Is the Kingdom of God Here Yet?

What is the Kingdom of God?

If the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom of God is a signature characteristic of the Church of God... which we can use to help identify God's Church in a confusing sea of possibilities... we need to have a good biblical definition of this "kingdom of God". So, let’s get started!

The Rule of God

The word kingdom is a translation of the Greek word basiliea... which means sovereignty, royal power, dominion and so forth. Revelation 17:18 she has basiliea over the kings of the earth.

So we could say the kingdom of God is the "rule/reign of God".

Using the word kingdom evokes images of castles, walls, territory, and subjects... whereas rule makes us think of the power and person of the king. They are closely related but not the same. When reading the bible I tend to mentally swap in "rule of God" when I see "kingdom of God"... but on the other hand a king with no territory... or no subjects doesn't make a lot of sense... both renderings are OK.

How is the Rule of God Experienced?

Is the kingdom of God a present reality, or is it only a future hope. Is the kingdom of God experienced as a spiritual reality, or is also extended to material society and culture? (show grid and describe possible combinations). Both true and false teachings about the kingdom of God are out there... they all find themselves somewhere on this grid.

Physical Present

Some have taught that the rule of God is happening in the here and now … and that we should we expect to see the fruits of social change to a more Godly model as a result.

How people have understood this in the past - The new covenant message was planted by God within the Roman world. A version of that message (a mix of truth and error) began to dominate in Rome in the decades after the death of the original apostles. This Roman version of the Church step-by-step arranged for those who held to the original teachings to be declared anathema and enemies of the state (Ex. the Council of Nicea outlawed the observance of the Passover in 350AD and the 7th day Sabbath was outlawed by the Council of Laodicea in 360 AD). People who held to the original truth had to run for their lives (the Church of God fled into the wilderness).

The Roman mixture of truth and error grew phenomenally. So much so that it became the official religion of the state. Many saw this as a fulfillment of the promised kingdom. Like a measure of leaven in a lump of dough, God's rule was now being experienced throughout the Roman world... through the power of a "Christianized" state.

Then after several centuries the unthinkable happened... Roman power disintegrated... barbarians moved in... raped, looted pillaged... Seeing the rule of God in all this chaos was hard.

The writers and thinkers of the Roman Church got to work. The new spin on the gospel of the kingdom of God took a couple of different twists:

1. the rule of God on earth should be understood as the rule of the Church... administered through the leaders of the Roman Church on Christ's behalf until the time of His return. The Church would influence, advise, counterbalance, and at times dominate, the state.

2. the rule of God should not be thought of in the physical realm but rather as a spiritual reality within the hearts and minds of believers now in as much as they accept God/Christ into their hearts and minds. This spiritual reality would be fully realized through eternal life in heaven.

These solutions dominated until the early modern era (1700s - 1800s).

Understanding God's kingdom as the "Christianizing" of nations and states resurfaced in the early modern era. A wealthy and powerful "Christianized" Europe saw themselves as making dramatic progress in overcoming social ills, promoting freedoms and rights for individuals, using medical and technological advances to improve lives. Colonization was seen as a means for bringing this same "Christianization" to the rest of the world. The power of Christianity was moving us progressively towards a better world… a sort of KOG.

This concept of making progress toward a world ruled by Godly principles died when the supposedly "Christianized" nations of Europe savagely attacked, bombed and gassed one another in the 1st world war about a century ago. The 2nd world war finished off what was left of the dream.

From that time until today Christians have mostly retreated back to preaching the concept of the kingdom of God expressing itself as a spiritual reality in the hearts and minds of believers.

Is A Spiritual Kingdom of God Here Now?

Matthew 6:9-10 the kingdom of God is not here yet... believers should earnestly desire the day of its coming. We are not offering thanks for its presence in the here and now.

John 18:36-37 Jesus first coming (in the flesh) was not the time the KOG would be established on earth.

Luke 21:7Jesus is asked about end time events (including His return) in verses 8-19 he talks about he talks about what will happen over the coming centuries (wars, deception, persecution… which is the first 5 seals). then in verses 20-24 He talks about the gathering of the armies around Jerusalem to fight. Then in verse 25-28 He talks about the sign of the 6^th seal and His appearance. That time of His appearance is also the time of the first resurrection.

Luke 21:29-31 He says when you have seen all this come to pass the KOG is about to begin.

1 Corinthians 15:50-53 entrance into the KOG comes after we are raised to everlasting life, at the time of Christ's return. Before that human beings (those in the flesh) do not experience the KOG.

