The Coming Kingdom: Part 2

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first (Matthew 19:27-30).

In response to Peter’s statement and question, Jesus answered, Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory . . . . The word translated ‘regeneration’ is a rare word in the New Testament, found only here and Titus 3:5. Literally it means ‘new birth’. While the Apostle Paul used ‘new birth’ in reference to being born into the Kingdom of God via salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5), Jesus used the word to speak of the restoration of the earth following its near complete destruction during the Great Tribulation. This is made clear by His statement, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory. That refers to the 2nd coming of Christ that ends the Great Tribulation.

In that earthly Kingdom of Christ, He will reign over all the earth from His throne in Jerusalem. At that time the earth will be ‘regenerated’, it will undergo a new birth or full restoration. What will it be like? The entire earth will be like it was when God first created it; it will be a virtual Garden of Eden. Throughout Scripture we are given glimpses of this Kingdom when Jesus brings it to earth (see Isaiah 2:2-4; 11; 65:17-25; Jeremiah 3:17; 23:5-6; Daniel 2:44; 4:34-35; 7:14; Micah 4:1-3; Revelation 19:11 - 20:6 just to mention a few).

Not only is man reborn when coming to Jesus Christ in faith (2 Corinthians 5:17), but the earth will also be reborn when Jesus Christ comes again to reign in His Kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:1-15). However, the ‘rebirth’ of the earth will not be complete; it will not be perfected at that time. Just as we have been given spiritual life and a new nature in Jesus Christ, yet we have not, nor will we attain spiritual perfection (glorification) until our resurrection, so the earth will be given new life and a new nature in Jesus Christ. But it will not be perfected until after the Great White Throne judgment of God at the end of time. Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God (Revelation 21:1-3). This regenerated earth will be far superior to the earth today, but it will be far inferior to the new earth that is yet to come.

“Father, thank You for the wonderful promise of the coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ wherein He will set all things right in accordance with Your perfect will and purpose. What a glorious Kingdom that will be. To Your praise and glory, Amen.”

Pastor