God's reign — lost in Eden, promised to David, proclaimed by Jesus, consummated at the end.
From the first command to "have dominion," the Bible is about God's rule exercised through his people — a rule forfeited in Eden, focused in the throne promised to David, glimpsed in Daniel's everlasting kingdom, and then announced by Jesus: "The kingdom of God is at hand." He teaches it in parables, embodies it in his works, and the story ends with the cry, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ."- 1
"Have dominion"
Genesis 1:28God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Humanity is made to rule creation under God — the kingdom's first form. - 2
A throne established forever
2 Samuel 7:16Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
God promises David a son whose kingdom will have no end. - 3
An everlasting dominion
Daniel 7:14“And to Him was given dominion, Honor, and a kingdom, So that all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.
Daniel sees one like a son of man given a kingdom that will never be destroyed. - 4
"The kingdom of God is at hand"
Mark 1:15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Jesus opens his ministry announcing the kingdom has come near. - 5
The parables of the kingdom
Matthew 13:31He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a person took and sowed in his field;
Jesus likens the kingdom to a mustard seed — small now, immense at the end. - 6
The kingdom of the world become Christ's
Revelation 11:15Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”
Revelation: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ."
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org