What Is the Kingdom of God? Understanding Jesus' Central Message
What is meant by the Kingdom of God? To comprehend Jesus' message in the center.
Bible Verses (KJV)
The Kingdom of God is coming near: He that is without sin, let him first cast the first stone.
— Mark 1:15 (KJV)
Additional Supporting Verses
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…"
— Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
Neither will they say, Lo here! or, Lo there! but the kingdom of God is within you.
— Luke 17:20–21 (KJV)
Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world…
— John 18:36 (KJV)
📅 Approximate Year Written
* Matthew: Around AD 50–70
* Mark: Around AD 55–65
* Luke: Around AD 60–62
* John: Around AD 85–95
One of the most significant topics of the Bible is the Kingdom of God. Jesus spoke about it over 80 times in the Gospels, and it was the main point in His teaching and preaching!
Historical Background
At the time of Jesus, many Jews believed that the Messiah would bring a great earthly kingdom to Israel and liberate them from the Romans.
Jesus rather proclaimed a kingdom that was first to be in the hearts of the people before it would be complete and perfect when He comes again.
When Jesus began His ministry, He said:
The Kingdom of God is at hand: "Repent ye, and believe the good news.
— Mark 1:15 (KJV)
Many were shocked at his message, as he made known that spiritual change was more important than political restoration.
What is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God is God's rule and reign over all creation and particularly over the life of those who believe in Him and obey Him.
It's not mainly:
* A country.
* A political government.
* A geographical location.
Instead, it is God's providence that:
* Changes hearts.
Invites people to repentance.
* Brings rightness, peace and eternal life
Once will it be completely uncovered when Christ comes again.
The Kingdom has two dimensions:There are two dimensions of the Kingdom:
One of the most important lessons in the Bible is that the Kingdom of God is here, and it is also coming.
1. This is the Kingdom of God:
Jesus' teaching was that God's Kingdom had started through His ministry.
The Kingdom was here when people believed and accepted God's leadership.
Jesus said:
The kingdom of God is in you.
— Luke 17:21 (KJV)
Its meaning is "in your midst" or "among you," because Jesus Himself, the King of the Universe, stood among the people. Others interpret it to mean God's rule over the believer. Both perspectives highlight that the Kingdom starts with God's presence and rule and not with political power.
2. The Kingdom is a future thing.
God's Kingdom has started, but it is not yet fully realized.
The Bible says that Jesus will come back to:
* Judge evil.
* Defeat death completely.
* Establish perfect justice.
Make a new heaven and a new earth.
The "already" and the "not yet" is the tension in which believers live.
Jesus taught in parables about the Kingdom of God.Jesus spoke Parables about the Kingdom of God.
Jesus often taught about the Kingdom in parables.
The Mustard Seed
(Matthew 13:31–32)
The Kingdom is started small, and it becomes great.
The Yeast (Leaven)
(Matthew 13:33)
God's Kingdom works in the lives of people silently.
The Hidden Treasure
(Matthew 13:44)
The Kingdom is so precious that anything is worth giving up to get.
Now is the time to start sowing the seed.Now is the time to get sowing started.
(Matthew 13:45–46)
The knowledge of God is more precious than all earthly possessions.
What makes Jesus the king?
The Kingdom needs a King.The Kingdom needs a King.
Jesus is known in the New Testament as:
* The Messiah.
* The Son of David.
* King of kings.
* Lord of lords.
His kingdom is not of this world.
Jesus said to him, "Simply sit there and wait.Jesus said to him, "Just wait.
My kingdom is not of this world.
— John 18:36 (KJV)
This means that His power is not derived from man's political structures, although it will reach all of creation.
Historical Perspective
The Kingdom of God was the main theme of Jesus' ministry, and historians concur that this was the case.
It was used in the Gospels, and was influential in the early Church preaching.
The historians suggest that the Jews of the first century had a unique understanding of the Kingdom, and the spiritual interpretation of Jesus' teaching is based on Christian theology.
The Kingdom is like to this:The Kingdom is similar to this:
Not exactly.
The Bible makes a distinction between:
Heaven
* God's dwelling place.
Kingdom of God
God's kingdom and power.
The Kingdom of God is at hand, wherever God's will is done.
