📖 Biblical Definition
The era of YHWH's saving rule that the prophets foretold and that the Messiah inaugurates. Inaugurated at Christ's first coming ("the kingdom of heaven is at hand," Matt 4:17); already-not-yet present in the church age; consummated at His return when the kingdom comes in fullness. Marked by Spirit-outpouring, knowledge of YHWH covering the earth, justice flowing, the wolf dwelling with the lamb, and ultimately the new heavens and new earth.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Era inaugurated by Messiah's coming; already-not-yet present.
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The era of YHWH's saving rule that the prophets foretold and that the Messiah inaugurates. Already-not-yet present: inaugurated at Christ's first coming ("the kingdom of heaven is at hand," Matt 4:17); operative through the church age in Spirit-and-Word; consummated at Christ's second coming when the kingdom comes in fullness. Markers in OT prophecy: Spirit poured on all flesh (Joel 2), knowledge of YHWH covering the earth as waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14), justice flowing as a mighty stream (Amos 5:24), the wolf dwelling with the lamb (Isa 11:6), and ultimately the new heavens and new earth (Isa 65:17; 2 Pet 3:13).
📖 Key Scripture
Isaiah 11:9 — "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
Joel 2:28 — "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh."
Matthew 4:17 — "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Either fully spiritualized (kingdom only inner) or fully political (kingdom only outward); biblical balance is already-not-yet.
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Two opposite errors: (1) fully spiritualized kingdom (only inner, only future) misses Christ's actual reign now; (2) fully political kingdom (this-worldly only) misses Christ's eschatological consummation. Scripture's already-not-yet holds both: the kingdom is now and not yet, partial and full, present and coming.
Recover the balance: live now under His present reign; long for His full reign; pray "Thy kingdom come" knowing it has come and is coming.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
From mashiach (Messiah) + age.
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['Hebrew', 'H4899', 'mashiach', 'anointed, Messiah']
['Greek', 'G932', 'basileia', 'kingdom']
Usage
"Messianic age is already-not-yet."
"Inaugurated at first coming; consummated at second."
"Pray Thy kingdom come."