This teaching also includes the supplemental notes The Kingdom of God Is “At Hand” within the normal notes.

John Harrigan

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B. The Church is thus asojourning nationwitnessing to all the nations that the Day of the Lord is coming and Jesus is the Messiah. The Church is not adominionizing nation,establishing the sovereignty of God, or anescapist nation,avoiding contact with this world, before the annihilation of creation.
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,a holy nation, God&#8217;s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…11Beloved, I urge youas aliens and exilesto abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul.12Conduct yourselves honorablyamong the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds andglorify God when he comes to judge.13For the Lord&#8217;s sake accept the authority ofevery human institution…(NRSV1 Peter 2:9-13)
C. The grace of God through the Holy Spirit is given to the Church to strengthen us in our sojourning and our witness of him to whom we are sojourning. The Holy Spirit is given as a “gift” (Acts 1:4) and a “helper” (Jn. 14:16), that the Church might remain faithful and perseverant in her calling.
Do not leave Jerusalem, butwait for the giftmy Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized withthe Holy Spirit…8you willreceive powerwhen the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you willbe my witnessesin Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, andto the ends of the earth. (NIVActs 1:4-8)
I give thanks to my God always for you because ofthe grace of Godthat was given you in Christ Jesus,5that in every way you wereenriched in him in all speech and all knowledge-6even asthe testimony about Christ was confirmedamong you-7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,8who willsustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV1 Corinthians 1:4-8)
D. This grace is released by means of prayer alone. The lack of the necessity of grace and the multiplication of the means of grace are the two primary reasons why the modern church refuses to organize itself around the place of prayer, individually and corporately.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened…13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spiritto those who ask him! (NIVLuke 11:9-13)
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,11and so, somehow, toattain to the resurrection from the dead…13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind andstraining toward what is ahead,14I press on toward the goalto win the prizefor which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus…20But our citizenship is in heaven. And weeagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, willtransform our lowly bodiesso that they will be like his glorious body. (NIVPhilippians 3:10-14)

