The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 276

The European Union in Prophecy
they had declared to be at hand was established by the death of Christ. This kingdom
was not, as they had been taught to believe, an earthly empire. Nor was it that future,
immortal kingdom which shall be set up when "the kingdom and dominion, and the
greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the
saints of the Most High;" that everlasting kingdom, in which "all dominions shall
serve and obey Him." Daniel 7:27.
As used in the Bible, the expression "kingdom of God" is employed to designate
both the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory. The kingdom of grace is brought
to view by Paul in the Epistle to the Hebrews. After pointing to Christ, the
compassionate intercessor who is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," the
apostle says: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace." Hebrews 4:15, 16. The throne of grace represents the
kingdom of grace; for the existence of a throne implies the existence of a kingdom. In
many of His parables Christ uses the expression "the kingdom of heaven" to designate
the work of divine grace upon the hearts of men.
So the throne of glory represents the kingdom of glory; and this kingdom is
referred to in the Saviour's words: "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and
all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before
Him shall be gathered all nations." Matthew 25:31, 32. This kingdom is yet future. It
is not to be set up until the second advent of Christ. The kingdom of grace was
instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the
redemption of the guilty race. It then existed in the purpose and by the promise of
God; and through faith, men could become its subjects. Yet it was not actually
established until the death of
Christ. Even after entering upon His earthly mission, the Saviour, wearied with
the stubbornness and ingratitude of men, might have drawn back from the sacrifice
of Calvary. In Gethsemane the cup of woe trembled in His hand. He might even then
have wiped the blood-sweat from His brow and have left the guilty race to perish in
their iniquity. Had He done this, there could have been no redemption for fallen men.
But when the Saviour yielded up His life, and with His expiring breath cried out, "It
is finished," then the fulfillment of the plan of redemption was assured. The promise
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