The Kingdom of Christ in the Apocalypse -- By: Robert L. Thomas

Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 03:2 (Fall 1992)
Article: The Kingdom of Christ in the Apocalypse
Author: Robert L. Thomas


The Kingdom of Christ in the Apocalypse

Robert L. Thomas

Professor of New Testament

In spite of admitted limitations in knowledge about the future, a fairly good understanding of the kingdom of Christ as it is portrayed in the last book of the Bible is possible. Though allowance is made for a present aspect of the kingdom, the time of the kingdom in its ultimate form is clearly future. The location of the kingdom is fixed in the earthly sphere rather than a heavenly one. The nature of the kingdom is political and outward in the common understanding of the terms and not merely spiritual and hidden. This is seen from its OT roots, the means by which it is established, and the internal conditions with which it must cope. The span of the kingdom covers the period between Christs second coming and the creation of the new heavens and new earth—a period of one thousand years on earth as it is now known—and then an unlimited phase after the new creation.

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Any approach to the predictive portions of the Apocalypse must be with a full sense of limitations imposed on human comprehension of future events, even those spelled out in Scripture in nonapocalyptic terminology (cf. 1 Pet 1:10–11). Yet recognition of the impossibility of comprehending enough details to satisfy human curiosity must be balanced with a determination to know as much as the Inspirer of Scripture intended by way of doctrinal motivation for intelligent Christian life and responsibility. Basic data about the future are discernible if care is exercised to avoid foregone conclusions.1

The text of John’s Apocalypse yields satisfactory answers to at

least four questions regarding one of its very prominent themes,2 the kingdom of Christ: What are the time, location, nature, and duration of this kingdom? Too often studies related to the kingdom in Revelation have come only from a limited part of the book, Rev 19:11–20:10 or some comparable smaller context.3 Answers to the above questions should arise from a consideration of the whole book as the following discussion will propose.

The Time of the Kingdom

John speaks of being a “fellow partaker in the affliction and kingdom and endurance” with his readers (1:9). A common explanation of this expression has been that the present experience of tribulation is what brings in the kin...

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