What is the KINGDOM OF GOD?
The kingdom of God is like no other kingdom on earth. when asked when the kingdom would come, Christ answered:"The kingdom of God does not come with observance;nor will they say, 'See here!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20--21)
Pilate questioned Jesus about His being a king, and jesus saied: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" John 18:36.
These statements tell us a great deal about the nature of God's kingdom. Rahter than bweing an earthly territroy under reagal rule, as Israel expected, the kingdom involves something "within you", an issue of the heart and soul.
Christ used the terms "kingdom of God", "kingdom of heaven", and "My kingdom" interchangeably. These terms involve the hopes presented by the Old Test prophets: "For unto us a Child is born... Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward even forever". Isaiah 9:6-7.
Jesus affirmed that the heavenly kingdom was in the process of arriving during His day "The law and the prophets were until John (the Baptist). Since that time the kingdom of God has been preache4d, and everyone is pressing into it". (Luke 16;16)
From John's cry in the wilderness, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matt. 3:2), to the ministry of jesus and beyond, God was opening His heavenly kingdom to humanity. And Christ said it was about to happen: "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom" (Matt 16:28)
Many assume Christ's statement in Matt. 16:28 was fulfill3ed on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when thousands of Jews accepted Christ and were baptized.
Although Acts 2 depicts a massive "pressing into" the kingdom by the Jews dwelling in Jerusalem, this was not the complete fulfillment of Christ's promise in Matthew 16:28. Years after Pentecost the disciples and Christians throughout the ages have continued "to press into the kingdom".
Certainly, the process o entering the kingdom had begun. Paul told the Colossians: "He has delivered us fro mthe power of darkeness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love."
However, the kingdom had yet to arrive in the fullness of its power (2Peter 1:11). Nevertheless, the first-century saints were urged to continue moving into the kingdom by Paul: "Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace" Hebrews 12:28) The kingdom of God is the full rule of God in our hearts. Carnal men continue to seek a worldly kingdom based upon the flesh of men.
In 70 A.D., the earthly kingdom of Israel was destroyed. The sight of Jerusalem in ruins signaled the presence of God's heavenly kingdom with power--The New Jerusalem. the transfer from the earthl to the heavenly was complete. Sin had been "put away" (Heb. 9:26) crating purity and holiness in people of faith--a suitable dwelling place for God Himself. Notice in Hebrews 1:8, "a sceptre of righteousness in the sceptre of His kingdom".
But what is the "kingdom of God"? What does it mean for Christians on earth to be in the kingdom of heaven" today ?
Dwelling in the kingdom involes a release of personal will, a death to self, making room for God's reign in our hearts through the gospel. God makes His lome within us (John 14:23).
Theiswas the essence of Christ's salvation work-to prepare a sins-free dwelling place for God among His people; "Now, therefore, your are no longer stranghers and foreigners, but...memebers of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone... in whom you also are being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22)The New Covenant is nothing more than the process of building God's dwelling place and establishing His kingdom within human beings.
Now His kingdom stands with power"from that time forward, even forever" (Isaiah 9:7). The heavenly kingdom of our God has come, and it transcends earthly life. His kingdom is eternal and will never stop increasing (Daniel 7:13-14). As the Scripture says, "And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it" Rev. 21:24).
Even during our lives on earth Christians enjoy the beauty of God's reign in our hearts. surely, the kingdom of God has come upon us with power.
May Jesus be glorified with the Fahter and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. |
