The Kingdom and the "Already/Not Yet"
To review, the kingdom (basileia) of God is at the same time the ruler, the realm and the reign of Christ – as He fulfills His promise to Israel and subjugates His enemies. The ruler is Jesus Christ, the Eternal-Anointed-Servant-King who commences a “reinstatement of the originally intended divine order for the earth, with man properly situated as God’s vice-regent”[1]. The realm is Christ’s cosmic, visible new creation jurisdiction, whereas the reign is His personal, spiritual rule over individuals who have become born-again citizens through childlike repentance and faith. Jesus, the son of Abraham and son of David, Israel’s King, came as the Anointed One with the authority to restore creation as Isaiah predicted and initiate His loving jurisdiction.
Coronavirus and the Christian
As Christ-followers, we have a unique opportunity in the next few weeks and months to have Gospel conversations and to stand set apart from our neighbors as those whose faith is tested, tried, proven, and is at rest in the finished work of Christ. We don't fear death--we don't fear the loss of our assets--we don't fear what man or viruses can do to us.