Messiah Jesus began His earthly ministry in Nazareth and Capernaum. He proclaimed that He must preach the message of the Kingdom of God in other cities for He said that He had been sent for this purpose (Luke 4:43). This was the primary message of Jesus; He hardly spoke of anything else. Just before He was crucified He stated that "this gospel of the kingdom must be preached in every nation and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). The Church has, for the most part, lost "this message of the Kingdom" and has adopted "another gospel"; one that is focused on the concept of man-centered salvation, healing and prosperity.

The message of the Kingdom of God is fundamental to the Hebrew Scriptures. Indeed, the period of the Judges represents the first direct manifestation of the Kingdom of God on earth. Due to the weakness of the human components of this kingdom, it failed. Yet the kingdom of this period pointed forward to a greater manifestation of the Kingdom. With Jesus, God initiated this second kingdom which Jesus uniquely announced. That kingdom is still in the process of preparation. It will be manifested with the return of Messiah Jesus in glory to Jerusalem.

During the period of the Judges, God ruled directly in the midst of His people Israel. This period was initiated at Mt. Sinai when God descended on the mountain and established a covenant with Israel. Following the consummation of this covenant, God instructed Israel to build Him a Mikdash (holy house) so He could dwell in the midst of them (Exodus 25:8). After the Mikdash was completed, God took His position on His throne (the Holy of Holies) and actively ruled over Israel (Exodus 40:34-35). From this position He moved with Israel throughout the wilderness and eventually into Eretz Israel. With the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, He again took His position in the Holy of Holies (2 Chronicles 5:14). From this position He continued His reign over Israel.

God's rule utilized a human component, the Priest and the Judge.

God's rule utilized a human component, the Priest and the Judge. The priesthood offered sacrifices before the Mikdash and made intercession for the people. The Judge was chosen and anointed by God to bring His word to the people. The office of Judge was modified during the era of the Kings to include the King and the Prophet. The Kings ruled over the people and the prophet was anointed to bring God's word to His people.

This kingdom came to an end when the Babylonians took Judah into exile in 586 BC. God's presence departed from the Temple (Ezekiel 10:4, 10:18-19, 11:22-23) and the Temple was destroyed. The King was deposed and his descendants were cut off before he was carried into exile.

We believe that God intended this Kingdom to be a "type" of the Kingdom to come. Just as the Passover Lamb serves as a type for the Lamb of God, and David is a type of the Great King Messiah, this early kingdom serves as a type of the greater expression of Kingdom which God is bringing into the world.

Somewhat over six hundred years after the end of the first expression of the Kingdom of God, Messiah Jesus came forth preaching a new message concerning the Kingdom of God. This Kingdom would not be a simple repetition of the first. It would not be quick in coming (Luke 19:11-27). The anointed offices of the New Kingdom, the Priest, Prophet and King, would be the resurrected Jesus, Himself. The Temple would be built of living stones over millennia of time. These living stones would be those called by Messiah Jesus and who responded in faith by becoming obedient, disciplined followers of the Lord. These would be the ones who willingly laid down their lives for the Kingdom and who endured to the end. Ultimately the King would come to His house in the Glory of His Father (Matthew 16:27). That Temple would be made up of the host of resurrected believers, those who belong to Him at His coming (1 Corinthians 15:23). Jerusalem would become the "Throne of the Lord" (Jeremiah 3:17). At that time the Law will go forth from Zion and the Word of God from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3b) when the kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah (Revelation 11:15). The rule would not be limited to Israel but would extend to every nation of the world.

John said that Satan would be bound for a thousand years.

Through this manifestation of God's Kingdom, God's wisdom, righteousness and mercy will be openly manifested in the world. His blessing and productivity will be evident. The tyranny of human self-determination will end — Jesus will be Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Peter proclaimed that this would be the "period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets" (Acts 3:21). All government will rest on His shoulders (Isaiah 9:7). Satan (that evil prince who opposes God and accuses and condemns humans) will not be allowed any expression in the world. John said that Satan would be bound for a thousand years (Revelation 20:2).

We are getting ready for God's Kingdom today. Now at the end of the 20th century, there have never been so many signs indicating that the end of this present world order is near. Israel has been regathered. The world is on the verge of a global government. The time of His coming is near. Look with expectancy for God to intervene in planet earth in the most awesome way yet. His Kingdom is very near!

This, then, is the gospel of the Kingdom of God. This message of the hope of God's massive intervention in earth must be preached in every nation (community). It is our responsibility to do it.