CONTINUED INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW

A. However, all prayer is not equal. Church history is littered with monastic movements that pray much, yet live in great sin and wickedness. God will not be mocked; He knows truth in the inward parts and demands righteousness.
You do not have,because you do not ask.3You ask and do not receive,because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.4You adulterous people!…5do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, &#8220;He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us&#8221;?6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, &#8220;God opposes the proud, butgives grace to the humble.&#8221; (ESVJames 4:2-6)
1. Thus, to accomplish its mission and purpose the Church must order itself aroundrighteous prayer, i.e. prayer in the context of true repentance and faith. This biblical prayer could also be described as “watchful prayer” or “prayer with faith”.
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man…42Thereforekeep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…45Who then is the faithful and wise servant…48suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, &#8220;My master is staying away a long time,&#8221;49and he then begins tobeat his fellow servants(in pride)and toeat and drink with drunkards(in disbelief).50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.51He will cut him to pieces…(NIVMatthew 24:37-51)
You need topersevereso that when you have done the will of God, you willreceive what he has promised.37For in just a very little while, &#8220;He who is coming will comeand will not delay.38But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.&#8221;(cf. Hab. 2:3-4)39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but ofthose who believe and are saved.11:1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for(resurrection and Kingdom)and certain of what we do not see(in this age, cf. 2:8).2This is what the ancients were commended for…6Andwithout faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him(when Messiah comes, cf. 10:37). (NIVHebrews 10:36-11:6)
2. This language is borrowed from throughout the Old Testament, where God only answers the prayers of the righteous.
I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.18If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,the Lord would not have listened.19But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. (ESVPsalm 66:17-19)
The LORDdetests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.9The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness. (NIVProverbs 15:8-9)
Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.15When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers,I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.16Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,17learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow&#8217;s cause. (ESVIsaiah 1:14-17)
Then the LORD said to me, &#8220;Do not pray for the well-being of this people.12Although they fast,I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.&#8221; (NIVJeremiah 14:11-12)
Then they will cry out to the LORD, buthe will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done. (NIVMicah 3:4)
When I called, they did not listen; so when they called,I would not listen, says the LORD Almighty. (NIVZechariah 7:13)
3. It is only the righteous that have liberty to ask for the grace of God with confidence that they will receive it.
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us,we have confidence before God22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.23And this is his command:to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and tolove one another as he commanded us.24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. (NIV1 John 3:21-24)
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: thatif we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.15And if we know that he hears us&#8211; whatever we ask&#8211; we know that we have what we asked of him. (NIV1 John 5:13-15)
4. It is only to the righteous that God gives grace, and thus even those with a right theology and a right praxis will ultimately fall if a humble, repentant and believing heart is abandoned.
Andwhen the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory…5Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for &#8220;God opposes the proud butgives grace to the humble.&#8221;6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time(cf.“when the chief Shepherd appears”)he may exalt you(in the resurrection),7casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you…10And after you have suffered a little while,the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himselfrestore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you(in the resurrection).11To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV1 Peter 5:4-11)
B. The primary way to maintain watchful prayer is a “watchful lifestyle,” which is outlined in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Mt. 5-7; Lk. 6). Maintaining a repentant and believing heart is difficult and requires specific discipline, i.e. “acts of righteousness” (Mt. 6:1). These become the “means to the means of grace”, so to say.
Be careful not to do your &#8220;acts of righteousness&#8221; before men, to be seen by them. If you do,you will have no reward(at the coming of Messiah)from your Father in heaven. (NIVMatthew 6:1)
1.Finances– the primary aspect of the watchful lifestyle is remembering the poor. Because the accumulation of wealth and money is the primary means by which humanity rejects God’s discipline in the cursing of the ground (cf. Gen. 3:17-19) and declares independence from His rulership, it is the primary means by which the human heart bolsters pride and thus becomes defiled. Generous giving is thus the means of acknowledging the sovereignty of God in this age and producing fruit in keeping with our fear of the Day of the Lord
So when yougive to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets,to be honored by men(acknowledgment of authority). I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (NIVMatthew 6:2-4)
<ul>
<li>Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…24No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.You cannot serve both God and Money(Gk. mammonas, Ar. for“treasure, riches…”)…31So do not worry, saying, &#8216;What shall weeat?&#8217; or &#8216;What shall wedrink?&#8217; or &#8216;What shall wewear?&#8217;32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.33Butseek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIVMatthew 6:19-33)</li>
<li>Now there is great gain ingodliness with contentment,7for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world…9But those whodesire to be richfall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires thatplunge people into ruin and destruction.10For thelove of moneyis a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith andpierced themselves with many pangs.11But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.12Fight the good fight of the faith.Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called(by self-sacrificial giving)and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (ESV1 Timothy 6:6-12)</li>
</ul>
2.Forgiveness– another aspect of the watchful lifestyle involves an ardent commitment to forgiveness and restrain from vengeance, which simply stems from an acknowledgement of present divine sovereignty and amnesticism. Without forgiveness the human heart is defiled by pride and diluted by a false sense of justice. We forgive in light of the Day of the Lord.
This, then, is how you should pray…12&#8220;Forgive us our debts, as we also haveforgiven our debtors.13And lead us not into temptation, butdeliver us from the evil one.&#8221;14For if you forgive men when they sin against you(in this age), your heavenly Father will also forgive you(in the age to come).15But if you do not forgive men their sins(in this age), your Father will not forgive your sins(in the age to come). (NIVMatthew 6:9-15)
<ul>
<li>Peter came to Jesus and asked, &#8220;Lord, how many times shall Iforgive my brotherwhen he sins against me? Up to seven times?&#8221;22Jesus answered, &#8220;I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.23Therefore,the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants…32Then the master called the servant in. &#8216;You wicked servant,&#8217; he said, &#8216;I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.33Shouldn&#8217;t you have hadmercy on your fellow servantjust as I had on you?&#8217;34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.35This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you(at the coming of Messiah)unless youforgive your brother from your heart.&#8221; (NIVMatthew 18:21-35)</li>
<li>Husbands, live with your wivesin an understanding way(i.e. in meekness and forgiveness)…since they are heirs with you of the grace of life(i.e. resurrection),so that your prayers may not be hindered.8Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.9Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary,bless(i.e. forgive), for to this you were called, that you mayobtain a blessing(i.e. be forgiven). (ESV1 Peter 3:7-9)</li>
</ul>
3.Fasting– righteous prayer, individually and corporately, is also maintained by fasting. Fasting is the front door to entering “the house of the watchful and the wise.” It is the initial means ofself-humiliation, by which we maintain a repentant and believing heart.
Andwhen you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may beseen by others(in self-exaltation)…17But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,18that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secretwill reward you(in the Kingdom).19Do not lay up for yourselvestreasures on earth(in possession and recognition)…(ESVMatthew 6:16-19)
<ul>
<li>He also told this parable to some whotrusted in themselves…11&#8220;The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: &#8216;God, I thank you that I am not like other men…12Ifast twice a week…&#8216;&#8221; (ESVLuke 8:9-12)</li>
<li>Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them &#8216;Rabbi.&#8217;8But you are not to be called &#8216;Rabbi,&#8217; for you have onlyone Masterand you are all brothers.9And do not call anyone on earth &#8216;father,&#8217; for you haveone Father, and he is in heaven.10Nor are you to be called &#8216;teacher,&#8217; for you haveone Teacher, the Christ.11The greatest among you will be your servant.12For whoeverexalts himself(in this age)will behumbled(in the age to come), and whoeverhumbles himself(in this age)will beexalted(in the age to come). (NIVMatthew 23:5-12)</li>
<li>Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make himtwice as much a son of hell(Gk. Gehenna)as you are.16Woe to you, blind guides! You say, &#8216;If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyoneswears by the goldof the temple, he is bound by his oath.&#8217;17You blind fools!…25Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, butinside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. (NIVMatthew 23:15-25)</li>
</ul>
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SUSTAINING WATCHFUL PRAYER

