What is the Kingdom of God, Anyway?

The Kingdom of God.  What do you suppose it means?

The "Kingdom of God" is rather foundational when it comes to understanding scripture and our hope for the future.  Given that it was what Jesus came and spoke of, it seems very serious that we understand what it really is.

Consider:  When Jesus walked the earth, did he come to teach only about himself?  Far from it.  He came to teach about God's Kingdom; the very kingdom that will restore everything to the way God, our Creator,  originally intended.  It's the very kingdom that will bring about the promises given at Revelation 21:3,4.

Here are some examples of where the Kingdom of God is spoken of in the Bible:

Matt. 4:23-Then he went throughout the Whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the Kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity among the people." 

Mark 1:14,15-Now after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, preaching the good news of God and saying "The appointed time has been fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent, and have faith in the good news."

Luke 4:43-But he said to them: "I must also declare the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other cities, because for this I was sent."

Matthew 24:14- and this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

There are several more examples that could be added here, but the point is, is that the focus of Jesus's teaching was not about himself, but rather what he had been sent to preach about and what he wants us to preach; namely, the good news of God's Kingdom.  Everything else sort of just falls into place once the Kingdom is understood (including everything about Jesus).

I am sure that most of us could agree that if it is so stressed by Jesus that this good news is to be preached, then it is of great importance that we understand what this kingdom is.  However, it may surprise you to know that there are several different assumptions to what "God's Kingdom" means.

*Some people believe that God's kingdom is limited to Heaven.  That it is the place that we enter when we die.

*Some people believe it to be simply a "state of being". They believe that the Kingdom of God is in our minds and hearts.

*Some people believe that the Kingdom is actually Jesus himself. 

Interestingly, the Bible is very clear on what the Kingdom of God is.  It isn't a secret, nor should it be.  Both Jehovah and his Son, Jesus, wants us to not only understand clearly, but also to preach about it to others.  How could we preach if we don't know?

When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, he said,  "Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth." (Matthew 6:10)

At Daniel 2:44, we read: “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever..."

When we look at these two scriptures, we see that 1) God will set up a Kingdom, 2) that it will never be destroyed,  3) when that Kingdom comes, God's Will will take place on earth just as it is in Heaven, and 4) that it's something we should pray for.

How neat is that?

God will set up a kingdom.  Daniel 2:44 shows us that this kingdom is a real kingdom.  It is not figurative.  It is not a condition of the heart.  It is a real government.  How do we know?  This kingdom will crush all other kingdoms and will remain forever.  During that time, we will see God's Will being done on earth as it is in Heaven. By looking around on earth, we can see that this (God's will done on earth) is a future event that we can look forward to.

God's Kingdom has been established in Heaven.  And remember, a kingdom has a king. God has put into place a very special and capable king.  Yes, Jesus (Daniel 7:13, 14)...The perfect king! Very soon, God's Kingdom will exercise its authority over the earth.  When it does, we can look forward to wonderful things:

Revelation 21:3.4-"With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

How awe-inspiring!  What government can say "no tears; no pain; and death will be no more"?

Why do we need to preach this kingdom?  By means of this great work that Jesus instituted, a great crowd of people are being united from all nations to accept and join God's Kingdom.  Meek people from around the world are becoming subjects of this kingdom under the King, Christ Jesus.  When God's Kingdom destroys this wicked system, those who are obedient to Christ Jesus will find their way into a "paradise" such as that which was originally created for mankind.  A time when Jehovah's name will be cleared of all blemishes and slander.  A time when every person on earth will praise and recognize the sovereignty & direction of our Creator.  A time of pure truth, love and peace.  This is why we need to keep preaching and praying for God's Kingdom!

Isaiah 55:11-So my word that goes out of my mouth will be.

It will not return to me without results,

But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight,

And it will have sure success in what I send it to do.

What an amazing work!  Will you join Jehovah's Kingdom?

Micah 4:1-5
In the final part of the days

The mountain of the house of Jehovah

Will become firmly established above the top of the mountains,

And it will be raised up above the hills,
And to it peoples will stream.

And many nations will go and say:

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah

And to the house of the God of Jacob.

He will instruct us about his ways,

And we will walk in his paths.”

For law will go out of Zion,

And the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem.

He will render judgment among many peoples

And set matters straight respecting mighty nations far away.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

And their spears into pruning shears.

Nation will not lift up sword against nation,

Nor will they learn war anymore.

They will sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree,

And no one will make them afraid,

For the mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken.

For all the peoples will walk, each in the name of its god,

But we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God forever and ever.