0117 WHEN TO EXPECT THE KINGDOM

WHEN TO EXPECT THE KINGDOM

The very beginning of Matthew 17 presents an opportunity for us to talk about time and the kingdom of God. The combination of time and the kingdom creates one of the most important and controversial topics in the Bible, so we might as well address it now.

First, let’s talk about time. The chapter opens with, “And after six days . . ..” The gospel of Mark records the same time measurement: “After six days.” But Luke describes the time as, “Now about eight days after.” 

Maybe this is not a big deal to you. But some consider this to be a contradiction in the Bible. What was it: Six days or eight days? Of course, we might say, “About a week later,” and we would forgive it. But let me give a possible explanation, in case you are curious. In Jewish culture, the Sabbath and the measurement of “seven” days was something to be especially careful with. So Jewish writers might typically refer to a week as either “after six days” or “about eight days,” because they want to honor the sacredness of the seventh day.

Another picky controversy over time in the Bible would be Jesus’ resurrection. Was he in the grave for three days and three nights (the sign of Jonah)? Did he rise on the third day? Did he rise after three days? All three terms are used interchangeably, and none of the Bible authors seem to be concerned with the difference. Traditionally, we consider Jesus to have died on Friday afternoon and to have risen early Sunday morning. That is certainly not three days and three nights. But no one in that first generation was bothered by our more particular measurements of time.

But to clarify: We also use contradictory time terms regularly in our culture and aren’t bothered by the inaccuracy at all. “Just a minute?” “Just a second?” or “Just a moment?” The twentieth century was the 1900s. Someone is one year old all the way until completing their second year of life. Then the “second” birthday (which is technically the third “birth” day of their life) is actually the start of the third year of their life. And on and on it goes.

Okay, enough of that. The second major topic here is THE KINGDOM. This was the notable time marker that happened six days before, or about eight days before, that caused all three synoptic gospels to measure time to the transfiguration.

Here’s what Jesus said: “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Luke describes it as, “they see the kingdom of God.” It must have been a life-marking event when Jesus said it. They are going to see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom! 

No doubt, when the transfiguration occurred, they wondered if it was the fulfillment of that prediction! “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” (V. 1-2)

Was this the Son of Man coming in his kingdom? The transformation certainly showed something supernatural about Jesus. Joined by Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the prophets), with the voice of His Father identifying him as His Son. On their way down the mountain, the disciples are asking the Lord about it. Was this it? Was that the start of the kingdom? Somehow none of them would have died before the Son of Man brought the kingdom, so it must be soon.

Thus begins the controversy. Maybe that wasn’t the coming of the kingdom, but the disciples didn’t know what to look for yet. Maybe the kingdom came in power with the cross and/or the resurrection of Jesus. After all, at his ascension, the disciples asked, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus simply answered  them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” So it still seems like a mystery at that point of time. Of course, some ten days later at the day of Pentecost, the kingdom came with power. Was that it?

The next possible event would be the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Perhaps that could be what Jesus described, when Jerusalem and the temple itself were destroyed. It was certainly the end of an era. Or, many believe that perhaps the Father in his mercy has continued to postpone the clear plan for the kingdom, and even today the coming of the kingdom is on indefinite hold, with the hour known only to the Father.

Jesus taught us to pray, may your kingdom come. We are continuing to pray for it, whatever form it may take. Then, we are told, time will be no more, and He shall reign forever. Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come. Amen.