The kingdom of God is not explained anywhere in the New Testament, yet it seems to be everywhere understood. No explanation was ever needed, and so none was given. In The Future Kingdom of God: A Present Reality and Our Blessed Hope, author Father Steven Scherrer presents an in-depth study of the kingdom of God as it appears in the scriptures.

Based on an edited collection of original sermons and essays revolving around the New Testament doctrine of the kingdom of God, this thorough discussion provides a guide for those seeking insight into various aspects about the second coming of Jesus Christ. Some of the topics on which the essays reflect include

• the splendor of the kingdom of God now present, as seen in the Church's Advent and Christmas liturgies;
• the millennial hope as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy;
• the enchanted expectation of the Parousia, as seen in the Church's autumn liturgies;
• the longing to be found innocent in holiness at the coming of the Lord.

Using the scriptures and examples from the Bible, The Future Kingdom of God demonstrates how Christians can, by faith, now live in the splendor of God's kingdom present in their midst.

Excerpt. � Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Future Kingdom of God

A Present Reality and Our Blessed HopeBy STEVEN SCHERRER

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright � 2010 Fr. Steven Scherrer, ThD
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4502-6837-0

Preface.................................................................................................................................ixIntroduction............................................................................................................................1The Present and Future Kingdom of God...................................................................................................1The Suffering and Glorious Messiah......................................................................................................8Part 1: The Future Kingdom: A Present Reality...........................................................................................9A. The Presence of the Kingdom Now in the Advent-Christmas Mystery......................................................................11Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men....................................................................................................13The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness, Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord...............................................................17Thy Kingdom Come........................................................................................................................20Peace on Earth..........................................................................................................................22A Kingdom of Splendor and Light.........................................................................................................25Days of Splendor Have Arrived...........................................................................................................27How Ought We to then Live?..............................................................................................................32Entering the Kingdom Violently..........................................................................................................35For Now He Shall Be Great unto the Ends of the Earth....................................................................................37Then Wine Shall Be as Abundant as Water.................................................................................................40The Righteous Branch Brings Justice to the Earth........................................................................................42Basking in His Splendor along the Narrow Way............................................................................................44Today You Shall Know that the Lord Is Coming, and in the Morning You Shall See His Glory................................................47The Peace of the Holy Family............................................................................................................50Today a New Light Shines Upon Us........................................................................................................53His Glory Will Be Seen upon You.........................................................................................................55Part 2: The Future Kingdom: Our Blessed Hope............................................................................................59B. The Coming Kingdom of Righteousness on Earth: Basic Principles.......................................................................61The Millennial Earth....................................................................................................................63Who Will Enter the Millennial Kingdom?..................................................................................................69Where Will the Tribulation Martyrs Go?..................................................................................................73What Will Happen during the Tribulation?................................................................................................75C. The Coming Kingdom of Righteousness on Earth: Further Reflections....................................................................81The Millennium and the New Earth........................................................................................................83The Millennial Temple...................................................................................................................85And David Shall Rule over Them as Their Prince..........................................................................................89Christ's Kingdom of Righteousness on Earth..............................................................................................91The Powers of the Heavens Will Be Shaken................................................................................................96The Nearness of the Coming of the Lord..................................................................................................99The Great Tribulation and the New Jerusalem.............................................................................................101D. The Radiance of the Heavenly Jerusalem Shining through the Murk of This Present World in the Liturgies of Autumn.....................105A Shining Light in the Murky Mist.......................................................................................................107Witnesses to the Light in the Murk of This World........................................................................................109Vigilant Living for the Lord's Coming...................................................................................................112Beacons Shining through the Murky Fog...................................................................................................114The New Jerusalem, City of Gold and Light...............................................................................................117The Heavenly Jerusalem, the City of Our Spirit..........................................................................................119E. Longing for the Parousia in the Liturgies of Autumn and Advent.......................................................................121The Parousia, in the Church's Harvest Season............................................................................................123Let Your Lamps Be Burning...............................................................................................................128Be Prepared for the Parousia of the Son of Man..........................................................................................130Take Heed, Watch, and Pray..............................................................................................................132The Last Trumpet........................................................................................................................134Be Unstained and Free from Reproach.....................................................................................................136The Mountains Shall Drip Sweet Wine.....................................................................................................138Be Prepared for the Final Trumpet.......................................................................................................140The Hills Shall Flow with Milk..........................................................................................................142How to Await the Coming of the Lord.....................................................................................................144Awaiting the Coming of the Son of Man Transforms Our Life in the Present................................................................146Awaiting the Lord's Coming in Quiet Moderation 1........................................................................................49Following John the Baptist in the Desert................................................................................................151Living in the Spell of Our Future Hope..................................................................................................153Be Blameless in Holiness for the Day of the Lord........................................................................................155Aliens and Exiles on Earth..............................................................................................................157Bibliography............................................................................................................................161

