Bible Training Center
Section 8.0 – Of Kings And Kingdoms
introduction & articles
introduction
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the LORD at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel. – 2 Samuel 5:3
the way kingdoms are established
Kings become kings by making a covenant with the people. This was true for David and Jesus as well. It is even true today.
Not only are kings established in their position by way of covenant, so are democratically elected presidents of modern nations. In the United States, before the election for a new president there is a series of statewide elections called primary elections. This is when those from a political party (usually Democrat or Republican) who would like to be president compete against each other in the primary elections. Each candidate speaks at a variety of events where they make a series os claims and promises concerning what they would do or not do if they were president. These promises are nothing less than terms of an agreement, i.e., covenant, they want to make with the American people. The people expect the person elected as President to keep the promises made during the campaign.
Jesus also became King of Kings by making a covenant. He laid out the terms of the covenant, i.e., commandments and instructions, during the three years of His ministry. He also made several promises to the people of Israel and the world.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’
22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.” (Matthew 5:21-22)
38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places,
39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets,
40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” (Mark 12:38-40)
14:13 “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
15:16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” (John 14:13, 15:7, 15:16)
Those who keep the commandments of the New Covenant are the ones who are walking in the covenant. These are Jesus’ covenant friends. And according to the mandate of blood covenant, each partner will do whatever asked of them by the other, and that without hesitation or regret. Jesus is a covenant keeper, and so is the Father. This is why Jesus promises He and the Father will do whatever asked of them by fellow covenant keepers. It is the covenant way.
The kingdom of Jesus Christ was established on a covenant with the Father and all of mankind. So powerful is this kingdom that it extends to the whole world.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church [the ekklésia (ek-klay-see’-ah), the assembly of called out covenant keepers]
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:18-23)
Jesus Christ’s kingdom is a covenant kingdom, and all who enter His covenant by way of repentance are heirs of the kingdom.
Section 8.0 - Articles
The Bible is the Word of God. In its pages God reveals Himself to mankind. The apostle Paul wrote on two different occasions, that the things that are in the Scriptures are there for our instruction. (Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11) Biblical instruction is gained through two pathways.
While many know what’s in the Bible, few understand it. At the same time, there are many who believe they understand the Bible, but their understanding is little more than a collection of theologies and doctrines passed on to them by the leaders of the church system they have joined themselves to. While the situation is a sad one, there is one thing that to me is the most sad of all. That is: It doesn’t have to be that way.