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baby's hand in an adult's hand

The resurrection of the dead is the linchpin of Christianity. Jesus’ resurrection is the evidence that Christians of all generations can trust in their own eternal life.

As Paul put it, “... if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith … And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Cor. 15:14, 17 NIV)

Welcome to the 45th post in my series of rethinking Christian eschatology. 

If you’ve read this entire series (and if you haven’t please stop reading here and start from the beginning so everything makes sense), then you have seen the mountain of evidence I have presented from the Scriptures (alone) that:

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Title Slide: Re-Thinking the Ekklesia [the visible and invisible church]

In last month’s lesson, The Church of the Old Testament, I emphasized how Jesus’ church is the promised re-gathering of scattered Israel.

Through the Prophets, GOD promised a new covenant with Israel that would be different than the first (see Jer. 31:31-34).

This month’s lesson continues developing the theme of re-thinking Jesus’ church by examining the differences between the visible and invisible church. While the differences may seem obvious at first, realizing the implications of these differences and how people have conflated the two churches provides a powerful “Aha!” moment for us.

Let’s begin our analysis by visualizing the two covenants GOD made with Israel.

GOD’s Vision for Ancient Israel

At Mt. Sinai, GOD offered the physical children of Israel (Jacob) a covenant.

5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you shall be a special people to Me above all nations; for all the earth is Mine. 6 You shall be to Me a royal priesthood and a holy nation.’
(Ex. 19:5-6 OSB)

Here was GOD’s vision for Israel:

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Kid holding a Bible with mouth open

What is the first verse in your Bible that includes the word “church”?

For most English translations, the answer is Matthew 16:18.

In this passage, Jesus tells the apostles—for the first time EVER in the Gospel accounts!—that He’s going to build His church.

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Think about the vast impact that Jesus' church has had upon human history:

  • Christianity has had the greatest impact upon human history of any idea or “invention” (for lack of a better descriptor), period.
  • The apostles, to whom Jesus seemingly revealed this plan on this occasion, played the biggest role in that greatest “invention.”

And in Matthew 16, this is the first time one of the Gospel accounts mention this truth that Jesus was going to build His church.

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It's kind of a big deal for the reader.

Now, look at what Matthew says regarding the apostles’ reaction to this seemingly bombshell of an announcement from their Leader:

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.

21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.
(Matt. 16:13-21 NASB)

What reaction does Matthew report from the apostles at this “revelation” from Jesus?!?!?

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Castle on a small island surrounded by blue water

What exactly is the kingdom of heaven? When will it come—or, when did it come? And what does the kingdom of heaven mean for Christians today?

The kingdom of heaven is the primary theme of the New Testament Scriptures.

John the Baptist came preaching a baptism of repentance for the Jews, teaching that the kingdom of heaven was near.

Jesus picked up right where John left off and proclaimed that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the kingdom to come. And yet, in other places, Jesus warned the Jewish religious leaders that GOD was going to weed out all the wicked from the kingdom, indicating that the kingdom was already present at that time.

So which is it?

Was the kingdom already present or not?

How are we to make sense of Jesus' teachings which seem, at first glance, to contradict one another?

After Jesus ascended to heaven, the evangelists and apostles went everywhere preaching the gospel of the kingdom.

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The kingdom of heaven is a subject that needs a lot of clarification. We've badly misunderstood it and I'm hoping to help.

It's time to take a fresh look. It's time to re-think the kingdom of heaven.

Let me show you:

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Jerusalem temple foundation wailing wall

What is GOD's eternal purpose for Israel?

Who is Israel today?

Does Israel still matter to GOD today? Are Jews still GOD's special people? Why hasn't the Jerusalem temple been rebuilt?

What should be the Christian's attitude towards the modern country of Israel? Should Christians support Israel for religious reasons?

Are there yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecies for physical Israel?

It's time for us to re-think what Scripture reveals about Israel. Will you join me? Let's do it!