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135:5.3 In the days of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] all [[Jews]] were [[expectantly]] asking, " How soon will the kingdom come? " There was a general [[feeling]] that the end of the rule of the [[gentile]] nations was drawing near. There was present throughout all Jewry a lively [[hope]] and a keen [[expectation]] that the [[consummation]] of the [[desire]] of the ages would occur during the lifetime of that [[generation]].

135:5.3 In the days of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] all [[Jews]] were [[expectantly]] asking, " How soon will the kingdom come? " There was a general [[feeling]] that the end of the rule of the [[gentile]] nations was drawing near. There was present throughout all Jewry a lively [[hope]] and a keen [[expectation]] that the [[consummation]] of the [[desire]] of the ages would occur during the lifetime of that [[generation]].

135:5.4 While the [[Jews]] differed greatly in their estimates of the [[nature]] of the coming kingdom, they were alike in their [[belief]] that the [[event]] was impending, near at hand, even at the door. Many who read the [[Old Testament]] [[literally]] looked expectantly for a new [[king]] in [[Palestine]], for a regenerated [[Jewish]] [[nation]] delivered from its enemies and presided over by the successor of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David King David], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism Messiah] who would quickly be acknowledged as the rightful and [[righteous]] ruler of all the world. Another, though smaller, group of devout [[Jews]] held a vastly different view of this kingdom of God. They taught that the coming kingdom was not of this world, that the world was approaching its certain end, and that " a new heaven and a new earth " were to usher in the [[establishment]] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_140#140:1._PRELIMINARY_INSTRUCTION kingdom of God]; that this kingdom was to be an everlasting [[dominion]], that sin was to be ended, and that the [[citizens]] of the new kingdom were to become [[immortal]] in their [[enjoyment]] of this endless [[bliss]].

135:5.4 While the [[Jews]] differed greatly in their estimates of the [[nature]] of the coming kingdom, they were alike in their [[belief]] that the [[event]] was impending, near at hand, even at the door. Many who read the [[Old Testament]] [[literally]] looked expectantly for a new [[king]] in [[Palestine]], for a regenerated [[Jewish]] [[nation]] delivered from its enemies and presided over by the successor of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David King David], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism Messiah] who would quickly be acknowledged as the rightful and [[righteous]] ruler of all the world. Another, though smaller, group of devout [[Jews]] held a vastly different view of this kingdom of God. They taught that the coming kingdom was not of this world, that the world was approaching its certain end, and that " a new heaven and a new earth " were to usher in the [[establishment]] of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_140#140:1._PRELIMINARY_INSTRUCTION kingdom of God]; that this kingdom was to be an everlasting [[dominion]], that sin was to be ended, and that the [[citizens]] of the new kingdom were to become [[immortal]] in their [[enjoyment]] of this endless [[bliss]].

135:5.5 All were [[agreed]] that some drastic purging or purifying [[discipline]] would of necessity precede the [[establishment]] of the new kingdom on [[earth]]. The [[literalists]] taught that a world-wide [[war]] would ensue which would destroy all unbelievers, while the [[faithful]] would sweep on to [[universal]] and [[eternal]] [[victory]]. The spiritists taught that the kingdom would be ushered in by the great [[judgment]] of [[God]] which would relegate the unrighteous to their well-deserved judgment of [[punishment]] and final destruction, at the same time elevating the believing saints of the [[chosen people]] to high seats of [[honor]] and [[authority]] with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man], who would rule over the redeemed [[nations]] in [[God]]'s name. And this latter [[group]] even believed that many devout [[gentiles]] might be admitted to the fellowship of the new kingdom.

135:5.5 All were [[agreed]] that some drastic purging or purifying [[discipline]] would of necessity precede the [[establishment]] of the new kingdom on [[earth]]. The [[literalists]] taught that a world-wide [[war]] would ensue which would destroy all unbelievers, while the [[faithful]] would sweep on to [[universal]] and [[eternal]] [[victory]]. The spiritists taught that the kingdom would be ushered in by the great [[judgment]] of [[God]] which would relegate the unrighteous to their well-deserved judgment of [[punishment]] and final destruction, at the same time elevating the believing saints of the [[chosen people]] to high seats of [[honor]] and [[authority]] with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man], who would rule over the redeemed [[nations]] in [[God]]'s name. And this latter [[group]] even believed that many devout [[gentiles]] might be admitted to the fellowship of the new kingdom.

