Bible Study Guides – The Time of Trouble, Part 11 – The Two Kingdoms

July 17, 2005 – July 23, 2005

Memory Verse

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.” Matthew 25:31.

Suggested Reading: The Great Controversy, 343–348; Patriarchs and Prophets, 33, 34, 63–65.

Introduction

The next two lessons will cover just one sentence from The Great Controversy, 614. It reads: “The number of His subjects is made up; ‘the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,’ [Daniel 7:27] is about to be given to the heirs of salvation, and Jesus is to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. [Revelation 19:16.]” In this lesson, we will consider two kingdoms referred to in God’s Word, the time period for each, their purposes, and their relationship to each other. The subject of the next lesson will be the restoration of the kingdom of glory.

The importance of understanding the relationship of these two kingdoms and what they represent is revealed in the following quotation. “In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them.” The Great Controversy, 593.

1 In Scripture, the expression “kingdom of God” is employed to designate two kingdoms. What are they? Luke 13:18–20, 29; Matthew 25:31; Hebrews 4:16.

note: “As used in the Bible, the expression ‘kingdom of God’ is employed to designate both the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory. The kingdom of grace is brought to view by Paul in the Epistle to the Hebrews. After pointing to Christ, the compassionate intercessor who is ‘touched with the feeling of our infirmities,’ the apostle says: ‘Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace.’ Hebrews 4:15, 16. The throne of grace represents the kingdom of grace; for the existence of a throne implies the existence of a kingdom.” The Great Controversy, 347. [Emphasis in original.]

2 In His parables, Christ often spoke of another kingdom—“the kingdom of heaven.” What is the meaning of this expression? Matthew 11:12; 13:31–33.

note: “In many of His parables Christ uses the expression ‘the kingdom of heaven’ to designate the work of divine grace upon the hearts of men.” The Great Controversy, 347.

3 When did the kingdom of glory begin? John 17:5; Psalms 10:16; 11:4; 47:8; 89:14; Isaiah 6:1–3.

note: “That the Maker of all worlds, the Arbiter of all destinies, should lay aside His glory and humiliate Himself from love to man will ever excite the wonder and adoration of the universe. As the nations of the saved look upon their Redeemer and behold the eternal glory of the Father shining in His countenance; as they behold His throne, which is from everlasting to everlasting, and know that His kingdom is to have no end, they break forth in rapturous song . . . .” The Great Controversy, 651.

4 What interrupted the peace and harmony of the kingdom of glory? Ezekiel 28:15, 16; Revelation 12:7–9, first part; Genesis 3:6, 7.

note: “The spirit of discontent and disaffection had never before been known in heaven. It was a new element, strange, mysterious, unaccountable.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 39.

“No longer free to stir up rebellion in heaven, Satan’s enmity against God found a new field in plotting the ruin of the human race. In the happiness and peace of the holy pair in Eden he beheld a vision of the bliss that to him was forever lost.” Ibid., 52.

“After his transgression Adam at first imagined himself entering upon a higher state of existence. But soon the thought of his sin filled him with terror. . . . The love and peace which had been theirs was gone, and in its place they felt a sense of sin, a dread of the future, a nakedness of soul.” Ibid., 57.

5 List four things that reveal the price heaven paid to fight the war or rebellion (sin) against the Law of God. John 3:16; Revelation 12:4.

note: “God permitted Satan to carry forward his work until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt. . . . God’s government included not only the inhabitants of heaven, but of all the worlds that He had created; and Lucifer had concluded that if he could carry the angels of heaven with him in rebellion, he could carry also all the worlds.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 41.

“As the anointed cherub, Lucifer had been highly exalted; he was greatly loved by the heavenly beings, and his influence over them was strong. Many of them listened to his suggestions and believed his words. ‘And there was war in heaven; Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought, and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.’ ” Manuscript Releases, vol. 4, 85.

“Satan in his rebellion took a third part of the angels. They turned from the Father and from His Son, and united with the instigator of rebellion.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 115.

“In stooping to take upon Himself humanity, Christ revealed a character the opposite of the character of Satan. But He stepped still lower in the path of humiliation. ‘Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ Philippians 2:8. As the high priest laid aside his gorgeous pontifical robes, and officiated in the white linen dress of the common priest, so Christ took the form of a servant, and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.’ Isaiah 53:5.” The Desire of Ages, 25.

“The plan by which alone man’s salvation could be secured, involved all heaven in its infinite sacrifice. The angels could not rejoice as Christ opened before them the plan of redemption, for they saw that man’s salvation must cost their loved Commander unutterable woe.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 64.

“Before the Father He [Christ] pleaded in the sinner’s behalf, . . . yet it was a struggle, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to die for the guilty race.” Ibid., 63.

6 When was the kingdom of grace instituted? Genesis 3:15; 4:3, 4. See Patriarchs and Prophets, 71.

note: “The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race. It then existed in the purpose and by the promise of God; and through faith, men could become its subjects.” The Great Controversy, 347.

“Christ would take upon Himself the guilt and shame of sin—sin so offensive to a holy God that it must separate the Father and His Son. Christ would reach to the depths of misery to rescue the ruined race.

“Before the Father He pleaded in the sinner’s behalf, while the host of heaven awaited the result with an intensity of interest that words cannot express. Long continued was that mysterious communing—‘the counsel of peace’ (Zechariah 6:13) for the fallen sons of men. The plan of salvation had been laid before the creation of the earth; for Christ is ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ (Revelation 13:8); yet it was a struggle, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to die for the guilty race. But ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ John 3:16.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 63.

7 When was the kingdom of grace established (ratified)? Matthew 27:50, 51; John 19:30.

note: “Yet it [the kingdom of grace] was not actually established until the death of Christ. Even after entering upon His earthly mission, the Saviour, wearied with the stubbornness and ingratitude of men, might have drawn back from the sacrifice of Calvary. In Gethsemane the cup of woe trembled in His hand. He might even then have wiped the blood-sweat from His brow and have left the guilty race to perish in their iniquity. Had He done this, there could have been no redemption for fallen men. But when the Saviour yielded up His life, and with His expiring breath cried out, ‘It is finished,’ then the fulfillment of the plan of redemption was assured. The promise of salvation made to the sinful pair in Eden was ratified. The kingdom of grace, which had before existed by the promise of God, was then established.” The Great Controversy, 347, 348.

8 How long will the kingdom of grace be in existence? Revelation 22:11.

note: “When He leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. . . . The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. God’s long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked one.” The Great Controversy, 614.

9 When will the kingdom of glory be reinstated? Matthew 25:31, 32.

note: “He ‘shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne.’ Not now ‘upon the throne of His glory;’ the kingdom of glory has not yet been ushered in. Not until His work as a mediator shall be ended will God ‘give unto Him the throne of His father David,’ a kingdom of which ‘there shall be no end.’ Luke 1:32, 33.” The Great Controversy, 416.

“So the throne of glory represents the kingdom of glory; and this kingdom is referred to in the Saviour’s words: ‘When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations.’ Matthew 25:31, 32. This kingdom is yet future. It is not to be set up until the second advent of Christ.” Ibid., 347.