Understanding God's Word: 'Thy Kingdom Come!'

A study of the Kingdom of God takes time. In fact, it takes a lifetime! What could be more important, more rewarding, more challenging, than to dedicate ourselves to the very purpose for which we draw each breath?

Have you ever wondered about the Kingdom of God?

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For a moment, close your eyes and wrap your mind around this phrase: The Kingdom of God. What picture developed in your mind? Many people, even those with religious backgrounds, draw a blank. Many confusing ideas about God's Kingdom often make it a hazy and distant concept, raising more questions than answers. Is the Kingdom of God in heaven? Is it on earth? Who will be in it? Is it here already, in our hearts? Are you part of it now? Will you be part of it in the future? What will you do there?

These are valid, thought-provoking questions for which God's Word provides clear, authoritative answers. Throughout the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. God focuses His servants-men, women and children, past, present and future-on that Kingdom, and He promises that all people of all ages will eventually have a chance to see the destiny, and hope, He has planned for their lives.

Researching the Kingdom of God also steers us to a personal question: Does it impact your life now? We live in a high-tech age that is bombarding our senses with thousands of distractions, all screaming for our attention. Can the Kingdom compete with Hollywood, personal computers and life in the '90s? Can it be real to us? If so, how should it affect us?

Let's take a brief journey, in BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.-study format, and find out what you need to know about the Kingdom of God.

Let's begin our study

Discussion : What is a kingdom, anyway?

The Greek word for kingdom is basileia, "primarily an abstract noun, denoting sovereignty, royal power, dominion," which also can be "a concrete noun, denoting the territory or people over whom a king rules..." ( Vine's Expository Dictionary of New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. Words ).

These meanings are standard in political science, which commonly identifies four characteristics of a state or kingdom: It must have rulers, subjects, laws and territory.

Does the Kingdom of God meet these four criteria?

• Who is its ruler? (Luke 1:26-33 [26] And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
  [27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical.; and the virgin's name was Mary.
  [28] And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
  [29] And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
  [30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
  [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
  [32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical.:
  [33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
  
  See All...; Matthew 6:10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  See All...; Ephesians 5:5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
  See All...; RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
  See All...; RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 19:11-16 [11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
  [12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
  [13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of GodThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ..
  [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
  [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
  [16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
  
  See All...). Note: The phrase "Kingdom of God" itself clearly identifies the Ruler; various scriptures define Jesus Christ's role as the One directly governing the Kingdom.
• Who are its subjects? (Isaiah 2:2-4 [2] And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
  [3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
  [4] And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
  
  See All...; Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
  See All...; Daniel 7:13-14 [13] I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
  [14] And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
  
  See All...; Micah 4:1-4 [1] But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
  [2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
  [3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
  [4] But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
  
  See All...). Note: The term "mountain" is often prophetically synonymous with "government" or "kingdom."
• What are its laws? (Jeremiah 31:31-34 [31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
  [32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
  [33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
  [34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
  
  See All...; Micah 4:2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
  See All...; Isaiah 2:2-3 [2] And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
  [3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
  
  See All...; Hebrews 8:7-13 [7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
  [8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
  [9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
  [10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
  [11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
  [12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
  [13] In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
  
  See All...).
• What territory does it govern? (Psalms 22:27-28 [27] All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
  [28] For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
  
  See All...; Psalms 72:1-11 [1] (A Psalm for Solomon.) Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
  [2] He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
  [3] The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
  [4] He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
  [5] They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
  [6] He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
  [7] In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
  [8] He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
  [9] They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
  [10] The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
  [11] Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
  
  See All...; Daniel 2:34-35 [34] Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
  [35] Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
  
  See All...; Zechariah 14:8-9 [8] And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
  [9] And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
  
  See All...).

There'll be some changes

Discussion : What will happen when God's rule is established over all the nations of the earth? Much of what we consider to be normal will change!

• Where will the new world capital be? (Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
  See All...; Micah 4:2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
  See All...).
• Not all areas of knowledge will increase; some will just disappear (Isaiah 2:1-4 [1] The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
  [2] And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
  [3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
  [4] And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
  
  See All...). What other areas besides war do you think might be forgotten?
• The animal kingdom is in for big changes (Isaiah 11:6-9 [6] The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
  [7] And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
  [8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
  [9] They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
  
  See All...).
• How far, and into what areas, will God's healing extend? (Isaiah 35).
• What do "all things" include? (Acts 3:19-21 [19] Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
  [20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
  [21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
  
  See All...).

Life after the Millennium?

Discussion : This all sounds wonderful, but what a shame it lasts only 1,000 years (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 20:1-6 [1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
[5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
[6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

See All...). Or does it? Does God's Kingdom ever end?