So, it is the teaching of the Bible that God's Kingdom will be realized in its entirety when the Lord returns and brings the new creation.
Real-World Example
Suppose a new king ascends the throne.
Initially, his rule is only accepted by half the kingdom.
As years pass more people are prepared to listen to him and his rule becomes known throughout.
Jesus spoke of God's Kingdom in a similar manner.
It starts with changed hearts now, and will be openly acknowledged in all creation at the end of the age.
Easy Explanation
The Kingdom of God is God's rule; God's Kingship.
The Kingdom exists when people believe in Jesus, obey His Word and live according to His will.
On one day Jesus will come again to rule His Kingdom in fullness; Righteousness, Peace and Justice shall have no end.
Did You Know?
Jesus talked the most about the Kingdom of God (or the Kingdom of Heaven, in Matthew) of any subject.
Matthew's expression "Kingdom of Heaven" is used most often, and Mark's, Luke's and John's "Kingdom of God" are equivalent.
The prayer for the coming of the Kingdom is included in the Lord's Prayer.
The Book of Revelation is a book that speaks of the ultimate fulfillment of God's Kingdom, the time when Christ will be King forever.
The Kingdom is open to people from all nations, tribes, languages and people who trust in Christ.
Historical and Biblical Consensus
It is clear from the Scriptures that the most important aspect of Jesus' ministry was the Kingdom of God.
The majority grasp the Kingdom as God's kingship which started with Jesus' first advent and will be fully realized at His second advent.
Though there are disagreements about specifics and timing with regard to end-times prophecy, Christians are united in beliefs about Jesus as the King and God's kingdom coming first to defeat sin and death.
Spiritual Reflection
Jesus didn't just ask people to believe some things.
He told them to enter into God's Kingdom if they repented, believed in the Gospel and followed Him.
We are called to live under God's rule today, and we look forward to the day of Christ's second coming, when all things will be new.
As Jesus taught:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness..."
— Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
The Kingdom of God starts to manifest itself in our hearts when we are ruled by Him, for our priorities, relationships, and our hopes all start to flow in the light of His eternal Kingdom.
📌 Key Takeaway
The Kingdom of God is God's sovereign rule over His creation and especially in the lives of those who trust in Jesus Christ. It is not only a place, but a kingdom that started with Christ's first coming and will be manifested at His second. The heart of Jesus's message was the Kingdom, and He invited everyone to: Repent, Believe the Gospel, and Live under God's loving rule.
📚 References
Scripture
Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)
Matthew 5–7; 6:33; 13
Mark 1:14–15
Luke 17:20–21
John 18:36
Romans 14:17
Revelation 11:15
Revelation 21–22
Historical Sources
The New Bible Dictionary
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible
Jesus and the Victory of God
This is the Gospel according to Mark.
Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels
About This Article
This article endeavors to describe the Kingdom of God as it's found in the Bible, as Jesus taught it, and as known biblical scholars have taught it. It teaches the difference between what is currently happening in the Kingdom of God and what will happen in the Kingdom of God, and how it fits into the Gospel message.
Classification
Topic: Teachings of Jesus / Kingdom of God
Biblical References: Matthew 5–7; 13; Mark 1:14–15; Luke 17:20–21; John 18:36; Romans 14:17; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 21–22
Historical Status: Supported. The concept of the Kingdom of God became the focus of Jesus' preaching and was an integral part of the early Christian faith.The Kingdom of God became a central theme in Jesus' teachings and an important belief of the early Christian church.
Theological: Kingdom of God is not an archaeological object. The purposes of archaeology are to shed light on the historical context of first-century Judea, but not to substantiate theological statements about God's rule.
Interpretation Status: The Kingdom of God is generally understood among Christians to be God's sovereign rule, made manifest through Jesus Christ. It is generally interpreted as a current reality for believers, and a future kingdom that will be completed at the return of Christ, but some Christian traditions have different interpretations for end-times.
Editorial Note: This article is based on the King James Version (KJV), the context of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as found in biblical scholarship and the historical context of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Guiding Verses differentiates between historical evidence, biblical teaching and theological interpretation and offers the Kingdom of God as the main message of Jesus Christ.