A. Ultimately, the burden of proof rests on those who claim a change in the metaphysical nature of the Kingdom (i.e. spiritualization). There is no hint of a spiritualized kingdom in the Old Testament, and thus it is assumed to remain the same in the New Testament unless otherwise statedspecificallyandclearly.
B. This must be the hermeneutical starting point concerning the study of the Kingdom; otherwise, a perpetual and boundless distortion and perversion is inevitable—and that concerning the central aspect of the gospel.
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SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES: INTRODUCTION

A. The fundamental declaration concerning the Kingdom in the New Testament is its nearness. Jesus, John the Baptist, and the disciples all declare that the Kingdom of God is at hand.
John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,2&#8220;Repent, forthe kingdom of heaven is at hand(Gk. eggizo).&#8221; (ESVMatthew 3:1-2)
From that time on Jesus began to preach, &#8220;Repent, forthe kingdom of heaven is near(Gk. eggizo).&#8221; (NIVMatthew 4:17)
And proclaim as you go, saying, &#8216;The kingdom of heaven is at hand(Gk. eggizo).&#8217; (ESVMatthew 10:7)
<ul>
<li>&lt;1448&gt; evggi,zweggizo{eng-id&#8217;-zo}</li>
</ul>
Meaning:1) to bring near 2) to draw or come near to, to approach
Origin:from 1451; TDNT &#8211; 2:330,194; v
Usage:AV &#8211; draw nigh 12, be at hand 9, come nigh 8, come near 5, draw near 4, misc 5; 43
B. This nearness has generally been interpreted in two ways:
1. Metaphysically/Spatially:
a) The Messiah and/or God are personally near.
b) The angelic hosts and/or Holy Spirit are near in the second heavens/supernatural.
c) Heaven’s citizens/ambassadors/representatives/messengers are personally near.
2. Temporally/Chronologically:
a) John the Baptist and Jesus were wrong.
b) A spiritual kingdom was set up at Jesus’ Baptism/Triumphal Entry/Last Supper/Cross/Ressurection/Ascension/Pentecost.
c) 2,000 years is considered by God to be “near,” i.e. time is relative to God.
C. The Day of the Lord initiates the establishment of the Kingdom of God, and thus they are inherently interrelated. Because of this, the phraseology of both are somewhat interchangeable in the New Testament.
Heal the sick who are there and tell them, &#8216;The kingdom of God is near you.&#8217;10But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say,11&#8216;Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this:The kingdom of God is near.&#8217;12I tell you, it will be more bearable onthat dayfor Sodom than for that town. (NIVLuke 10:9-12)
And proclaim as you go, saying, &#8216;The kingdom of heaven is at hand.&#8217;8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons…14And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.15Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable onthe day of judgmentfor the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. (ESVMatthew 10:7-15)
For this isthe time of punishmentin fulfillment of all that has been written(cf. the Day of the Lord)…25There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, becauseyour redemption is drawing near…29Look at the fig tree and all the trees.30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know thatsummer is near(“at hand”KJV).31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know thatthe kingdom of God is near(“at hand”KJV). (NIVLuke 21:22-31)
1. The proclamation of the nearness of the Day of the Lord is simply a reiteration of the prophetic declaration already spoken throughout the Scriptures.
Wail, forthe day of the LORD is near(“at hand”KJV/NKJV); as destruction from the Almighty it will come!7Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt.8They will be dismayed: pangs and agony will seize them; they will be in anguish like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at one another; their faces will be aflame.9Behold,the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. (ESVIsaiah 13:6-9)
Consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.15Alas for the day! Forthe day of the LORD is at hand(“near”NASB/ESV/NIV/NRSV); it shall come as destruction from the Almighty. (NKJVJoel 1:14-15)
Blow a trumpet in Zion;sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, forthe day of the LORD is coming; it is near(“at hand”KJV/NKJV/NIV),2a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! (ESVJoel 2:1-2)
Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! Forthe day of the LORD is nearin the valley of decision.15The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.16The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. (ESVJoel 3:14-16)
The great day of the LORD is near&#8212; near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there.15That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness…18In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth. (NIVZephaniah 1:14-18)
2. Jesus and the disciples were simply declaring the word of the Lord already spoken to the prophets. In other words, the apostolic declaration of the nearness of the Kingdom is simply aprophetical reiteration.
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar…the word of Godcame to John son of Zechariah in the desert.3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching abaptism of repentancefor the forgiveness of sins.4As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: &#8220;A voice of one calling in the desert, &#8216;Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him…&#8216;&#8221;7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, &#8220;You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee fromthe coming wrath?…15The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly bethe Christ.16John answered them all, &#8220;I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come…17His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheatinto his barn, but he willburn up the chaffwith unquenchable fire.&#8221;18And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them(cf. repent, the kingdom of God is at hand). (NIVLuke 3:1-18)
<ul>
<li>In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,2&#8220;Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…11I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, butthe chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire(i.e. the Day of the Lord).&#8221; (ESVMatthew 3:1-11)</li>
</ul>
D. The Day of the Lord—and thus the Kingdom of God—are still considered to be “near” after all the events that are typically interpreted as the initiation of the spiritualized Kingdom.
Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; fornow salvation is nearer to usthan when we believed.12The night is almost gone, andthe day is near(“at hand”KJV/NKJV/ESV). Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (NASBRomans 13:11-12)
Let us hold fastthe confession of our hopewithout wavering, for he who promised is faithful.24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you seethe Day drawing near. (ESVHebrews 10:23-25)
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,21who willtransform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.4:1Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved…4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.The Lord is at hand(“near”NASB/NIV/NRSV,“coming soon”NLT). (ESVPhilippians 3:20-4:5)
Be patient, then, brothers,until the Lord&#8217;s coming. See how the farmer(cf. Lord)waits for the land to yield its valuable crop(cf. resurrection of the righteous)and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains(cf. Holy Spirit as means of resurrection).8You too, be patient and stand firm, becausethe Lord&#8217;s coming is near(“at hand”ESV/NKJV). (NIVJames 5:7-8)
But they(pagans)will have to give account to him who isready to judgethe living and the dead(cf. Acts 10:42; 17:31; Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:2; 2 Tim. 4:1; etc.)…7The end of all things is near(“at hand”KJV/NKJV/ESV). Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV1 Peter 4:5-8)
E. Thus, the timing of the Day of the Lord is considered to be “near” because it is in relation to God, and time itself is relative to Him.
First of all, you must understand thatin the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.4They will say, &#8220;Where is this &#8216;coming&#8217; he promised(cf. the Day of the Lord)? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes onas it has since the beginning of creation.&#8221;5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God&#8217;s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed(suddenly).7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept forthe day of judgmentand destruction of ungodly men.8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day(i.e. time is relative to God).9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.10Butthe day of the Lord will come like a thief. (NIV2 Peter 3:3-10)
F. The nearness of the Day of the Lord and the establishment of the Kingdom is at the heart of all New Testament apostolic declaration. Thus, the witness commanded to the apostles (cf. Acts 1:8) essentially remains “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (cf. 2:38; 3:19; 4:10ff; 5:30ff; 7:51ff; 8:12; etc.), thus assuming a temporal/chronological nearness.
He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke aboutthe kingdom of God…6So when they met together, they asked him, &#8220;Lord, are you at this time going torestore the kingdom to Israel?&#8221;7He said to them…8&#8220;you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will bemy witnesses(Gk. martus)in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.&#8221; (NIVActs 1:3-8)
He commanded us to preach to the people andto testify(Gk. diamarturomai)that he is the one whom God appointed asjudge of the living and the dead(i.e. repent). (NIVActs 10:41-42)
Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone aboutpreaching the kingdomwill ever see me again…32Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up andgive you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (NIVActs 20:25-32)
<ul>
<li>Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd…17&#8220;&#8216;In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…20The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming ofthe great and glorious day of the Lord.21And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.&#8217;…36Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus,whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.&#8221;37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, &#8220;Brothers, what shall we do?&#8221;38Peter replied, &#8220;Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ forthe forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NIVActs 2:14-38)</li>
<li>Thereforerepent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing(Gk. anapsuxis)may come from the presence of the Lord;20and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you,21whom heaven must receive untilthe period of restoration of all thingsabout which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time(cf. the Day of the Lord). (NASBActs 3:19-21)</li>
<li>Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone aboutpreaching the kingdomwill ever see me again…32Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up andgive you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (NIVActs 20:25-32)</li>
<li>For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person&#8211; such a man is an idolater&#8211; hasany inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God…8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)10and find out what pleases the Lord. (NIVEphesians 5:5-10)</li>
<li>And we pray thisin order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to sharein the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (NIVColossians 1:9-12)</li>
<li>For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,12encouraging, comforting and urging youto live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (NIV1 Thessalonians 2:10-12)</li>
<li>In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, andin view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage&#8211; with great patience and careful instruction…8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,will award to me on that day&#8211; and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (NIV2 Timothy 4:1-8)</li>
<li>Therefore, since we are receivinga kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,29for our &#8220;God is a consuming fire.&#8221;(cf. Deut. 4:24)(NIVHebrews 12:25-29)</li>
<li>Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent tomake your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.11For in this way there will be richly provided for youan entrance into the eternal kingdomof our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (ESV2 Peter 1:3-12)</li>
</ul>
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SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES: THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND

Biblical Praxis of Mission

Disciples are called to loyalty and allegiance to one King—Jesus—and one Kingdom—the eschatological Messianic Kingdom.

1a – Worship In Light Of The Coming Kingdom

1b – Worship In Light Of The Coming Kingdom

After worship, the secondary role of the Church is to honor the King whom we serve through our lifestyle and prepare for our inheritance in his kingdom.

2a – Discipleship In Light Of The Coming Kingdom

2b – Discipleship In Light Of The Coming Kingdom

The Church’s witness of the Kingdom is not merely by word, but also by deed.

3a – Evangelism In Light Of The Coming Kingdom

The Church’s witness of the Kingdom is not merely by word, but also by deed. 

3b – Evangelism In Light Of The Coming Kingdom

During this session Lee shares his testimony of how “Kingdom Now” theology can affect the heart...

4a – Lee’s Testimony

To persevere in their mission, the accesses grace and the Spirit's power through prayer. 

4b – Prayer As The Means Of Grace For Faithful Sojourning

Watchful prayer requires a “watchful lifestyle,” outlined in the Sermon on the Mount.

5a – Sustaining Prayer Through A Watchful Lifestyle

Watchful prayer requires a “watchful lifestyle” outlined in the Sermon on the Mount.

5b – Sustaining Prayer Through A Watchful Lifestyle

Trials and tribulations have a two-fold purpose: 1) the humiliation of humanity unto repentance and...

6 – Sustaining Prayer Through Trials And Tribulations

Activity of the Holy Spirit in this age, before the resurrection, is given by God as gift to...

7a – Sustaining Prayer Through Powers Of The Age To Come

7b – Sustaining Prayer Through Powers Of The Age To Come

The whole ministry of the Holy Spirit, including the gifts distributed to men for the building up...

8a – Sustaining Prayer Through The Five-Fold Ministry

8b – Sustaining Prayer Through The Five-Fold Ministry

There are many forms, beliefs and opinions around how the Church should function. This teaching...

9a – Sustaining Prayer Through A House Church Form

9b – Sustaining Prayer Through A House Church Form

As the human body is designed for intimacy unto fruitfulness, so also is the Body of Christ designed...

10a – The Apostolic Multiplication Of The Church

10b – The Apostolic Multiplication Of The Church

The gospel of the kingdom is inherently “Israelocentric”. Therefore, the ministry of the church...

11a – The Israelocentric Missiology Of The Church

11b – The Israelocentric Missiology Of The Church

This amnestic witness is most perfectly expressed in martyrdom, which the church must embrace...

12a – The Messianic Allegiance Of The Church Unto  Martyrdom

12b – The Messianic Allegiance Of The Church Unto  Martyrdom

All prayer is not equal. Church history is littered with monastic movements that pray much, yet live in great sin and wickedness. God will not be mocked; He knows truth in the inward parts and demands righteousness. Thus, to accomplish its mission and purpose the Church must order itself around righteous prayer, i.e. prayer in the context of true repentance and faith. This biblical prayer could also be described as “watchful prayer” or “prayer with faith”. The primary way to maintain watchful prayer is a “watchful lifestyle.