135:5.6 Some of the [[Jews]] held to the [[opinion]] that [[God]] might possibly establish this new kingdom by direct and [[divine]] [[intervention]], but the vast [[majority]] believed that he would interpose some [[representative]] intermediary, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism the Messiah]. And that was the only possible [[meaning]] the term [[Messiah]] could have had in the [[minds]] of the [[Jews]] of the [[generation]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] and [[Jesus]]. [[Messiah]] could not possibly refer to one who merely taught God's will or [[proclaimed]] the [[necessity]] for [[righteous]] living. To all such [[holy]] [[persons]] the [[Jews]] gave the title of [[prophet]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism The Messiah] was to be more than a [[prophet]]; the [[Messiah]] was to bring in the establishment of the new kingdom, the kingdom of God. No one who failed to do this could be the [[Messiah]] in the [[traditional]] [[Jewish]] sense.

135:5.6 Some of the [[Jews]] held to the [[opinion]] that [[God]] might possibly establish this new kingdom by direct and [[divine]] [[intervention]], but the vast [[majority]] believed that he would interpose some [[representative]] intermediary, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism the Messiah]. And that was the only possible [[meaning]] the term [[Messiah]] could have had in the [[minds]] of the [[Jews]] of the [[generation]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] and [[Jesus]]. [[Messiah]] could not possibly refer to one who merely taught God's will or [[proclaimed]] the [[necessity]] for [[righteous]] living. To all such [[holy]] [[persons]] the [[Jews]] gave the title of [[prophet]]. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism The Messiah] was to be more than a [[prophet]]; the [[Messiah]] was to bring in the establishment of the new kingdom, the kingdom of God. No one who failed to do this could be the [[Messiah]] in the [[traditional]] [[Jewish]] sense.

135:5.7 Who would this [[Messiah]] be? Again the [[Jewish]] [[teachers]] differed. The older ones clung to the [[doctrine]] of the son of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidic_line David]. The newer taught that, since the new kingdom was a heavenly kingdom, the new ruler might also be a [[divine]] [[personality]], one who had long sat at God's right hand in [[heaven]]. And strange as it may appear, those who thus conceived of the ruler of the new kingdom looked upon him not as a [[human]] [[Messiah]], not as a mere man, but as " [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man the Son of Man] "—a Son of God—a heavenly Prince, long held in waiting thus to [[assume]] the rulership of the [[earth]] made new. Such was the [[religious]] background of the Jewish world when [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] went forth proclaiming: " Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_matthew#Chapter_3]

135:5.7 Who would this [[Messiah]] be? Again the [[Jewish]] [[teachers]] differed. The older ones clung to the [[doctrine]] of the son of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidic_line David]. The newer taught that, since the new kingdom was a heavenly kingdom, the new ruler might also be a [[divine]] [[personality]], one who had long sat at God's right hand in [[heaven]]. And strange as it may appear, those who thus conceived of the ruler of the new kingdom looked upon him not as a [[human]] [[Messiah]], not as a mere man, but as " [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man the Son of Man] "—a Son of God—a heavenly Prince, long held in waiting thus to [[assume]] the rulership of the [[earth]] made new. Such was the [[religious]] background of the Jewish world when [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John] went forth proclaiming: " Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! "[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_matthew#Chapter_3]

135:5.8 It becomes apparent, therefore, that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John]'s announcement of the coming kingdom had not less than half a dozen [[different]] [[meanings]] in the [[minds]] of those who [[listened]] to his impassioned preaching. But no matter what significance they attached to the phrases which John employed, each of these various [[groups]] of Jewish-kingdom expectants was intrigued by the proclamations of this [[sincere]], [[enthusiastic]], rough-and-ready preacher of [[righteousness]] and [[repentance]], who so solemnly exhorted his hearers to " flee from the wrath to come. "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist]

135:5.8 It becomes apparent, therefore, that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist John]'s announcement of the coming kingdom had not less than half a dozen [[different]] [[meanings]] in the [[minds]] of those who [[listened]] to his impassioned preaching. But no matter what significance they attached to the phrases which John employed, each of these various [[groups]] of Jewish-kingdom expectants was intrigued by the proclamations of this [[sincere]], [[enthusiastic]], rough-and-ready preacher of [[righteousness]] and [[repentance]], who so solemnly exhorted his hearers to " flee from the wrath to come. "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist]

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135 Go to Paper 135]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_135 Go to Paper 135]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

[[Category:Paper 135 - John the Baptist]]

[[Category:Paper 135 - John the Baptist]]

[[Category: Seers]]

[[Category: Seers]]