Chapter One

Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men

May Christ "establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints" (1 Thess. 3:13).

Advent is a time for meditating on the prophecies of the Old Testament to see the hope of Israel for the messianic days, in which there will be peace on earth, a heavenly peace not of this world, not of this age. We live in this heavenly peace now, brought into the world by the birth of Christ. Yet during Advent, we still long for the ultimate consummation of these prophecies. This is why we prepare now with eager expectation for the Parousia of our Lord; for in his coming, with power and great glory on the clouds of heaven accompanied by all his holy ones in great light, all the prophecies will be fulfilled in their most manifest form. Then there will be only day (Zech. 14:7) and a new heavens and a new earth (Rev. 21-22), and we will be transformed, with the peace of heaven in our hearts.

During Advent, we also prepare ourselves for the joyful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior. In him, the prophecies are fulfilled; and in him, heavenly peace comes down to earth to renew our hearts, making us new creatures, new men, filled with the Holy Spirit and the joy of the Lord. In the birth of Christ, the salvation prophesied was realized, and the kingdom of God began on earth. Those who believe in him are born anew and now live in the kingdom that Christ brought into the world at his birth. The Advent and Christmas seasons renew us, for the kingdom of God is with us now, transforming our world. Christmas and the coming of Jesus into the world is when the dream of peace and salvation, seen by the prophets, is realized on earth for our transformation and illumination. What was prophesied for the end of the age came to be in Jesus Christ in the middle of the age. No one ever expected what actually happened—that the kingdom of God would come in the middle of history. This fulfillment is with us still, renewing us and gladdening our hearts in the joy of the Lord.

Yet we are still preparing ourselves for Christ's glorious Parousia, walking in his light, living according to his will, and proclaiming the good news of his salvation to all we can reach by both word and the testimony of our lives. We live a renewed life in him, and this illuminates not only ourselves but all who know us. We are thus his witnesses in the world as we await his final coming.

By preparing ourselves for his second coming, we will be living as Jesus wants us to live in this present time of fulfillment. We are now in the final days. We are living in the messianic times. In Jesus Christ, we have heavenly peace; and we should give glory to God in the highest and live with good will toward all.

Jeremiah prophesies that the days are coming when the Lord will raise up a righteous branch from the root of David and will bring salvation to Jerusalem. "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring forth for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land" (Jer. 33:14-15). Jesus Christ is that righteous branch. He is with us now, filling us with grace and heavenly peace.

The prophets foretold that a new Davidic king will come, "and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called `Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace'" (Isa. 9:6,7). This is the kingdom that we now live in. It has come in Jesus. Peace on earth, the dream of mankind, the promise of the prophets, has at last come upon the earth in the birth of the Savior. He is the longed-for righteous branch of David, the new David that shall "execute justice and righteousness in the land" (Jer. 33:15).

Christmas is the time when we celebrate the fact that these prophecies of a new golden age of peace and righteousness on earth have been fulfilled in Christ the Lord. God promised David, saying, "Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever" (2 Sam. 7:16). About this messianic age, Isaiah prophesied, saying, "In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel" (Isa. 4:2). Jesus Christ is that branch. Those who are born again in him are its fruit. He forgives our sins and removes our guilt. He puts joy into our hearts and light into our minds. In him, there is new life for us, divine life, God's own life, and God reigns gloriously over us.

The old world nonetheless goes on, oblivious to all this, but those that live now in this kingdom of heavenly peace rejoice in the Lord. They are in the light while the rest are in darkness, sorrow, guilt, and confusion—just as only the Israelites had light, while darkness covered the land of Egypt.

