Biblical Theology — 5

Posted by on Aug 6, 2014 in Community Group | 0 comments

Biblical Theology — 5 The Prophesied Kingdom   Review Last week we learned that at the end of 1 Kings 11, a partial fulfillment of the Kingdom of God (God’s people, in God’s place, under God’s rule, and enjoying God’s blessing) had been achieved. We saw: God’s people — The Israelites Live in God’s place — The promised land (Canaan) Under God’s rule — The Law; A King Enjoying God’s blessing — Safety and a Blessing to All Nations For purposes of our study of biblical theology (study of the unity of the message of the Bible), we have called this epoch (or age) — The Partial Kingdom.   1 Kings 12 – 2 Kings 25 Soon after Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, comes to the throne, the ten northern and eastern tribes rebel against him and set up their own kingdom under Jeroboam. Israel had been united for 120 years under Saul, David, and Solomon, but now it is divided. The northern kingdom is called Israel. The southern kingdom is called Judah. A few highlights are worthy of being mentioned in these chapters in the Bible:   The Northern Kingdom Virtually all of the northern kings are compared to Jeroboam or Ahab. Jeroboam is synonymous with syncretism. Syncretism is the blending of truth and error. It is the watering down of true religion. It is the introduction of heresy into the body. Ahab is synonymous with paganism. Paganism is the outright denial of all truth and the worship of false Gods. The end comes in 722 B.C. The Assyrians attack Samaria and destroy it. The ten northern tribes will never have a separate existence again.   2.   The Southern Kingdom The southern kingdom fares no better. Even though the temple is in their midst, they turn to other gods. There are periods when they are more obedient to God but the change is insufficient and only temporary. The end comes in 586 B.C. when the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the temple and many are taken to Babylon (the exile).   The Fulfillment of God’s Promise The dismantling of the partial kingdom was in fulfillment of God’s promise. God had warned them before they entered the promised...

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