The Fruits Of The Kingdom

by David Smith, Ayr, U.K. | Category: General | Mar 1983

It is significant that one of the divine principles which God unveiled at Mount Sinai, and which runs through the present dispensation, is that it is committed to men to build the house of God in strict accordance with the pattern given in the Word of God. Moses was shown that pattern in the mount (Heb. 8:5). David was made to understand it in writing from the hand of the Lord (1 Chron. 28:19). And the apostles were for forty days taught by the Lord "the things concerning the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3).

How commendable that "Moses did as the Lord commanded!" And when Solomon, who had been chosen to build the temple instead of his father David, had finished this momentous task the glory of the Lord filled the house (2 Chron. 7:1) confirming that the work had been completed according to the pattern. Thus it became God's dwelling place in the midst of His gathered people. The Mighty One of Jacob, who on that memorable night had first divulged the vital truth of the house of God to the lonely patriarch on the outskirts of Luz (Genesis 28) had come to His resting place (Psalm 132:14).

The wickedness and spiritual departure of the people later forced God to leave His house in Jerusalem and He allowed it to be destroyed by fire. However, in the cycle of divine events, a remnant, stirred by the Spirit of God did return from Babylon to rebuild God's dwelling place. Although numerically weak, and operating in conditions so very diverse from those of their predecessors, their actions were regulated by the "law of Moses" and the "order of David". The revelation of God on this vital matter had to be adhered to, and so the house was rebuilt.

A thousand years had passed since king Solomon in the zeal of youth dedicated to the Lord that glorious temple which ever after was to bear His name. Though burned and rebuilt, sacked and desecrated, the temple in Jerusalem had through all that long period been the hallowed centre for the worship and service of God's people, the place to which faithful hearts had ever sought in their love and devotion to the Lord.

Now the sun rises over Bethany to usher in another day in the divine economy. He who "is greater than Solomon" and "greater than the temple" journeys to the capital to continue His teaching in the sacred shrine, for the place of concourse is still "My Father's house". To the eternal Son "whose going forth are from of old, from everlasting", but now subject to time, the present is quickly gliding past. In a few days He will be led away from Jerusalem, rejected, bearing the cross of shame for Himself, and unbelieving Israel will ratify the prophetic scripture with which they all must have been familiar, "The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner: this was from the Lord, and it is marvellous in our eyes" (Matt. 21:42). The trusteeship of God's house and of the people among whom He dwelt was the responsibility of the chief priests and elders. They were rightly addressed later by Peter as ''you the builders'' (Acts 4:11). They perceived that Jesus spoke of them, although in their unbelief they did not perceive the solemn implication of His words that the house of God was about to be vacated of the divine presence, their house, no longer God's house, is left unto them desolate, and the kingdom is being taken away from them (Matt. 21:43).

It is a solemn lesson to every generation that the God who intrusts His things to men can at His own will withdraw His trust. We do not hold anything from Him to handle as we please, but rather as He pleases and for His glory. Reflecting on the case of Israel Paul wrote, "By their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will He spare thee" (Rom. 11:20, 21). The Ephesians are a like illustration in the new dispensation, seated in the heavenly places in Christ and grace given them according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Eph. 4:7), yet thirty years later when the Lord walks in the midst of the lampstands He could say, "I come to thee, and will move thy lampstand out of its place, except thou repent" (Rev. 2:5 RVM).

The kingdom was not dissolved in favour of a new concept of divine rule, but rather was "given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof". There were in those days many nations of men who featured prominently in world affairs, just as there are today. So to whom would God transfer the kingdom? To a nation producing the fruits.

Fruit is the desired consequence or end product of labour, attention and tillage. All these God had unsparingly invested in Israel, but without reaping the expected harvest of love, faith and obedience. He had looked for judgement and righteousness, but found only oppression (Isa. 5). He had looked for grapes, but found only wild grapes. How sad when a choice vine planted by His loving hand brings forth wild grapes and leaves with nothing to rejoice His heart.

The pathos of these parables is gilded by the promise of God to give the kingdom to a tiny nation, called the "little flock". It is moving indeed that when "many thousands of the multitudes were gathered" to hear the teaching of the Lord, He should turn to His disciples and say, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). Obviously the Father's pleasure was not affected by their small numbers, for after Judas had been removed, they numbered only eleven, but He could say in His prayer to the Father on the night of His betrayal, "they have kept Thy word". "The words which Thou gavest Me I have given them; and they received them". They received His words and they kept them, and in their obedience they manifested their love and faith. As the kingdom had been given to Israel on the ground of their obedience (Exod. 19:5-8) 50 now obedience is the hallmark of the kingdom of God. The rule of God commences in the subject hearts of those who acknowledge the lordship of Christ.

They not only believe on Him, but also follow in obedience to His word. After His ascension to the right hand of the Father, the kingdom rule of Christ was established in the Church of God in Jerusalem, which came into being on the day of Pentecost when they "that received His word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41). From there the kingdom of God was extended throughout Asia Minor and Europe as other churches of God came into existence, established on the same basis, holding the same doctrine and keeping the "one faith". Thus the rule and authority of the one Lord prevailed throughout the whole.

The kingdom of God was not an abstract dogma of word only, but was evident in power (1 Cor. 4:20). "Not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom. 14:17). Indeed it meant a great deal to the early disciples who suffered to be counted worthy of the kingdom of God (2 Thess. 1:5) which had been given to them.

May we aspire to be counted worthy of His confidence who said, "Seek ye the kingdom of God" (Luke 12:31 RVM).

David Smith, Ayr, U.K. | Mar 1983
General