keil, old; cf. Lev. 26:12 with Ex. 29:45 (C.F. Keil, “Jeremiah” in “Jeremiah” in Commentary on the Old Commentary on the Old TestamentTestament, 282)., 282).

Relationship of the New Covenant Relationship of the New Covenant to the Previous Covenantsto the Previous Covenants

Jeremiah’s vision for renewal corresponds with the Jeremiah’s vision for renewal corresponds with the more comprehensive statements in Isaiah. The more comprehensive statements in Isaiah. The earlier prophet merges the Davidic, Mosaic, and earlier prophet merges the Davidic, Mosaic, and Abrahamic covenants in the work of the servant. Abrahamic covenants in the work of the servant. Jeremiah locates the fulfillment of these agreements Jeremiah locates the fulfillment of these agreements at the initiation of the new covenant. When the new at the initiation of the new covenant. When the new covenant comes into effect, the others will be covenant comes into effect, the others will be gathered into it, fulfilled and explained by it. Both gathered into it, fulfilled and explained by it. Both prophets believe that a new age will come when a prophets believe that a new age will come when a cleansed, faithful people of God inherit a glorious city cleansed, faithful people of God inherit a glorious city in which they worship the Lord under the leadership of in which they worship the Lord under the leadership of a Davidic descendant. God’s law will be obeyed, and a Davidic descendant. God’s law will be obeyed, and God will rule over subjects from Israel and the nations God will rule over subjects from Israel and the nations (House, (House, Old Testament TheologyOld Testament Theology, 320)., 320).

The Mediatorial Ruler in the The Mediatorial Ruler in the Prophetic KingdomProphetic Kingdom

The nature of the coming rulerThe nature of the coming ruler• Both human and divine in nature: “Both human and divine in nature: “For a child

will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6).

The origin of the coming rulerThe origin of the coming ruler• Both natural and supernatural; born of a Both natural and supernatural; born of a

woman, but conceived by the Holy Spirit.woman, but conceived by the Holy Spirit.


The character of the coming rulerThe character of the coming ruler• “Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch

from his roots will bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear; But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, And faithfulness the belt about His waist” (Isa 11:1-5).

• ““He will be the ‘servant’ of Jehovah, revealing in His character He will be the ‘servant’ of Jehovah, revealing in His character and leadership all the perfections which were so sadly lacking and leadership all the perfections which were so sadly lacking in even the best of former rulers in the historical kingdom” in even the best of former rulers in the historical kingdom” (McClain, p. 164).(McClain, p. 164).

The ability of the coming rulerThe ability of the coming ruler• Not only good and wise, but also Not only good and wise, but also strong and capablestrong and capable, fully able , fully able

to execute His will. He shall not fail in His task!to execute His will. He shall not fail in His task!


The functions of the coming rulerThe functions of the coming ruler• Three functions of leadership in the historical kingdom:Three functions of leadership in the historical kingdom:

KingKing PriestPriest ProphetProphet

• OT prophecy anticipates the combination of these 3 OT prophecy anticipates the combination of these 3 offices into one. The Messiah will rule with the authority offices into one. The Messiah will rule with the authority of a king, speak God’s words as a prophet, and mediate of a king, speak God’s words as a prophet, and mediate for God’s people as a priest.for God’s people as a priest.

The mystery of the king’s careerThe mystery of the king’s career• Presented both as servant of Jehovah and a suffering Presented both as servant of Jehovah and a suffering

servant.servant.• A man of sorrows and ill treatment, and at the same A man of sorrows and ill treatment, and at the same

time the good shepherd of Israel.time the good shepherd of Israel.• Comes as the long awaited “Messiah the Prince,” but is Comes as the long awaited “Messiah the Prince,” but is

cut off and left with nothing (Dan 9:25-26).cut off and left with nothing (Dan 9:25-26).• What was the expectation for the Messiah in Jesus’ day What was the expectation for the Messiah in Jesus’ day

and why?and why?

Next Week: The Mediatorial Next Week: The Mediatorial Kingdom in Old Testament Kingdom in Old Testament

ProphecyProphecyPart IIPart II

The Coming and The Coming and Establishment of the Establishment of the Prophetic KingdomProphetic Kingdom

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The Kingdom of God The Mediatorial Kingdom in Old Testament Prophecy Part I