Before we reflect on God’s great plan of salvation, let us come humbly before Him in prayer. May our hearts be open to His truth, and may His Spirit guide us into a deeper understanding of His kingdom and our role in it. Let me read Christ Object Lessons page 159.3.
📖 No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul. (COL 159.3)
May this be the prayer of our hearts as we study the Three Phases of God’s Kingdom and His plan for our salvation.
From the beginning, God has been working to restore His kingdom and redeem fallen humanity. This divine plan unfolds in three phases—the Kingdom of Grace, the Kingdom of Righteousness, and the Kingdom of Glory—each revealing a progressive step in the great work of salvation.
The Kingdom of Grace was established at the cross, where Jesus offered His life as a ransom for sinners. Though God's grace had always been available, it was fully realized when Christ paid the penalty for sin.
📖 “The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man… But it was not actually established until the death of Christ.” (DA 234.4)
Those who accept Christ become heirs and subjects of this kingdom:
📖 “The kingdom of grace, in its subjects, the church on earth, is the beginning of the kingdom of glory.” (DA 512.4)
The Shepherd’s Rod message teaches that the work of grace is sealing God’s people (Revelation 7:3), purifying them for the judgment and the final establishment of the kingdom. The purification of the church (Ezekiel 9) is part of this work, ensuring that only the faithful remain as Christ’s representatives.
Once we receive God’s grace, He calls us to seek His righteousness. This kingdom is spiritual, where Christ rules in the hearts of His people, preparing them to stand as lights in a dark world.
📖 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33, AA 467.1, CSA 64.3)
The kingdom is marked by holiness, for Christ’s church is to be presented without spot or wrinkle:
📖 “That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27)
🔹 The Role of God’s People as Saviors in His Kingdom of Righteousness
In this phase, God’s people are to act as saviors—not in the sense of replacing Christ, but as co-workers in the great work of salvation.
📖 “And saviors shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” (Obadiah 1:21)
This means they will help deliver souls from Babylon (Revelation 18:4), leading many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3).
🔹 The Judgment in the Heavenly Court (Since 1844)
The Kingdom of Righteousness is also a time of judgment, where Christ officiates in the heavenly sanctuary. The judgment for the dead began in 1844, fulfilling:
📖 “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” (Daniel 8:14)
📖 The scene of this judgment is recorded in Revelation 4-8*, where Christ is seen ministering in the heavenly court.
Now, we are approaching the judgment of the living, where God will seal and purify His church in preparation for the final phase—the Kingdom of Glory.
The final phase of God’s kingdom is the Kingdom of Glory, which will be fully established at Christ’s second coming. However, there will first be a partial fulfillment, where God's people will enlighten the earth with His glory:
📖 “And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” (Revelation 18:1)
During this time, the purified remnant will proclaim the last warning message:
📖 “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins.” (Revelation 18:4)
This glorious phase is described in Isaiah 66:19-20, where God's people are sent to declare His glory to the nations.
📖 “I will send those that escape of them unto the nations… and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.” (Isaiah 66:19-20)
🔹 The Kingdom in Miniature – A Preview of Glory
Before Christ’s second advent, a preparatory kingdom will be established—a theocratic government on earth led by the purified church. This is prophesied in:
📖 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains… and all nations shall flow unto it.” (Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1-4)
📖 “The kingdom of glory was represented by the transfiguration of Christ, and will be fully established at His second coming.” (DA 234.4, 421.4)
🔹 Description of this Kingdom – Isaiah 11
This kingdom is described in Isaiah 11, where peace and righteousness will reign:
📖 “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid… They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:6-9)
This partial fulfillment of the Kingdom of Glory foreshadows the final and eternal kingdom that Christ will establish at His second advent.
📖 “The kingdom of Christ will be an everlasting kingdom, for the saints shall possess it forever and ever.” (Daniel 7:27, Hvn 22.3)
The journey from grace to righteousness to glory is God’s great plan for our salvation. Today, He invites you to be part of this kingdom!
📖 “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:11)
Now is the time to:
✅ Accept the Kingdom of Grace—Surrender to Christ and receive His righteousness.
✅ Seek the Kingdom of Righteousness—Live a holy life, preparing for the judgment and the final sealing.
✅ Proclaim the Kingdom of Glory—Be part of the final movement that will enlighten the earth with God’s glory!
The question remains:
➡️ Will you be part of this glorious kingdom?
➡️ Will you allow Christ to reign in your heart today?
📖 “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
Maranatha! The King is coming!