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Replying to post 6 by JehovahsWitness]
Checkpoint wrote:
The gist of your position is that the kingdom is future only, but has a present aspect that started in 1914?
Yes, exactly; well put. That is why we continue to pray "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"; there would be no point in asking something to come that is already here. The King is in place now (since 1914) but we are awaiting his return in power to destroy the wicked and finally fully vindicate his father's name.
God's will is being done constantly on the earth, as believers live their lives in faith and in obedience. And as others join them by becoming His children too.
It is not God's will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, as scripture reminds us; 2 Peter 3:9.
The King is in place now (since 1914)
Where else was he before that time?
Checkpoint wrote:
Why, in your view, was there no present aspect prior to 1914?
Because scripture said God set an "appointed time for the nations"; in other words, there was a fixed date for the government to go into operation. Jesus and his co-rulers would simply have to wait until that date arrived.
Quote:
PSALMS 110:1 - ASV
Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
You seem to be saying that Jesus has been sitting there all that time doing nothing other than waiting "until that date arrived" "for the government to go into operation".
Checkpoint wrote:
So, before 1914, there was no kingdom of God?
No messianic kingdom no.
Please explain what exactly you mean by the term "messianic kingdom".