The Righteous Reign of God

Scientific discoveries continue to reveal the nature, expanse, and power of our universe. As a result, many believers are left struggling to understand the relationship that God has with his creation. The expanse of creation gives us a hint at the power and expanse of its Creator.

One way that Scripture describes the relationship between God and his creation is in terms of the relationship between a king and his kingdom. God is king! And the entire created order is under his rule. This quarter will explore the themes of God’s rule, his kingdom, and the response of his people as revealed in the Old Testament prophets, the teachings of Jesus, and the letters of the apostle Paul.

A Kingdom of Peace

The prophet Isaiah’s articulation of God as king began with his vision of the Lord on his heavenly throne (Isaiah 6:1–5). From that throne, the Lord would establish an eternal kingdom of justice (9:7). Isaiah’s message reached a high point when he envisioned a messenger who proclaimed the good news: “Your God reigns!” (52:7, lesson 1).

Isaiah further described the kingdom as a time in the future when the Lord would establish his rule over a new heavens and a new earth. His rule will be a place where sorrow and need are no more and where harmony will be found in all places of the kingdom. The king’s power will be on display in his kingdom, a place of peace where “the wolf and the lamb will feed together” (Isaiah 65:25, lesson 2).

The Kingdom Is Like …

Central to Jesus’ teaching was the proclamation that the kingdom of God had arrived (example: Mark 1:14–15). This kingdom is God’s rule on earth. Jesus’ power to deliver people from affliction signaled that God’s kingdom had arrived (Matthew 12:28, lesson 6).

Jesus frequently taught by using parables, especially regarding the kingdom of God. He compared the kingdom to seed that produced crops, a treasure hidden in a field, a merchant looking for pearls, and a net cast into the sea. These parables revealed the urgency of the kingdom (Matthew 13:1–9, 18–23; lesson 7), the promised judgment in the kingdom (13:40–43, 49–52; lessons 8 and 9), and the ultimate value of the kingdom (13:44–48, lesson 9).

Kingdom Living

The teachings of the apostle Paul reveal the kingdom-living behavior required for believers. Such behavior is summarized in the command to love others and live a life filled with certain spiritual “fruit” (Galatians 5:13–26, lesson 10). Rather than tearing others down, living in light of God’s kingdom calls believers to build up other believers (Romans 14:19, lesson 11).

    God is king! And the entire created order is under his rule.

Paul’s letter to believers in Corinth reveals his deep concern regarding the seriousness of the kingdom. The Corinthians were reminded that the Lord, the king, would be the final judge regarding their behavior (1 Corinthians 4:5, lesson 12). Arrogance would have no place in God’s kingdom (4:18–20).

Finally, Paul taught that the future bodily resurrection of believers would usher in the fulfillment of God’s kingdom plans. At the return of Christ to earth and the moment of the promised resurrection of believers, Jesus will hand over the kingdom to God the Father (1 Corinthians 15:23–24, lesson 13). God’s kingdom will reign in totality, without opposition (see 15:25–28). Only the Lord God who is omnipotent will reign and citizens of his kingdom will joyfully enter into his presence in worship.

Krause, Mark S. 2023. “Quarter at a Glance.” In The NIV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2022–2023, edited by Jane Ann Kenney, Ronald L. Nickelson, and Taylor Z. Stamps, 29:339. The NIV Standard Lesson Commentary. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing.