In all other kingdoms, except the kingdom of heaven, the territory is the national domain and inheritance. It was so in the first kingdom of God under the constitution from Sinai. But in the typical kingdom they lived at a distance from their inheritance for one generation. During these forty Years, in which they pitched their tents in the [247] wilderness, God was their inheritance. He rained bread from heaven upon them, and sent them flesh on the east wind. He made the flinty rock Horeb a living spring, whose stream followed them all the way to Jordan. He renewed their garments every day, so that for forty years they grew not old, nor needed a single patch. A pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day guided them on towards Canaan, the land of their inheritance.

      The whole earth is the present territory of the kingdom of heaven, but the new heavens and earth are to be its inheritance. The earth, indeed, is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; but the children of God and the children of the wicked one--the wheat and the darnel, are both planted in it, and must grow together till the harvest. Tile righteous have their bread and water guaranteed to them while they live; for "godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come." But the joint heirs with God are never taught to regard the earth as their inheritance. They may indeed say, though poor and penniless, "All things are ours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come--all are ours, and we are Christ's, and Christ is God's." But, like the Jews on their journey to Canaan, "they seek a better country"--"they seek a city yet to come." "My kingdom," says Jesus, "is not of this world." And, therefore, in the world Christians are strangers and pilgrims, and may expect tribulation.

      The earth is the present theater of war; therefore all Christians in the territory are soldiers. Their expenses are borne, their rations are allowed, the arms and munitions of war are supplied them from the magazines in Mount Zion, the stronghold and fortress of the kingdom; where the King, the heads of departments, and all the legions of angels are resident. So that, on entering the Army of the Faith, every soldier is panoplied with the armor of God; and when inducted into the heavenly tactics under the Captain of Salvation, he is expected to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and to fight the good fight of faith courageously and victoriously.

      The kingdom of heaven on this territory is greatly opposed by the kingdom of Satan; which ever seeks to make an inheritance out of the territory of the militant kingdom of righteousness; and, therefore, the citizens have not to wrestle with flesh and blood, but with the rulers of the darkness of this world--with spiritual wickedness in high places.

      Ever since the commencement of this kingdom, the governments of this world have either been directly opposed to it, or, at best, pretended friends; and, therefore, their influence has always been opposed to the true spirit and genius of the Christian institution. [248] Christians have nothing to expect from them except liberty of conscience and protection from violence, while leading peaceable and quiet lives, in all godliness and honesty, till Jesus take to himself his great power, and hurl all these potentates from their thrones, and make his cause triumphant--a consummation devoutly to be wished, and which can not now be regarded as far distant.

[A. C.]      

Source:

Alexander Campbell. "The Territory." The Millennial Harbinger Extra 5 (August 1834): 411-412.

[MHA1 247-249]