Comments on the Kingdom of God

The kingdom of God is one of the most exciting and intriguing topics in the Bible. My previous post focused on the “kingdom of heaven” in Matthew. Since Matthew’s “kingdom of heaven” is synonymous with the “kingdom of God,” I thought it would be best to include the remaining New Testament references to God’s kingdom and combine them with Matthew’s. These are not all of the comments on the kingdom, but many of them, followed by striking features of this divine dominion.

Let’s begin by noting who proclaimed the kingdom of God.

Proclaimers of the Kingdom

• John the Baptist: Jesus said, the good news of the kingdom has been preached since John “and everyone is forcing their way into it” (Lk. 16:16).
• Jesus: at the start of his ministry he announced its nearness (Matt. 4:23), during his ministry he told parables of the kingdom (Matt. 13), and after his resurrection, he “spoke about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3).
• Jesus’ disciples: Jesus told his disciples to proclaim, “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt. 10:7).
• Philip “proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” in Samaria (Acts 8:12).
• Paul argued persuasively about the kingdom of God in Ephesus (Acts 19:8) and “proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” for two years in Rome (Acts 28:31).
• Many others: Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14).

Nature of the Kingdom

• Revealed to Some; Hidden from Others: Before explaining the parable of the sower to his disciples, Jesus told them: “the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them” (Matt. 13:11).
• Misunderstood: When Jesus approached Jerusalem, “the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once” (Lk. 19:11), but he corrected their misunderstanding with a parable. And after Jesus’ resurrection, his disciples continued to misunderstand the kingdom by associating it with the restoration of the kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6).
• A gift: Jesus said, “your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Lk. 12:32) and it has been “prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt. 25:34).
• A joyful celebration: a huge feast (Matt. 8:11) where Jesus and his followers will eat Passover (Lk. 22:16) and drink new wine (Matt. 26:29). And the disciples will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Lk. 22:29-30).
• Righteousness, peace and joy: Regarding the dietary controversy in Rome and the importance of unity, Paul writes, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
• Near: John, Jesus, and the disciples went around proclaiming that “the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 10:7).
• Present: In response to when the kingdom would come, Jesus said, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed . . . because the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Lk. 17:20-21). In other words, you can’t see it arrive because it’s already here. In what sense? Since Jesus is the king of God’s kingdom and he was present, the kingdom of God was in their midst. Jesus also told the Pharisees, “The kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matt. 12:28). And Paul told the Colossian believers: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14).
• Powerful and active on Earth: God’s kingdom was conquering Satan’s kingdom through Jesus’ power over evil spirits (Matt. 12:28). And Paul’s actions showed the Corinthian church that God’s kingdom is “not a matter of talk, but of power” (1 Cor. 4:20).
• Connected to Earth: Jesus gave the keys of the kingdom to Peter (Matt. 16:19). Peter was the first to preach the good news to the Gentiles (Acts 10), essentially opening a door for them into the kingdom.
• In harmony with God’s will: God’s kingdom is the place where God’s will is done: “your kingdom come, your will be done” (Matt. 6:10).
• Individuals vary in their proximity to it: The teacher of the law who responded wisely was “not far from the kingdom of God” (Mk. 12:34). And tax collectors and prostitutes who believed John the Baptist were “entering the kingdom of God ahead” of religious leaders (Matt. 21:31).
• “Not of this world”: Jesus said that his kingdom is “not of this world.” His kingdom is “from another place” (Jn. 18:36) so it does not originate from the world as we know it. The criminal on the cross said to Jesus who was dying, “remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk. 23:42). Although Jesus was on the verge of death, this man believed Jesus was going into his kingdom so it is not a physical kingdom according to the laws of physics we know. Paul calls it a “heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:18).
• Pure: At the end of the age a separation will occur between wheat and weeds (Matt. 13:37-43), wicked and righteous (13:47-51), sheep and goats (25:31-46). “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (13:43). Likewise, Paul says that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5).
• Light: Paul calls it a “kingdom of light” (Col. 1:12).
• Eternal: The angel Gabriel announced that Jesus’ kingdom will never end (Lk. 1:33). God’s kingdom is also called “imperishable” (1 Cor. 15:50), “unshakable” (Heb. 12:28) and the “eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11).
• Belongs to the beloved Son (Col. 1:13).
• Handed over to God the Father: After the Son has “destroyed all dominion, authority, and power,” he will hand over the kingdom to God the Father (1 Cor. 15:24).

Inhabitants of the Kingdom

• The poor: Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Lk. 6:20). James writes, “Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” It is impossible for the rich to enter (Matt. 19:23-24), “but with God all things are possible” (v. 26).
• The poor in spirit: Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).
• Little children: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matt. 19:14).
• Those who become like little children: Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:2).
• Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and many from all over the world: Jesus said, “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 8:11).
• Tax collectors and prostitutes who believed John the Baptist (Matt. 21:31).
• Those who are persecuted because of righteousness (Matt. 5:10). Likewise, Paul encouraged the early believers, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
• Those who are “born again”—“no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (John 3:3) and “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (v. 5).
• Jesus’ flock: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (Lk. 12:32).
• Those who love God (Jam. 2:5) or those who are genuinely righteous (Matt. 5:20) and do God’s will (Matt. 7:21)
• Those who served others will be welcomed in to the kingdom when the Son of Man comes in his glory. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world'” (Matt. 25:31-36).
• Those who grow in godly qualities will “receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:11).
• Paul: the Lord will bring him “safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:18).
• Colossian church: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14).
• God’s people transformed: “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” so we must first be changed (1 Cor. 15:50-55). We cannot enter the imperishable kingdom in our perishable bodies.