He is our peace, and he is great, even unto the ends of the earth, as Micah prophesied. "And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. And this man shall be the peace" (Mic. 5:4-5 KJV). This man is now indeed great unto the ends of the earth. His presence can be felt everywhere. We are in him, and he is in us, and he gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit from the Father, the gift of heavenly peace. It is this gift that has inaugurated the messianic age in which we now live.

We who live in this kingdom of heavenly peace, forgiveness, and salvation bless the earth simply by our presence in it. We renew it. In us, the kingdom has come into the world in a spiritual and inner way, renewing the hearts of all that accept it.

We rejoice in the kingdom of God now present among us, within us, renewing us, extending in the world the universal reign of peace and the righteousness of Jesus Christ, a kingdom of salvation, forgiveness, and new life, a new golden age interiorly at work transforming the hearts and lives of all who believe. This joyous fulfillment of prophecy is the basis of our hope and longing for the extension of that kingdom throughout the world so that there will be no end to peace, justice, and righteousness. We long during Advent for this manifest reign of righteousness and peace on earth that only the Son of God can bring. We live for this dream and promise of the prophets, as we live in it even now and work and pray for its ever greater realization in the world.

We live in the dawn of the new age that the kingdom has brought into the world. Its radiance shines in our hearts. The sun of righteousness has risen upon us (Mal. 4:2), for unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). In him is our peace (Mic. 5:5), a peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27).

The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness, Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

"Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low" (Luke 3:5).

John the Baptist was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah. He was a voice crying in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God" (Luke 3:4-6).

The time of fulfillment has finally arrived, and the salvation of God is about to appear. John, therefore, has gone into the desert to prepare the way of the Lord, to call the nation to repentance for the forgiveness of their sins so that they might be ready to receive their Messiah and Savior when he comes. All must be ready. The way of the Lord has to be made straight. The mountains must be brought low, and the valleys filled in. All must be made ready. It is a new way of salvation for God's people and for all flesh, for "all flesh shall see the salvation of God" (Luke 3:6).

The time of salvation has come. The prophecies are about to be fulfilled. This is the message of John the Baptist. The new age of salvation is about to begin, and the kingdom of God will come. The time of its coming has finally arrived.

And where does John go to prepare for this? He goes to the desert, far from the distraction, noise, music, entertainments, diversions, and conversations of the world; far from its pride, its way of dressing, its feasts and fads, its news, its banquets and delicacies, its dances, its interesting cultural events and activities, and its temptations. He chose to live in solitude and silence with God, in purity, detached and divested of all that divides the heart from a pure and undivided love of God alone. He wanted to prepare his heart and the hearts of all God's people that they might be undivided, reserved for the Lord alone. And in what better place could he live in order to do this than the desert? There he could purify himself and the people for the Lord's coming.

He went into the desert to be one of the blessed poor of the Lord, for the kingdom of God is theirs (Luke 6:20). In this, John is our model during Advent. In the desert, our way can be made straight, leveled, made smooth, filled in, lowered, and lifted up so that all becomes a plain. We too can live this way—namely for the Lord alone with all the love of our hearts, detached from all else, from all that can divide the heart. Living in this way, we can reserve our hearts for the Lord alone in every aspect of our lives and thus experience the joy of his coming into ourselves and into our world.

The kingdom of God came into the world in Jesus Christ, and those that are prepared—those that prepare in the desert the way of the Lord—enjoy its happiness and light. The great secret of God is that the reign of God came into the world in a hidden way at the birth of Christ, and that all who believe in him can live in this glorious kingdom now, enjoying its heavenly peace and blessings.

To experience this joy, we have to go with John into the desert and live there, detached from the world, from all its pleasures.

And how are we to live in the desert? We should live there in eager expectation for the complete consummation of the kingdom of God when Christ will come again in all his glory on the clouds of heaven. This is why we hope and prepare ourselves for the Parousia during Advent, knowing that he who began a good work in us "will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). We should live in the present fulfillment of prophecy, hoping and preparing ourselves for its final consummation so that we might be "pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness" (Phil. 1:10-11). We should live as if we were in a desert, detached and divested of the things of the world so that our hearts might be "unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints" (1 Thess. 3:13).

