Kingdom

The Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Christ and Kingdom of Heaven are synonymous. They do not refer to a specific geographic location or people. They describe God’s reign in a place and in a people who acknowledge his authority and submit to his sovereign will. The purpose of the kingdom is to redeem people from worldly influence and Satan’s control. (Matthew 4, Luke 4) In the New Testament the terms represent the divine authority to rule that God has given Jesus. “The kingdom of God is the redemptive rule of God in Jesus defeating Satan and the powers of evil and delivering people from the sway of evil.” [1] It is established in the hearts of believers through childlike belief. (Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17)

God’s kingdom is on the move. Sometimes it may seem like it is advancing at a snail’s pace, but, rest assured, it is advancing. Jesus prayed, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10) The kingdom represents a return to God’s original plan for humankind; a time when it comprised both heaven and earth. Then, his relationship with people was so intimate he walked on earth in the cool of the morning and interacted, face-to-face with them. (Genesis 3:8) But, Satan, a fallen angel, introduced the disobedience of sin, severing that relationship.

Reign implies absolute influence and control. And there is a battle for every human soul. Two kingdoms are in direct opposition and deadly competition. God has always reigned in heaven. But since his ejection from heaven, Satan has ruled the earth. Until Jesus’s reign is completely established, Satan is the ruler of the world. Whether you realize it or not, you are a citizen of one kingdom or the other. If you are not serving God as a disciple of Jesus, you are serving Satan and if nothing changes you are destined to spend eternity with him and his angels in the place of punishment reserved for them. (Matthew 25:41) Those who continually resist the gospel have been spiritually blinded. (2 Corinthians 4:4) But God has always offered a way to leave Satan’s kingdom. He has reigned in the hearts and lives of everyone who demonstrated faith in him before the incarnation; people like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Ruth and David.  Since then, he has been both savior and lord in all who are Christ’s disciples.

For now, the best way to understand the kingdom concept is “already,” but “not yet.” The kingdom exists in the hearts of believers who are striving to live God’s way in the world. But, his consolidated kingdom will eventually encompass all of creation. Until then he has given divine ruling authority to Jesus (Luke 22:29), who proclaimed his supernatural rule during his earthly ministry. (John 18:36) Although there is a spiritual battle raging for control of human souls (Ephesians 6:12), the end of the story has already been written. God’s kingdom on earth will be fully restored when Jesus returns, (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) Satan is destroyed (Revelation 20:10) and all believers who have died are raised to eternal life and clothed in incorruptible bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:53-54) Once he has completed his rule by subduing all enemies, Jesus will return the kingdom to his Father. (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) When that happens God will live among his people for all eternity. (Revelation 21:3) God wins!

[1] G.E Ladd, “Kingdom of Christ, God, Heaven,” Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter A. Elwell, (Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing, 2001) p. 658.