Editorial
Restoration Magazine May 1975
Bryn Jones
For generations the kingdom of God has tantalized the majority of Christians as
some distant hope or a theological theme to study and sermonise. The many seeming
contrary references to it in the Scriptures have helped to keep it shrouded in mystery.
Some verses present it as an immediate reality - Rom.14.17. Yet others offer the
kingdom as our future inheritance - Matt.25.34. Some Scriptures emphasise the kingdom
as a realm into which we have entered - Col.1.13. Yet others mention the kingdom
as a future realm which we must enter on Christ's return. 2.Pet.1.11. These verbal
contradictions have caused very diverse interpretations in the history of theology.
Consequently the kingdom has made little practical impact on our life style, attitudes,
or thinking. We have thought of it as remote from our daily living. However, we hold
the deepest conviction that the message of the kingdom of God which was central in
the ministry, preaching and life of both Jesus and the apostles, is once again coming
to the fore in our generation by the Spirit's quickening our understanding of its essential
meaning and nature.
We are aware that our generation is witnessing the count down to the end of this age.
We fully expect that the message of the kingdom will be proclaimed increasingly as the
answer to the dilemma of our day, the great eternal alternative to a crumbling human
society. A new community will arise strong and secure in the midst of a weak
crumbling world system.
In this issue of the magazine we are seeking to present the message of the kingdom
with clarity, simplicity, and practicality in order that we shall see its importance and
grasp its significance for now. To help achieve this aim I would like to give you one
KEY meaning amidst the diverse references to the kingdom in the Bible.
The PRIMARY meaning both of the Hebrew word Malkuth and the Greek word
Basileia is the rank, authority, and sovereignty exercised by a king: any other meaning
is secondary. The kingdom of God is His kingship, His rule, His authority. Once we
realise this, we sense that entering into His kingdom involves a very real and practical
experience, having radical impact on our whole life style.
May we be as the sons of lsaachar who helped establish the kingdom of David -
who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do.'(1.Chron.12.3)