THE RULE OF CHRIST

The unifying theme of the Old Testament (birth and history of Israel) and the New Testament (birth and history of the Church) is the biblical narrative of the coming Kingdom of God. So, the Bible should not be thought of as 66 random or isolated books with a conglomerate of stories, but as one book with a singular narrative that points to the rule of Christ.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (KJV) 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

The hope of the coming Kingdom includes the redemption of the body (1 Corinthians 15:53-55), the removal of the curse (Revelation 22:3), the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21) and physically reigning with Jesus Christ when He returns (Revelation 22:5). Both Old and New Testaments are inseparably linked by the doctrine of God’s rule pointing to the first advent of Christ starting His Church and culminating in the second advent of Christ when “the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He will reign forever” (Revelation 11:15). 

In short, the kingdom of Israel is not the Kingdom of God and neither is the visible church the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God (or Kingdom of Christ) is not a human government, race or religious group, but rather is made up of a people who have by faith been forgiven of their sins and purchased by the blood of Jesus and are awaiting His return. Christ, therefore, is the fulfillment of Israel’s and the Church’s hopes. The unity of Scripture is in Christ and for Christ (Colossians 1:16).