​WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD ?
                                                                                                                                                                 By W. G. Guy

          There are a few questions that need to be answered to understand what the kingdom of God is.  What is it?  Where is it? When is it? How do we get access into it?

          First we need to understand that a kingdom is the domain of a king.  It is where  the king has absolute authority and rule over the entire land, known as his kingdom; where he has dominion.  Thus the kingdom of God is His dominion over all of the universe; the heavens and the earth.
         
          However, God, in His absolute majesty, assigned mankind to be in charge over the earth on His behalf, and to have dominion over it.

Genesis 1:26 –  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Psalm 115:16 – The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

          The problem that arose is when the corruption of sin allowed the devil to gain rule over the earth as man, (through the woman), submitted to Satan’s ploy and gained the dominion over the kingdoms of man in this world.

Luke 4:5-6 –  And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.   And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

          God had a plan of redemption all along that would restore man’s dominion over the earth.  However that plan requires that a man become the redeemer, the blood sacrifice for the original sin and all following sins of mankind.  That man is Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, who came for that very purpose.  It is only through Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for all of mankind that restoration and access into the kingdom of God can be obtained.

        Jesus began His ministry by preaching about the kingdom of God as He traveled throughout land of Israel.  What was it that He declared about the kingdom of God?  He explained what was foretold by Moses and the prophets, and the meaning and purpose of the blood sacrifices that they made as representing Him.

Luke 4:43 – And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.

          As Jesus traveled about, He constantly presented the kingdom of God and all of it benefits, which include healing and deliverance from demonic oppression.

Luke 9:11 – And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Luke 9:1-2  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

           Jesus also instructed His disciples to also go and preach about the kingdom of God to give people an example of what is in the kingdom and its blessings, in addition to the hope of the future.  Healing was the evidence the kingdom of God was not only being presented, but was also being experienced and demonstrated to prove it.

Luke 10:9 & 11 –  And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.   Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of
God is come nigh unto you.

          Jesus presented Himself as the sacrificial offering for the sins of mankind.  He used the example of the Bread of Life that must be partaken of.  Some people had a hard time accepting this as He said He offered himself as the Bread of life, that is the final, and complete, sacrifice to bring people into the kingdom (domain) of God.

John 6:60 –  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

          Jesus told His followers that their first priority is to “seek first the kingdom of God”, before seeking those material necessities that God knows we all need.

Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

          Thus everything we need is available in the kingdom of God.  That is why we are told to ask, seek and knock – (Luke 11:9-10).   
          There are two aspects to the kingdom of God that we need to recognize: the present form, which is entirely spiritual; and the future form which is a higher quality of spiritual as well as being material (physical).  Jesus instructed His disciples on how to pray, and one of the items to pray for is for His kingdom to come.  This refers to spiritual blessing and what is available at this time from God that is of His kingdom.

Matthew 6:9-13 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.   Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.   Give us this day our daily bread.   And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.   And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.    

        The spiritual quality that we are able to experience on earth is available now by being “born-again” by the Spirit of Christ being formed in us.  This allows us to grow in His grace to be conformed to His image, to be Christ like, (or Christian).  As we grow in Him we advance into His character and nature, or His glory.

Colossians 1:27 – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

          This is a progressive experience since our spirit is reborn instantly, (saved); but our mind needs to learn and to comply with His Word and His Will; and this occurs progressively.

Romans 12:1-1 –  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.   And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

          We can experience His kingdom on earth at this time because, for the born-again, His kingdom realm is within us spiritually.

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. 
 
       Jesus’ disciples were concerned about when His future anticipated kingdom would be fully experienced as they asked the question:

Luke19:11 – And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

          Jesus declares that the time of the full manifestation of His Kingdom, the time that He returns to set up His kingdom on earth, is yet to come in the future. In the meantime it continues to grow spiritually as represented in His church.  (At least that is what church is supposed to be doing, though many fail and represent man’s ways instead – Matthew 7:21-27).  Also there are many things you will endure that will challenge your faith and obedience.

Luke 17:34-36 –  For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.   But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.   And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

          The days of Noah were filled with corruption and violence:

Genesis 6:13 – And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

          Note: before Jesus returns to set up His kingdom He will bring judgment to the wicked on earth, just like in the days of Noah.

Revelation 6:15-17 – And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;   And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

          Thus there are many people that will not be allowed to enter into the kingdom of God.  This is because His kingdom is founded on love, righteousness and holiness; those who practice evil, and whose sins have not been repented of and forgiven, cannot enter.

Hebrews 12:14 –Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

1 Corinthians 6:9 – Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Galatians 5:19-21 –  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:5 – For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

          As Jesus came to fulfill the will of God the Father in offering Himself to make atonement for our sins, He told the people that it is God’s divine plan to bring them into His kingdom.

Luke 12:32 –   Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

          Entrance into the kingdom of God is not by religious rituals and practices.

Romans 14:17 –  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

          Then Jesus tells people how important it is to seek His kingdom because it prepares them to be like Him as they develop spiritually.

Luke 13:18-21 – Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.   And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?  It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

          Jesus used these examples to represent the accomplishment of faith and faithfulness (obedience to His Word).

        When His disciples asked when His kingdom would come He described many social issues that would evolve and become worse and worse before His return to set up His kingdom.

Luke 21:31-32 – So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

Luke 16:16 – The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

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.

          The Jews of Jesus day were looking for a physical kingdom that would defeat the Roman Empire.  Jesus had to explain that His kingdom has a much higher purpose that they could not perceive of.

John 18:36 – 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.

          In the mean time we, who are true believers, have a job and a commission to complete.

Matthew 24:12 – 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.

          Then finally comes the end of the government and the rule of man (and demons) on earth at the seventh, or last trumpet.

Revelation 10:7 – But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

          The seventh trumpet is the very last trumpet; there are no more trumpet blasts after this one.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 –  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,   In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

          Then comes the kingdom of God that we are anxiously looking forward to when Jesus returns to rule and reign as LORD over all.

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.
  
        Are you ready for this last trumpet?  Will you hear it?  Because it may likely be a spiritual trumpet that can only be heard in your redeemed, born-again, spirit.