The word kingdom appears hundreds of times in the Bible. Yet many people think first of a place rather than a king. In Scripture, a kingdom is not simply a territory. It is the rule or reign of a king over his people.
That is why the Kingdom of God cannot be understood apart from Jesus Christ.
Every kingdom has four basic elements:
A king.
A people.
A rule.
A realm in which that rule is recognized.
The Kingdom of God is no different.
God is the ultimate King, and Jesus Christ now reigns with all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Those who submit to Him are His people, living under His rule and enjoying the blessings of His kingdom.
This helps us understand why Jesus spoke so often about the Kingdom. He was not merely announcing the arrival of a new government. He was announcing God's reign through His promised Messiah.
Jesus taught His followers to pray,
"Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
Notice the connection.
God's Kingdom is seen wherever His will is gladly obeyed.
That is why the New Testament sometimes speaks of the Kingdom as a present reality and sometimes looks forward to its final and glorious fulfillment. Christ reigns now, yet we still look forward to the day when every enemy will be defeated and God's purposes will be completely fulfilled.
The Kingdom of God is also described in several ways throughout the New Testament.
It is compared to a mustard seed that begins small and grows large.
It is compared to leaven that quietly transforms the whole lump of dough.
It is compared to a treasure hidden in a field and a pearl of great price.
Each picture teaches something different, but together they remind us that God's Kingdom is unlike the kingdoms of this world. It grows through the preaching of the gospel, changes lives from the inside out, and calls people to joyful submission to Christ.
Understanding this basic idea prepares us for everything that follows.
Before asking when the Kingdom came or how it relates to the church, we must first understand what the Kingdom is.
It is God's reign through His Son over a people who gladly submit to His authority.
Continue Your Study
What Did the Old Testament Promise About the Kingdom?
Long before Jesus was born, the prophets spoke of a coming King and an everlasting Kingdom.
What did they promise?
And how did those promises prepare the way for Christ?
Related Bible Studies
Why Does the Bible Call the Church the Kingdom of God?
What Is the Church?
Why Does Authority Matter?
Companion Video
What Is the Kingdom of God?
Read First. Conclude Later.