The Kingdom Of God

The nature of the kingdom.

The kingdom of God (heaven) carries the idea of God coming into the world to assert His power, glory, and rights against the dominion of Satan and the present course of this world. It is more than salvation or the church; it is God expressing Hiself with power in all His works.

1. The kingdom is primarily an assertion of divine power in action.
   
   
   1. strong>Jobn 14:23; 20:22
      God has begun His spiritual rule in the hearts and in the midst of His people.
      
      
   2. Isaiah 64:1; Mark 9:1; 1 Cor. 4:20
      His kingdom is now present in the world with power. We must not conceive of His power as material or political but as spiritual.
      
      
   3. John 18:36
      The kingdom is not a religio-political theocracy; it is not a matter of social or political dominion over the nations or kingdoms of this world.
      
      
   4. Mat. 26:52; John 18:36
      God does not intend at this time to redeem and reform the world through social or political activism, force, or violent action.
      
      
   5. John 15.19; Romans 12:1-2; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; 4:4
      The world throughout this age will remain an enemy of God and His people.
      
      
   6. Rev. 19:11-21
      The rule of God by direct judgment will occur only at the end of this age.
      
      
2. Because God asserts Himself with power, the world enters into a crisis.
   
   
   1. strong>Mat. 4:3; 12:29; Mark 1:24
      This power fills the devil's empire with alarm.
      
      
   2. Mat. 3:1-2; 4:17; Mark 1:14-15
      Everyone is confronted with the decision whether to submit to God's rule or not.
      
      
   3. Mark 1:15
      The necessary and fundamental condition of entry into the kingdom of of God is, "repent ye, and believe the gospel".
      
      
3. God's breaking into our world with power involves:
   
   
   1. Matthew 12:28; John 18:36
      Spiritual power over Satan's rule and dominion.
      
      
      • John 12:3l; 16:1I The comong of the kingdom is the beginning of the destruction of Satan's rule.
      • Mark 1:34,39; 3:14-15; Acts 26:18 The comong of the kingdom is the beginning of the deliverance of mankind from the demonic.
      • Rom. 6 The comong of the kingdom is the beginning of the deliverance of mankind from sin.
        
        
   2. Matthew 4:23, 9,35; Acts 4:30; 8:7
      Power to work Miracles and to heal the sick.
      
      
   3. Matthew 11:5; John 16:8-l1; Acts 4:33
      The preaching of the gospel, bringing conviction of sin, righteousness, and.judgment.
      
      
   4. John 3:3; 17:17; Acts 2:38-40; 2 Cor. 6:14-18
      The salvation and sanctification of those who repent and believe the gospel.
      
      
   5. Acts 1:8; 2:4
      The baptism in the Holy Spirit with power to witness for Christ.
      
      
4. Romans 14:17
   An essential evidence that one is experiencing the kingdom of God is a life of "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost".
   
   
5. This kingdom has both a present and future aspect.
   
   
   • It is a present reality in the world today (Mark 1:15; Luke 18:16-17; Col. 1:13; Hebrews 12:28), yet God's rule and power are not completely realized. The work and influence of Satan and evil men will continue until the end of the age (I Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Rev. 19:19-20:10).
     
     
   • The future manifestation of God's glory, power, and kingdom will occur when Jesus returns to judge the world (Matthew 24:30; Luke 21:27; Rev. 19:11-20; 20:1-15). The ultimate fulfillment of the kingdom comes when Christ finally triumphs over evil and opposition and delivers up the kingdom to God (I Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 20:7-21:8; Mark 1:15).
     
     

Believer's role in the kingdom.

The New Testament also has much to say about the role of the believer in the kingdom of God.

1. Matthew 5:10; 6:33
   It is the believer's responsibility to seek unceasingly the kingdom of God in all its manifestations, hungering and thirsting for God's presence and power both in this life and in the midst of the Christian community.
   
   
2. Mat. 11:12
   Jesus gives additional information on the nature of kingdom people. There He indicates that the kingdom of heaven is taken hold of by forceful people who are committed to breaking away from the sinful and immoral practices of the human race and who turn to Christ, His Word, and His righteous ways. No matter what may be the cost to themselves, such people vigorously seek the kingdom in all its power. In other words, experiencing the kingdom of heaven and all its blessings requires ernest endeavor and constant exertions (a fight of faith), accompanied by a strong will to resist Satan, sin, and one's perverse society.
   
   
3. The kingdom of God it not for those who seldom pray, compromise with the world, neglect the Word, and have little spiritual hunger. It is for men like Joseph (Gen. 39:9), Nathan (II Sam. 12:7), Elijah (II Kings 18:21), Daniel and his three friends (Dan. 1:8, 3:16-18), Mordecai (Esth. 3:4-5), Peter and John (Acts, 4:19-20), Stephen (Acts 6:8, 7:51), and Paul (Phil. 3:13-14); and it is for women like Debborah (Judg. 4:9), Ruth (Ruth 1:16-18), Esther (Esth. 4:16), Mary (Luke 1:26-35), Anna (Luke 2:36-38),.and Lydia (Acts 16:14-15,40).