32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.’
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Acts 2:32-36 (ESV)
Contrary to the popular theology of today, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is already seated in glory, ruling and reigning from the heavenly throne at the right hand of God. This is in stark contrast to the idea of returning to an earthly golden age to come, where Christ is somehow expected to once again forsake His heavenly throne, to descend to an earthly throne made by the hands of men. Not only so, but this earthly future reign will once again come to an end with a future sinful rebellion too.
In the Old Testament types and shadows, it was necessary for God to establish an earthly kingship because of the sinful rebellion of the Jews. Yet it was clearly pointed out that it was His Kingship they were rejecting by accepting an earthly king to rule over them:
6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
1 Sam 8:6-7 (ESV)
When king Solomon began to build the temple, it was clear to him that it was only ever a means of earthly men making sacrifices unto God, and could never be the true temple of God Almighty Himself.
5 The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. 6 But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?
2 Chron 2:5-6 (ESV)
What is more, even the throne on which David and Solomon sat, could never be more than an earthly representation of the heavenly Throne of God Himself. When Solomon was visited by the queen of Sheba, it was recognised that the throne belonged to none other than God Himself.
8 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”
2 Chron 9:8 (ESV)
If we allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, we realise that the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament were often seen in a different perspective than history bore out. In other words, the prophet of God would often see as one vision, events that were often separated by large portions of time. This is one of the main reasons why the Jews rejected the Messiah they had so eagerly expected would emerge at that time. For He did not fulfill their expectations of an immediate glorious restoration of their earthly nation.
As we look back at the Old Testament prophecies through the lens of the New Testament revelation given to the apostles by God, we can begin to more clearly discern the reality of those prophecies. What we actually find, and what I sincerely believe, is that the Old Testament prophecies point to the coming of the Messiah when He came to earth in Jesus Christ. He fulfilled all the requirements of the Law, and also all the requirements of Old Testament prophecy concerning the lineage of the flesh. In effect, the Old Testament Scriptures became the evidence to the Jews to the true identity of Jesus, and was verified and confirmed through His miraculous works.
What we begin to realise from the New Testament perspective however, is that at that time Christ did not come to bring a final consumation, but to reveal a mystery that had been concealed in the Old Testament Scriptures. That mystery was that not only did He intend to save the earthly nation of the Jews, but that He had ushered in a time of grace when the commonwealth of Israel would be thrown open to draw in the Gentiles too.
4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Eph 3:4-6 (ESV)
This is not “replacement theology” as is the incorrect accusation of some, but it is if anything “extension theology”, whereby the nation of Israel is extended to include men from all nations, by faith through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What we are left with then, is what is referred to in the New Testament in such ways as “this age, and the age to come“. This age being that where the Messiah of the Old Testament has revealed Himself in history, and announced His covenant to His elect. And the age to come being that which we await together, both Jew and Gentile as one body, which is the consumation that will take place when Christ returns.
Christ Himself is not a spirit waiting for a future kingdom, but is right now alive, just as He ever will be. He is seated physically at the right hand of God, in His glorified Body, where He is forever Prophet, Priest and King. From His ascension into eternity, His reign will know no end, in accordance to the promise God made to David (2 Sam 7:12-13). And just as in this age we have a King who is already seated on His Throne, we also have the promise of the land we shall inherit too.
10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more.[i]
2 Sam 7:10 (ESV)
It is my strongest opinion that far from being two, both Jew and Gentile are formed into one body in Christ, and have entered as one into the betrothal made by Christ at His first appearing. He is right now reigning from Heaven where He ever will, and at His appointed time He shall return to take all who are sealed with His Spirit, where the consumation of will take place, and the Bride of Christ will finally be with Her Beloved for all eternity.
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