Location and Time

• First century: Jesus told the Pharisees, “the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Lk. 17:21). (Most translations use “in your midst” or “among you,” but some use “within you.” I tend to favor the first two options for these reasons: Jesus was talking to the Pharisees who were not known for being close to God and no other verses say the kingdom is inside humans.). Also, some of Jesus’ disciples would not die before seeing “the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (Matt. 16:28). This is probably a reference to Christ’s transfiguration and resurrection (see this post). When the glory of Christ is revealed, especially in his triumph over death, the future kingdom becomes a present reality. Likewise, Paul told the Colossian church that they have already been brought into God’s kingdom: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14).
• Near: Brought near by the proclamations of John (Matt. 3:2), Jesus (Matt. 4:23), and the disciples’ (Lk. 10:9-11)
• Connected to world events: “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near” (Lk. 21:31).
• Future: Will come to earth (Matt. 6:10). This is reminiscent of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God (Rev. 21:2). After the seventh trumpet sounds, loud voices say, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). Likewise, after the great dragon was hurled to the earth, a loud voice said, “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah” (Rev. 12:10).

Parables of the Kingdom

• Like a mustard seed and yeast—starts small and grows mysteriously (Matt. 13:31-33)
• Like a treasure and fine pearls (Matt. 13:44-46). Therefore, it’s worth taking drastic actions now so that we can enter (Mk. 9:42-49).
• Like a king canceling debts (Matt. 18:22-35)
• Like a landowner paying all his workers the same wage (Matt. 20:1-16)
• Like a king inviting people to a wedding feast for his son (Matt. 22:1-14)
• Like ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom—five were prepared and five were unprepared (Matt. 25:1-13)
• Like a rich man entrusting his wealth to servants then going away. When he returned he called them to account for what they did with his wealth (Matt. 25:14-30).

Striking Features of the Kingdom

1. There will be an incredible celebration in God’s kingdom. Interesting people from all over the world will be eating and drinking together. God is not a joy killer, but the ultimate joy giver.
2. It’s amazing that the criminal on the cross turned to Jesus who was about to die and said, “remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Lk. 23:42). Imagine saying that to a guy being executed. The criminal could not have been thinking about a normal physical kingdom, but something after death. Likewise, Paul expects to die at the end of 2 Timothy and writes, “the Lord . . . will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (4:18). The kingdom is a realm we can enter after death. place to enter after death.
3. The kingdom of God turns traditional human status upside down. The despised in this world, such as the poor, children, and those who have been persecuted, are welcomed into the kingdom. Hence, to enter we must become “poor in spirit” and like little children. Won’t it be incredible to live in a place where everyone is genuinely humble?
4. The kingdom of God was the major theme of Jesus’ preaching from the start of his ministry until he ascended to heaven.
5. According to Jesus’ teaching the kingdom of God will dynamically grow like a seed into a tree or yeast spreading through dough.
6. God’s kingdom did not originate on Earth. It is “not of this world” . . . it is “from another place” (Jn. 18:36). But it will come to Earth in the future (Matt. 6:10). For now, the proclamation of the kingdom enables it to “come near” (Matt. 4:17). And Jesus even told his audience that it is “in your midst” (Lk. 17:21).
7. The timing of the kingdom is complicated. Does it already exist or will it only be established in the future? Things are complicated because we are time-bound creatures trying to understand an eternal reality so we are dealing with the relationship between time and eternity. Further, since the Word became flesh this eternal reality has already intersected our time-bound existence, is currently doing so with the presence of the Holy Spirit, and will do so again with Christ’s return, eventually leading to this announcement: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). Jesus said the kingdom “is in your midst,” (Lk. 17:21), “has come upon you” (Matt. 12:28), and tax collectors and prostitutes were entering it (Matt. 21:31). And Paul wrote that God has “rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Col. 1:13). So the kingdom of God must already exist, and in some way, God’s people on Earth have already entered it. But it cannot be seen now as a distinct earthly entity and we cannot fully inherit it in our present mortal bodies. While the kingdom is here, it has not yet fully arrived so we pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth. The separation of the weeds and wheat has not occurred, the feast has not begun, and our bodies and planet have not been transformed. This means that the kingdom comes in stages. As Jesus said, it’s like a mustard seed that grows into a large plant. So when we think of the kingdom, we must consider its development: Are we thinking of the kingdom in its seed form or its fully grown form? What has already happened that relates to this eternal kingdom? The resurrection of Christ. He is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20)—the beginning of the “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17) or the “renewal of all things” (Matt. 19:28). This transformation process will continue with his followers and the entire universe. He will “transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Phil. 3:21) and “the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8:23). Thus, Jesus’ resurrection is the kingdom of God in its seed form. It is the yeast that will work its way through the whole dough of creation (Matt. 13:33). It is the power that will lift all things from the bondage to decay.
8. Seventh, Paul’s statement helps us understand the kingdom on an experiential level: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). God’s kingdom, then, in its final stage, is an eternal realm of purity and light filled with humble and transformed people living in righteousness, peace, and joy on a renewed Earth. And we can begin to experience these qualities now. Do you see why Jesus continually talked about this topic?

Les Bridgeman

After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, I served as a high school Bible teacher in Asia. I enjoy traveling, writing, and playing the drums. My latest book focuses on Paul’s work as a tentmaker and what it means for today.