The Nugget:
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
My Comment:
The subject of “the kingdom of heaven” is not well understood today. The “kingdom of heaven” terminology used by Matthew is identical in meaning to “the kingdom of God” language used elsewhere in the New Testament. Much misunderstanding seems to be created by whatever theological system the interpreter happens to follow. It is time we step away from our chosen humanly-devised theological framework to read what the Bible itself has to say.
The Lesson:
SERIES TITLE: Getting Hooked on the Book
UNIT: Cross Reference Guide Introduction
SESSION ELEVEN: Christ’s Earthly Ministry. The Kingdom is at Hand: The Kingdom Announced.
LESSON OBJECTIVE: Discover the implications of Christ’s kingdom offer.
SCRIPTURE TEXT: Matthew 4:17.
- that. Mk 1:14. began. Ac 1:22. 10:37. Repent. Mt 10:7. Lk 9:2. 10:11, 12, 13, 14. +Lk 13:3. 2 Tim 2:25, 26. He 6:1. kingdom of heaven. Mt 3:2. 5:3, 10, 19, 20. 7:21. 8:11. 10:7. 11:11, 12. 13:11, 19, 24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47, 52. 16:19. 18:1, 3, 4, 23. 19:12, 14, 23. 20:1. 22:2. 23:13. 25:1. +Mk 1:15. at hand. Mt 10:7. +Mt 21:43. Is 56:1.
PROCEDURE:
A. Raise the question, Was the Kingdom of Heaven actually established during Christ’s earthly ministry?
B. In what sense was the kingdom “at hand”?
C. Upon what condition was the kingdom offered?
D. Did the Jews as a nation meet the condition? What conclusion must be drawn, then, as to the presence or establishment of the kingdom of heaven during the ministry of Christ?
E. How many different kinds of kingdoms did Jesus offer when he stated “The kingdom of heaven is at hand”?
F. Study the cross references given at Matthew 3:2 and Daniel 2:44. Is the kingdom of heaven the subject of prophecy and covenant? If so, what are its parameters according to prophecy and covenant?
Matthew 3:2.
- Repent. Mt 12:41. 21:29, 30, 31, 32. 1 K 8:47. Jb 42:6. Ml 4:5, 6. Lk 1:16, 17. 3:3. +Lk 13:3. 16:30. 2 Cor 7:10. 2 Tim 2:25. He 6:1. 2 P 3:9. kingdom of. +Mt 4:17. 6:10, 33. +Mk 1:15. heaven. +Ps 73:9. at hand. Mt 4:17. 10:7. +Mt 21:43.
Daniel 2:44.
- in the days. Chal. in their days. ver. 41, +43 (Da 2:41. +Da 2:43). these kings. The days of the ten yet future kings. Re 17:12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. God of heaven. ver. 28, +37 (Da 2:28. +Da 2:37). set up a kingdom. Da 4:3, 34. +Ge 49:10. Is 11:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 24:23. +Mt 6:10. 28:18. Jn 18:36, 37. +1 Cor 15:24, 25, 26, 27, 28. Ep 1:20, 21, 22. 2 Th 1:7-10. Jude 1:14, 15. +Re 11:15. 20:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. which shall never. Da 4:3, 34. 6:26. 7:13, 14, 27. +Ps 45:6. Ezk 37:25. Mic 4:7. +Lk 1:32, 33. Jn 12:34. He 12:28. be destroyed. Zc 14:3. Re 19:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. kingdom. Chal. kingdom thereof. not be left. Da 7:18. Jl 3:17. +Am 9:15. Mic 4:1, 2, 3, 7. +Ac 1:6. 3:19, 20, 21. 15:16, 17. break in pieces. ver. 34, 35 (Da 2:34, 35). Da 8:25. Ps 2:9. 21:8, 9. Is 8:15. 30:14. 60:12. Je 19:10, 11. Mic 4:13. Zc 12:3. Mt 21:44. Lk 20:18. 1 Cor 15:24, 25. Re 2:27. 19:15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. and consume. Lk 20:18. for ever. Chal. alam, +Ex 12:24. 1 Cor 15:24, 25. Re 20:3.
CONCLUSION:
- After consulting the references supplied to each clause of this lesson’s Scripture text, answer the question: “What common thread of truth ties this set of references together?”
- What conclusions do you draw about the Bible’s own teaching regarding the subjects dealt with in this lesson’s Scripture text?
- What instruction or encouragement do you derive from the insights received from this comparison of related Bible texts?