Dispensational Proof 20
20. The Kingdom
Renald Showers in his book “There Really Is A Difference” has a great chapter entitled “The Kingdom of God Concept in the Scriptures.” The concept of the universal kingdom of God supports dispensational teaching about the glory of God being the overall purpose and theme of the Bible. This is contrary to the covenant theology emphasis on the redemptive plan of God. Although covenant theologians will claim the glory of God as a theme of the Bible they do not give it the preeminence like dispensationalists do.
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. “Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (NKJV)
Although Scripture makes it clear that God is and always has been sovereign over all his creation this universal kingdom concept is not the only way in which the Bible speaks about kingdoms. Specific language in the entire revelation of Scripture reveals that God will also have a mediatorial kingdom on this literal earth. There are many passages that use a prophetic future tense in the Old Testament and that means it will be accomplished just as God said. The fact that the Bible continues to speak of a kingdom on earth with factors of time is proof that dispensational views regarding the kingdom are most true to the Scripture. The book of Acts speaks of future events surrounding the literal return of Christ and it notes that “after the times of the Gentiles” there will be a “time of refreshing” for Israel. Not only are there time factors but there are also literal thrones and people spoken of in a kingdom in Israel. The 12 Apostles are promised to rule and reign with Christ and so are His saints in various ways. Note in your reading of scripture what they rule and reign over: land, nations, peoples. Worship takes place in Jerusalem. David and his throne are presented as part of this future kingdom. God through His Son Jesus Christ will take back the realm of the earth from Satanic domination in a future literal millennial kingdom. This truth is what makes God faithful to his very words in the Old Testament prophetic texts. The New Testament recognizes the truths of the Old Testament kingdom passages.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:32-33 (NKJV)
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Editor’s Note: Here is an excerpt from Renald Shower’s book, “There Really Is A Difference”
The Theocratic Kingdom of God is the second aspect or expression of the Kingdom of God. A theocracy is the form of government in which the rule of God is administered through a mediator or representative. In light of the nature of a theocracy, and in light of the biblical teaching concerning this aspect of the Kingdom of God, several conclusions can be drawn concerning the Theocratic Kingdom of God.
First, the Theocratic Kingdom of God is a more narrow or limited aspect of the Kingdom of God than is the Universal Kingdom of God. This is so because the Theocratic Kingdom of God is only one expression or phase of the Univeral Kingdom.
Second, the Theocratic Kingdom of God is restricted to God’s rule over the earth; it does not involve His rule over the entire universe. By contrast, the Universal Kingdom of God is the rule of God over the entire universe (including the earth).
Third, the Theocratic Kingdom of God is restricted to the indirect administration of God’s rule through a human mediator or representative (through an Adam); it does not involve God’s direct administration of His rule. By contrast, the Universal Kingdom of God involves both the indirect and direct administration of God’s rule.
Fourth, the Theocratic Kingdom of God is restricted just to those times when God has an Adam administering His rule over the entire earth. There are only two such time periods for this present earth: the time between man’s creation and fall and the time of the future Millennium.
Renald E. Showers, There Really Is a Difference!: A Comparison of Covenant and Dispensational Theology (Bellmawr, NJ: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Inc., 1990), 161–162.
