We will look at the meaning of “the Kingdom of God”. To grasp what is meant by the Kingdom of God is to come very close to the heart of the Bible and the meaning of the gospel. The Kingdom of God is one of the principal themes of scripture.
The Kingdom of God is so a part of the teaching of Christ that we only fully understand Christ when we know the meaning of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are identical terms.
The Kingdom of God is the rule of God in the hearts of men. Not only the hearts of men, but over all things in the universe. Jesus mentioned the kingdom of God often, but he never sought to define it. Jesus did make comparisons to the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is like a costly pearl.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46)
The Kingdom of God is like a muster seed.
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32)
From the time of Abraham, who set out to seek a city whose builder and maker is God, until the New Testament closes with the “Holy City, New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, the concept of the kingdom of God permeates scripture.
There is the universal kingdom of God. In this sense the reference is to the sovereignty of God over the whole creation and particularly over mankind. There is no aspect of creation, no one who lives on this earth, there is no part of your life, that is not subject to God’s rule. If anyone somehow thinks they are outside of God’s rule then they are deceiving themselves.
There is no phrase Kingdom of God in the Old Testament. Even though the phrase is not found the idea is there. We see God’s rule as king in the Old Testament. We see God as king of the universe. God is regarded as sitting upon a throne.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all. (Psalm 103:19)
God is surrounded by a heavenly host who serve him. From his throne God watches over the whole earth. His right to be king rests upon the fact that he is creator of the heavens and earth.
For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land. (Psalm 95:3-5)
So, we see that even though the term Kingdom of God is not in the Old Testament the idea is there. We can find the historical background for the Kingdom of God in the Jewish concept of the awaited Messiah. The Jews great hope was for a redeemer who would establish the Kingdom of God.
Israel was a covenant people led out of Egypt to become a nation. During the period of Judges Israel was a lost organization of clans. With the Philistine threat Israel wanted a king. When the people wished they might have an earthly king, like other nations, they in a sense rejected God’s rule over them.
Saul was appointed king. When he died in disgrace the Philistines regained land. David was king because God’s Spirit was upon him. David conquered Philistines, seized Jerusalem, and made it the capital. It is natural for the Jews to think of the coming Messiah in terms of King David.
This kingdom was the best Israel had known. There was more political clout than ever before. They had a leader who truly loved God.
The Kingdom of God is present and personal. John the Baptist came preaching that the kingdom of God was at hand. Jesus came and announced that the time was fulfilled and the Kingdom of God was at hand.
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:14-15)
The Jews expected the Messiah to come from heaven dramatically with such great miraculous displays of power that would over-awe enemies, it would establish (by their estimation) a great Jewish Kingdom to rule the earth.
Contrary to what the Jews expected, Jesus Kingdom was not political, and it was not earthly. Jesus Kingdom was the reign of God in the hearts of men. Jesus came, “meek and riding on a donkey”. His kingdom did not come with outward display, such as the world could see, and be impressed with. Jesus came with a spiritual kingdom that only the redeemed could see.
Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst. (Luke 17:20-21)
The Jews rejected Jesus inward kingdom. It did not meet their expectations. Even Jesus disciples could not appreciate the spiritual nature of Jesus kingdom until after his death, burial, and resurrection.
Even at the ascension of Jesus the disciples were still asking questions about restoring the kingdom. Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)
Paul speaks of the Kingdom of God as an inner spiritual experience.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17)
God is present in the believer to rule in the form of the Holy Spirit. When we submit to the authority of Christ, we are in the Kingdom of God in the present and personal sense. God dwells in our hearts by faith.
There is a future aspect to the Kingdom of God. This is the visible aspect of the kingdom. In the future is the visible Kingdom of Jesus that the Jews were looking for. God will reign over a redeemed creation, over Satan and his angels. God will reign in heaven over his redeemed creation.
This final stage of the Kingdom of God will be ushered in at the second coming of Christ. Not so much ushered in as consummated. The Kingdom of God has come, yes, but the kingdom of God will come. The initiation of the Kingdom of God has already come to pass, but the ultimate fulfillment still reaches into the future.
The Kingdom of God is manifested in this world only in a provisional manner. As we look forward to the ultimate future of the Kingdom of God we should not forget the Kingdom of God is present here and now.
See below the statement of the Kingdom of God that is found in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000
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https://bfm.sbc.net/bfm2000/#ix
The Kingdom
The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the Kingdom may come and God’s will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.
Genesis 1:1;
Isaiah 9:6-7;
Jeremiah 23:5-6;
Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29;
Mark 1:14-15; 9:1;
Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42;
John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31;
Romans 5:17; 8:19;
1 Corinthians 15:24-28;
Colossians 1:13;
Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28;
1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13;
Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22.
