Dictionary of Bible Themes – 9145 Messianic age
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9145 Messianic age

9145 Messianic age

In the OT, writers look forward to the era that will be inaugurated by God’s decisive intervention in human history, in order to establish his eternal kingdom under the Messiah. The Messianic age is characterised by righteousness, justice and peace, by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and by the restoration and renewal of God’s people and of creation. In the NT, the idea appears in a developed form as the “kingdom of God”, inaugurated by the first coming of Jesus Christ and to be consummated at his return.

The victory of God’s kingdom foreseen

Da 2:37-44 See also Zec 14:9

The victory of God’s Messiah Ps 45:3-6 This psalm came to be applied to the Messiah. See also Ps 110:5-6 This psalm was also applied to the Messiah in the OT times; Isa 9:3-5; Isa 42:13; Isa 59:17-19

The Messiah’s universal reign Da 7:13-14 Psalms traditionally taken as referring to the Messiah: Ps 2:8-9; Ps 72:8-11

Restoration in the Messianic age

Restoration of harmony in creation Isa 11:6-9 pp Isa 65:25

Restoration of the land’s prosperity Am 9:13-15 See also Ps 72:3; Isa 4:2; Joel 3:18

Restoration and renewal of God’s people Jer 3:18; Mic 4:6-8 See also Isa 60:1-3; Joel 3:16-17; Am 9:11; Ob 17-21; Ac 1:6; Zec 3:9 God’s people seek him in repentance: Hos 3:5; Jer 50:4-5; Eze 11:19-20 pp Eze 36:28

Characteristics of the Messianic age

Righteousness and justice Isa 32:1 See also Ps 72:2,12-13; Isa 9:7; Isa 11:3-5; Isa 32:16; Jer 23:5-6 pp Jer 33:15-16

Peace and security Isa 32:17-18 See also Mic 4:3-4 pp Isa 2:4; Isa 65:20-23; Jer 23:5-6; Jer 33:15-16; Eze 34:25-29; Zec 9:9-10

Universal acknowledgment of the Lord Jer 3:17 See also Isa 2:2-3 pp Mic 4:1-2; Isa 19:23-25; Zec 14:16

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit Joel 2:28-29 See also Isa 11:2; Isa 32:15; Isa 44:3; Isa 59:21; Eze 36:27

The kingdom of God in the NT

Inaugurated at Jesus Christ’s first coming Mt 12:28 pp Lk 11:20 See also Mk 1:15; Lk 4:43

Includes the restoration of all things Ac 3:21 See also Rev 21:1-4

Consummated at Jesus Christ’s return Rev 11:15 See also Mt 24:30-31 pp Mk 13:26-27; Rev 12:10

See also

2230Messiah, coming of
2312Christ as king
2345Christ, kingdom of
2375kingdom of God
2565Christ, second coming
5359justice
6700peace
8154righteousness
9105last things
9140last days
9150Messianic banquet
9220day of the Lord

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