A Few Thoughts About the Kingdom of God
Definition
B1 A kingdom where God (Yahweh) reigns: Psalms 47:7-8 NKJV For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding. 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.
B2 Even though God is king, most have not submitted to His rule. For example: Zechariah 7:11-12 NRSV But they refused to listen, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears in order not to hear. 12 They made their hearts adamant in order not to hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.
B3 He is the one and only king, but He is on a journey, so to speak, and has delegated it to his servants. He will return some day, judge His servants, and rule on earth as He does in heaven.
C1 One and only King: Psalms 145:13 GNB Your rule is eternal, and you are king forever. The LORD is faithful to his promises; he is merciful in all his acts.
C2 He is on a journey. See the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, for example. It starts out as: Matthew 25:14 ESV For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
C3 He will return: John 14:3 EMTV And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and I will receive you unto Myself; so that where I am, there you may be also.
B4 The Kingdom of God begins in the heart of one who believes and places their trust in Jesus only. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NRSV So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
B5 Our trust in Jesus is comparable to a child trusting the parents: Matthew 18:3 GW Then he said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Characteristics of
B1 Casting demons out of people: Matthew 12:28 WEL “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
B2 Jesus is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords: Isaiah 9:6 MKJV For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
B3 When Jesus brings the Kingdom in, it will last forever: Daniel 7:13-14 WEB I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom that which will not be destroyed.
B4 The king of this kingdom will be a descendant of King David Luke 1:32-33 LEB This one will be great, and he will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. 33 And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
B5 It begins in the heart of a person when they believe Messiah. The physical kingdom of God does not come by something we do or build. Luke 17:20-21 NLT One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. 21 You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you.”
B6 Righteousness, peace, and joy are abundant in His kingdom Romans 14:17 KJV 2016 because, the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
B7 A kingdom that is separate from the world’s system: Colossians 1:13 WEL [The Father] who has rescued us from the power of darkness and has moved us into the kingdom of His dear Son.
B8 God’s kingdom is righteous in everything: Psalm 45:6 KJ2000 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever: the scepter of your kingdom is a righteous scepter.
B9 There is no swaying of God’s decisions or favoritism: Matthew 19:24 KJ2000 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Our responsibility
B1 To seek Matthew 6:33 WEL Instead, first of all, seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
B2 To do the will of God Luke 12:31 NKJV But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
B3 To repent (change your mind) and believe the Gospel Mark 1:15 NET He said, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel!
B4 To serve God Hebrews 12:28 WEL Therefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us keep holding on to grace through which we can serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear,
B5 To have it be our priority and first love (to God): Matthew 13:44 GNB The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man happens to find a treasure hidden in a field. He covers it up again, and is so happy that he goes and sells everything he has, and then goes back and buys that field.
This is only a brief start.
Study for yourselves.
Look up the kingdom, read the passages and context, think about.
Learn
A Few Thoughts About the Kingdom of God
Kingdom of God