Beth-El Baptist Church

11/15/2009

Greg Tomlinson


Does God still have more to reveal about the Kingdom of God?


The Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons) have as one of their articles of faith that they “believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God”. God has given us the scriptures that we now have, could there be more to add concerning the Kingdom of God?


  1. Why would someone think there is still more to learn?

Isaiah 53:1-5

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 John 8:25-27; 16:12-14

Hebrews 5:11-14 2 John 12

3 John 13-14 Acts 1:3



The Old Testament Prophets left us with several questions that needed to be answered. The most fundamental question was the identity and timing of the Messiah. The New Testament answered that question. In the New Testament, Jesus, Paul, and John reported that they had more things to say and to write to others. Jesus even stated that His disciples were not ready to hear them yet. Not that Jesus told the disciples that although Jesus would not tell them more, the Spirit of truth, will guide them and speak to them. When Paul indicates he has more to say, he claims that they are not ready to receive them because they are carnal.


  1. What else could there be to reveal about the Kingdom of God?

John 16:15-16, 20-22; 20:21; 21:14-19 Acts 1:6-8

Matthew 24:2-7


The Prophets and Apostles have already proclaimed the coming of the Messiah or Christ as well as identified Him and explained what He came to do and what He did do. The only thing left is to identify the timing and the events of His final return as well as what we are to do until He returns.


  1. How can we be sure that we have everything to be revealed?

Acts 26:22-23 Luke 19:13

Matthew 24:34-39 Ephesians 4:11-15


Regarding the timing of the kingdom of God, Jesus told us He will not divulge the timing of His next return. He has also given us the signs of His return so we are to watch for them and be ready for He may return at any moment. Regarding what we are to do until He returns, He has told us to wait and continue growing in the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus.


  1. What do we continue to look for?

Matthew 24:42-46; 25:13-30; 26:38-46 Mark 13:31-37

Acts 20:27-32 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 11:23-27 1 Thessalonians 5:5-9

2 Timothy 4:1-5


We are to look for the return of Jesus Christ, for one another and for the persecution that is to come. We are to look out for our own souls and seek to live a life that is not characterized by sin.


Summary:

In the New Testament, the most fundamental question to be answered has to do with the return of Jesus Christ and what we need to be doing until He does return. In a sense, those questions were answered when Jesus told the Apostles that they are not to know when Jesus is coming back and until that time, they need to continue preaching the word of God and watching for His return.