KINGDOM OF GOD/KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

The words "Kingdom of God" and "Kingdom of Heaven" are interchangeable and are found more than 80 times in the New Testament.  The word kingdom comes from the Greek word basileia and can mean both "a king’s rule, reign, dominion, or authority" and also "the territory or people over whom a king reigns."  In the New Testament it most frequently refers to "reign or royal power." The kingdom of God is both present and future.

          The fact that God would rule in grace over the world was foretold in the Old Testament by the prophets. (Isaiah 61:1-3 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,) This is the same Scripture that Jesus read to the people in Luke 4:18, 19; and then proclaimed, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

          John the Baptist, in referring to Jesus, announced that the longed for "kingdom" was at hand. (Matthew 3:1-2 - In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  (Matthew 4:17 - From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.)  Jesus took the message even further when he announced in (Matthew 12:28 - But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.)

          As we all know, Jesus did not set up an earthly kingdom at that time.

The Kingdom of God is both present and future.  The time when Christ shall return and establish a physical earthly kingdom and reign in righteousness over God's people from every dispensation of time is yet future.  It will begin with Christ’s return and the setting up of His Millennial Reign on earth. (2 Timothy 4:1 - I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;) (Revelation 11:15 -  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.)  Christians which have been Raptured will return with Christ and rule with Him during this Millennium period.

          We have been talking about the future earthly kingdom which Christ will establish during the Millennial.  However, in Matthew 12:28, Jesus says the Kingdom of God has already come upon them.  Now there has been no earthly kingdom established, so how can the Kingdom of God be upon the people?  The kingdom as a realm of all dispensations of God's people is indeed in the future; however, the kingdom as the reign or royal power of God came with the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross when he came to destroy the works of Satan.  Everything that Jesus did prove His claim of the beginning of the Kingdom of God through his Ministry.  It is now possible for men to experience the reality of God's reign in their hearts and lives.  Although Satan will be totally defeated in the future kingdom, men do not have to wait to be delivered from the powers of Satan.  The purpose of Christ on earth was the defeat of Satan.  Now the power of God may be a reality to those yielding to God by becoming disciples of Jesus.  The kingdom has come among men in the form of the power of Christ.  This is in anticipation when perfection will be realized in the final age when Christ returns to set up His kingdom on earth.

          The present kingdom of Christ is an invisible and spiritual kingdom and consists of Christ’s kingship in the lives of Christians, showing His power and authority as Savior and Destroyer of Satan. (Luke 17:20-21 - And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.) (John 18:36-37 - Jesus answered, 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.  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.)

          The one who has been born again is the one who can enter the kingdom of divine saving truth of the gospel.  The present kingdom of Jesus on earth is a kingdom of the GOSPEL. That is why the gospel is called "gospel of the kingdom." (Matthew 4:23 - And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.)

 (Matthew 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.)

When you accept the Gospel of Jesus you also accept Him as your Lord and Master and enter into His kingdom.  You now become a "citizen of heaven."

 (Philippians 3:20 - For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:)

          The present kingdom or kingship of Jesus has the gospel as a central message.  This is not to be confused with a passive gospel, this is a dynamic gospel that is the power of God unto salvation. (Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.) Paul had this to say about the gospel, (1 Thessalonians 1:5 - For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.) There is no mistaking that the believer presently enters the kingdom of God. 

(Colossians 1:13 - Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:) Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom of God is here. (Luke 11:20 - But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.) Paul had this to say about the kingdom: (Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.)

          Everything Jesus did confirms the claim that the spiritual kingdom of God began through Christ’s ministry.  It is also clear that the physical kingdom will only be recognized perfectly at the second coming of Christ.  The spiritual kingdom manifests itself in the form of a mystery although it is physically present in Jesus’ words and deeds.  It does not overwhelm the world, it only postpones the judgment of God's enemies.

          The kingdom that arrived with Jesus was not the one the Jews were expecting.  There was no triumphal victory, no earthly kingdom set up, no overthrow of the existing government.  Instead the kingdom of God that Jesus brought arrived secretly and mysteriously without bringing the present evil age to an end but rather overlapped the present age, invading it.  Even the demons questioned.  (Matthew 8:29 -  And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?)  They recognized that this was not the future physical kingdom that would end the present age and bring that perfect age promised by the prophets. The time when Satan and his demons would be cast down.

          The authority, power and message of the kingdom was introduced by Jesus and given to the Church. (Matthew 16:19 - And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.) The kingdom of God as a physical place was yet to come, but the spiritual kingdom has already arrived on the scene and the Church was to exercise the power of it.  The Church and the kingdom of God are not identical; however, the Church is presently the instrument of the kingdom and will inherit the kingdom. (James 2:5 - Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?) (2 Peter 1:11 - For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.)

          God's ultimate kingdom will include the Church, the Old Testament Saints, the future regathered remnant of Israel, and righteous nations that will have a part in Millennial Reign of Jesus. (Matthew 25:32-34 - And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:) (Revelation 20:4 - And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.)

          This present spiritual kingdom is an anticipation and guarantee of the future bliss where all Christians shall live and reign with Christ forever.