Countdown to the Kingdom

[look2jesus]

Allyn,

I’m going to go through this thread starting at the beginning and revisit some of your statements.

You began this thread by quoting John the Baptist saying, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. (Matthew 3:2).”

You then made this statement, “The Kingdom of God had not arrived for the first century people but they were being taught to prepare for it. Here are some examples of this time of preperation.”

You followed up with numerous quotes from the NT regarding the kingdom of God. Then you made this statement,

“The Kingdom of God does not arrive until after the resurrection of the dead. We know from Daniel 12 that those who participate in the resurrection of the dead are of Israel only. Therefore the resurrection happens then Christ comes with all His holy angels and separated the sheep from the goats. This is the action of the kingdom of God in which it is then known who is in the kingdom.”

Here is my response to those statements:

You wrote:The Kingdom of God had not arrived for the first century people but they were being taught to prepare for it. (emphasis mine)

You haven’t established this assertion at all. Even one of the verses you quoted in support of your statement contradicts it, e.g., Matthew 23:13. How could Jesus chastise the Pharisees for not entering the kingdom of heaven and for barring others who were trying to enter if “The Kingdom of God had not arrived for the first century people…” as you stated. Also, Mt. 12:28 contradicts your statement.
“But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” NKJV (emphasis added)

You wrote:The Kingdom of God does not arrive until after the resurrection of the dead.

Where did you establish this fact?

You wrote:We know from Daniel 12 that those who participate in the resurrection of the dead are of Israel only.

You should have stated that “according to my interpretation of Daniel 12” etc., because it seems obvious to me that your understanding of that passage is not the only valid interpretation possible and I feel that you are importing a meaning into the text that isn’t necessarily there.

What I would like is if you would address the objections stated in my response. Please limit your answer to those statements of yours that I have highlighted and my stated objections. Thanks.

l2j