• Is God's dominion limited? (Daniel 2:20-22 [20] Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
  [21] And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
  [22] He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
  
  See All..., Daniel 2:34-35 [34] Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
  [35] Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
  
  See All..., Daniel 2:44-45 [44] And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
  [45] Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
  
  See All...; Isaiah 9:6-7 [6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
  [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical., and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
  
  See All...).
• What lies beyond the millennial reign? Do these resurrected people also have opportunity to live under God's rule? (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 20:4-6 [4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
  [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
  [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
  
  See All..., RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 20:11-13 [11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
  [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
  [13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
  
  See All...; Ezekiel 37).
• What happens when it's all over? (1 Corinthians 15:22-28 [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
  [23] But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
  [24] Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
  [25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
  [26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
  [27] For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
  [28] And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
  
  See All...; RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 21:1-5 [1] And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
  [2] And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
  [3] And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
  [4] And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
  [5] And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
  
  See All...).

Note: RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 21:5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
See All... gives an intriguing clue: "Behold, I make all things new." What do you think that means? God gives us that briefest glimpse, but it is assurance that He already has grand plans in mind.

But isn't the Kingdom already here?

Discussion : These prophesied changes are all fascinating, but what about the idea that the Kingdom of God is here now? If that is so, how does that work? If it is not so, does the Kingdom have anything to do with us now? Does having the true knowledge of God's Kingdom make you or me a different person? What about in the future? What will we be like? What will we do?

• Is there a way in which we experience God's sovereignty in our lives now? (Colossians 1:13-14 [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
  [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
  
  See All...).
• Has God given us some sign of His plan to include us in His kingdom later? (Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
  See All...; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 [20] For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
  [21] Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
  [22] Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
  
  See All...; 2 Corinthians 5:4-5 [4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
  [5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
  
  See All...).
• Does our having the Holy Spirit mean that we are now in the Kingdom? (1 Corinthians 15:50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
  See All...).

Will we have to do anything?

Discussion : As 1 Corinthians 15 and other scriptures show, at Christ's return the saints will be changed into spirit, given eternal life and commissioned to rule with Christ. What then? What do we do once we inherit the Kingdom?

• What is involved in "rulership"? (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 5:9-10 [9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
  [10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
  
  See All...; RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 20:4-6 [4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
  [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
  [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
  
  See All...).
• What are qualities of a great ruler and teacher? (Isaiah 40:1-11 [1] Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
  [2] Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
  [3] The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
  [4] Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
  [5] And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
  [6] The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
  [7] The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
  [8] The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
  [9] O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
  [10] Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
  [11] He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
  
  See All...; Isaiah 30:20-21 [20] And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
  [21] And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
  
  See All...).

Having this golden opportunity laid before us, how should that impact our daily lives?

• What should our reasonable response be? (1 John 3:1-3 [1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
  [2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
  [3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
  
  See All...; Romans 12:1-2 [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
  [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
  
  See All...).
• Should anything else take priority? (Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  See All...; Matthew 13:44-46 [44] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
  [45] Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
  [46] Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
  
  See All...).
• How should our prayer life be affected? (Matthew 6:9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
  See All..., 10; Luke 11:2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
  See All...).

What should we seek first?

Discussion : How does Kingdom-centered prayer motivate us? Or what motivates us to be Kingdom-oriented people?

• What should this focus tell us about our physical lives? (Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
  See All...,Hebrews 11:8-10 [8] By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
  [9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
  [10] For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
  
  See All..., Hebrews 11:13-16 [13] These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
  [14] For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
  [15] And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
  [16] But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
  
  See All...; Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  See All...).

Don't stop now

As promised, our journey was brief. A study of the Kingdom of God takes time. In fact, it takes a lifetime! What could be more important, more rewarding, more challenging, than to dedicate ourselves to the very purpose for which we draw each breath?

Thy kingdom come!

Further research topics

We've barely scratched this subject's surface. To dig further, we suggest that you:

• Analyze how long the servants of God have known of His kingdom. You can start with Jude 14, 15, all of Hebrews 11 and many of the Psalms. A topical BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. helps greatly in this type of research.
• Examine the many parables Christ used to explain aspects of the Kingdom of God. People in Jesus' day frequently didn't understand, but He made sure His disciples did (Matthew 13:10-17 [10] And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
  [11] He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
  [12] For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
  [13] Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
  [14] And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
  [15] For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
  [16] But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
  [17] For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
  
  See All...). Matthew 13 is a good starting point. See how many times you find the phrase "the Kingdom is like..." Think in depth about the ramifications of each of these lessons.