Introduction: This week we have been bombarded with the images of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The disciples asked Jesus about similar tragedies in His day.
- The Settlers of the Kingdom
- The Saints Who Return With Christ (Revelation 19:11-14)
- The Resurrected Tribulation Saints (Revelation 20:4-6)
- The Surviving Tribulation Saints (Matthew 24:13, 21-22)
- The Righteous Nations (Matthew 25:31-40)
- They Inherit the Kingdom (Matthew 25:34) (Note: These last two groups enter the kingdom in bodies of human flesh and evidently have children in the kingdom age.)
- The Setting of the Kingdom
- The Devil is Bound (Revelation 20:1-3)
- Jesus Christ is on the Throne (Revelation 19:15-16)
- Nature is at Peace (Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 65:25)
- The World is at Peace (Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 32:17-18; Ezekiel 34:28)
- It is a Time of Holiness (Isaiah 4:3-4; Isaiah 35:8-10; Zephaniah 3:11-13; Zechariah 14:20-21)
- It is a Time of Joy (Isaiah 65:18-20)
- It is a Time of Prosperity (Isaiah 35:1-2; Amos 9:13-14)
- The Set-Up of the Kingdom
- Jesus will Reign as King (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:31-33)
- Jerusalem will be His Capital (Isaiah 2:2-4; Jeremiah 3:17; Zechariah 8:1-8)
- The Saints will Rule with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 5:9-10)
- Christ will Rule with a Rod of Iron (Psalm 2:8-12; Zechariah 14:16-19; Matthew 5:21-26; Revelation 19:15)
- Children will be born to those who pass from the tribulation to the kingdom (Zechariah 8:5; Isaiah 65:20)
- As such, they will have a sin nature in a perfect environment (Revelation 20:7-9)
CONCLUSION: Once again, God gets the glory but man proves his absolute need for a Saviour.