Thus we will be able to live in the joy of the forgiveness of our sins and in the heavenly peace of the kingdom of God, preparing the way of the Lord in our hearts and in our world so that all might be ready when our Lord comes again in his glory on the clouds of heaven with all his holy ones in great light.

Thy Kingdom Come

"In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel" (Isa. 29:18, 19).

This is a messianic prophecy. With the coming of the Messiah into the world, we live in the time of the fulfillment of this prophecy. Those who believe in Jesus Christ and are born again in him live in this happiness of God that is present in their hearts and in the world, transforming all things—if only they can continually obey him and keep from falling into sin and imperfections. Yet even if they do fall into imperfections and experience God's discipline (Heb. 12:5-11) and wrath (Ps. 85:4-5; Rom. 1:18), they are saved from it by Christ vicariously suffering their punishment for them on the cross. They live therefore in the kingdom that has already come. This kingdom, present in Christ, is the source of all human happiness. This is the true happiness of spirit, which God alone can give us, and he gives it through his Son made man incarnate in the world to transform the world and bring it heavenly peace. Those who live in him have their sins forgiven and the pain of their guilt removed. They live in the splendor of his kingdom here on earth in the midst of this old world with all its problems. In the kingdom of God, the meek and the poorest "shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord and ... shall exult in the Holy one of Israel" (Isa. 29:19). This prophecy is fulfilled in those who believe.

Yet we also hope for the future. It is our joy, especially during Advent, to prepare ourselves for this beautiful future when we shall see Jesus Christ, surrounded by light, coming in glory with the clouds of heaven, accompanied by all his holy ones (1 Thess. 3:13). We live now in this shining vision in the midst of the murky gloom of this present life. We see Christ now by faith and in the joy of our hearts; but he is still veiled from our eyes because his kingdom has not yet been consummated in glory. We therefore still live in hope. But it is a joyful hope, full of activity and preparation. Every day, regardless of how we feel, we continue to prepare ourselves ever more for the coming of his kingdom in its fullness upon the earth—a universal kingdom of heavenly peace (Dan. 2:35, 44; Isa. 9:7; Luke 1:32-33).

We try to avoid sin and disobeying God in order not to lose his peace. We help our neighbor, using the gifts that God has given us for this purpose, and we dedicate ourselves completely to the Lord in all that we do. This is our joyful preparation for the coming of the Lord for the transformation of the earth. We hope with eager expectation for the day when the Lord will come "from heaven in splendor to visit his people and bring them peace and eternal life" (entrance antiphon for Fridays of Advent). When he comes in splendor, he will fill us with his own splendor in the joy of our hearts. We long for that great day of splendor and light, the fullness of heavenly peace. We live by faith, hoping for that great day, and it is our joy to prepare ourselves for it now. We do so by faith and obedience to God's will, divesting ourselves of all else to live for him alone in this world with all our heart, with a heart that is undivided in its love for him.

Peace on Earth

In the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, we have seen something new. It has brought to fulfillment the great dream of Judaism and the Old Testament prophets. It is a universal reign of heavenly peace over all the earth. Indeed, "all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God" (Ps. 98:3 KJV). The poor and meek of the earth shall find justice and righteousness, joy, and heavenly peace, for "with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth" (Isa. 11:4). He shall in fact be clothed with righteousness. "Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins" (Isa. 11:5).

This is the new era that God has initiated on earth in the coming of Jesus Christ. The earth is renewed. All nature is refreshed, for now the sun of righteousness makes his abode among us (Mal. 4:2). There will be no limit to the peace that he brings (Isa. 9:7), for he renews the hearts of all who receive him. He is the light itself, the light of the universe (John 1:4-5, 9), and he fills the darkness with his splendor (John 1:5; 8:12) so that we can become light in him (Eph. 5:8), refreshed and renewed by him. "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore" (Isa. 11:7).

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Future Kingdom of Godby STEVEN SCHERRER Copyright � 2010 by Fr. Steven Scherrer, ThD. Excerpted by permission of iUniverse, Inc.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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