The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God

Six hundred years before Christ came Daniel prophesied of a coming day when God would set up his kingdom on earth (Dan. 2:44). The Christian religion, including the church of Christ is that heavenly kingdom (Matt. 16:18). The church is that kingdom which cannot be shaken (Heb. 12:28).

The Kingdom is variously referred to as the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 3:2), the kingdom of God (Matt. 12:38) and by inference the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13).

To understand the kingdom of Christ we must realize that it is a spiritual, not a temporal entity. To Pilate Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). The kingdom of Christ controls no geographic borders. It's territory is the hearts of his disciples. "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21). This is why it is called "the kingdom of heaven." Heaven is it origin; heaven is its destiny. It's mission is to gather and prepare citizens for life in the heavenly realms (Phil. 3:20).

The kingdom of God is ruled by a divine sovereign. To Jesus God gave all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). Thus it is the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:12-13). He is King of kings and Lord of lords" (I Tim. 6:14-16). No man or body of men have the right to rule over his church on earth for Christ alone is head of his kingdom/church (Eph. 1:22).

Citizens of Christ's spiritual kingdom are those saved by his blood and added to his church. When the heavenly Father delivers a sinner from the power of darkness he translates him into the kingdom of his Son (Col. 1:13; Acts 2:47 KJV). John reminded the Christians in Asia Minor that Jesus "made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father" (Rev. 1:6). We Christians are priests now and thus members of his kingdom (I Pet. 2:5,9). Those who have not yet been saved are yet in the kingdom of darkness, not in the Lord's kingdom. To be added to the kingdom, one must be born of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5). This occurs when a sinner repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of his sins and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

Christ's spiritual kingdom is governed by righteous laws. David wrote that "The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether" (Ps. 19:9). "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made (us) free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2). The law of Christ (Gal. 6:2) is his new and better covenant (Heb. 8:6-13). It is "the perfect law of liberty" (Jas. 1:25).

Citizenship in this kingdom brings many and valuable privileges. In the kingdom we have "redemption, the forgiveness of our sins" (Col. 1:13-14). We have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3). As citizens, Christ lives in us and is our hope of glory (Col. 1:27-28).

The kingdom of heaven has before it a destiny bright and glorious. When Christ returns to raise the dead he will deliver up his kingdom to the Father (I Cor. 15:24). "No fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" (Eph. 5:5; I Cor. 6:9-11). In the heavenly realm kingdom citizens will have new bodies, free from the curse of sickness and old age (I Cor. 15:50-52). Eternal life will be theirs to enjoy (II Pet. 1:11). That unending life will blessed beyond words because they will live in the presence of their Creator, Provider and Savior forever (Rev. 22:1-5).

The most important questions facing mortal men are: Have you been born of water and the Spirit so you can enter the kingdom of heaven (John 3:3-5)? Are you living for and serving the King as a faithful citizen? Only those who are faithful will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10)

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