Is the Kingdom of God A Spiritual Awakening

In spite of what is said in the 1 Corinthians 15:50 it is still argued that the KOG is happening now as a spiritual reality through the spiritual awakening of believers.

Luke 17:20-21 the KJV says “within you”. Which people taught meant the KOG is an inward spiritual state. But newer translations say something like “among you (NIV)” or “in the midst of you (ESV)”. It doesn’t make sense that Jesus is saying the KOG is within the Pharisee (they were plotting to kill Him). Most agree the better translation is “among” or “in the midst of”. Most now agree that Jesus is saying "the king of the kingdom" is standing right in front of you Pharisees but you cannot see or understand it... that’s what we have said for decades.

However, the new spin is that Jesus is saying the kingdom of God is a matter of spiritual discernment... a person needs to recognize and accept the message of the kingdom being offered to them through  Jesus... and that this change of heart means the kingdom of God is entering into the here and now through the hearts of men.

But acknowledging Jesus Christ as king of a coming kingdom is not the same as the kingdom begin here now. Remember Jesus’ conversation with Pilate… “my kingdom is not of this age… if it were my servants would fight to prevent my arrest… IE. If my kingdom were here and now, you would know it.

Also remember what we read in 1 Corinthians 15:50… "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God". What’s really happening with those who accept the rule of Christ in the here and now comes out in the next example.

Colossians 1:13 this appears to describe flesh and blood believers as already being bought into the KOG. Let’s read the context to find out whats really being said here (read verses 9-13). The larger passage speaks of our present status as being prepared and equipped for what comes ahead… coming into our inheritance. Christ is preparing us for the coming KOG by bringing us under the rule, basiliea, dominion of Jesus Christ the Son.

What does it Mean to Be Designated an Heir?

The bible speaks of us as heirs of God, heirs along with Christ; we shall inherit eternal life... we shall inherit the KOG... we shall inherit the earth...we shall inherit all things (created world). We are designated as heirs but have not yet come into our inheritance. At present we are in training for the time we come into our inheritance.

If your parents ran a successful construction business... and wanted to give it to you as an inheritance... they would train you in how to run the business before it passed along to you. If they send you out with  work crews to learn how to frame houses it doesn't mean you have begun to participate in the running of the business. Your involvement is a matter of training.

So it is with God our Father. He is preparing you for a place alongside Christ, assisting Him in his rule, royal power, and dominion over all people, nations, and lands on earth when Christ returns. You prepare for that future reality by submitting yourself to the lordship and authority of Christ now... before you are raised to eternal life and inherit your place within the universal rule of God.

This same explanation would apply to Romans 14:17.  The context is learning to judge matters of the flesh (eating and drinking) using the guidance of the holy spirit, within the limited setting of the Church.

Is the Church of God The Kingdom?

The bible never refers to the Church of God as the kingdom. The closest we might come to such a statement is Matthew 16:17-19.

Quick note: the “kingdom of heaven” is the kingdom which comes to us from heaven... Matthew uses this phrase in the same way Luke, Mark, John, and Paul use the phrase kingdom of God.

The giving of the keys is a symbol of the granting of authority… which relates to the KOG.

In the present the Church of God has the authority to proclaim, and teach the gospel of the kingdom of God (which is coming but not here yet). Also, to administer baptism and the laying on of hands through which a person enters into their covenant with God… and enters into their preparation as heirs of the kingdom (an inheritance which is coming but not here yet).

Authority over matters within the KOG will be granted to believers when they are resurrected and seated with Christ (not before).

Why Is God's Rule Not Currently on Earth?

Key to understanding how God can be ruler of the entire universe but His rule is not currently enforced or administered on earth is; delegation. At the beginning of the bible we are informed that human beings were created in God's image and given dominion (rule) over the earth. As bearers of God's image they were to rule in accord with His will.

Instead of ruling in accord with the will of God, humanity freely chose to rule as they saw fit. By exalting their own will over God's they followed the way of Satan. That is why other scriptures call Satan "ruler of this world" 2 Corinthians 4:4, John 12:31. Earth is a part of the universe that is in rebellion to God.

The gospel of the Kingdom of God is the message of how, who, when, and where the rule of God will be established on earth… through the children who bear His image and likeness.

Jesus, the word who was God and who was with God, came in the flesh, died in the flesh, and was raised to spirit born life. He is the first-born of all those who have lived in the flesh... who will be raised up to everlasting life. He goes ahead showing what lays in store for all God's children.

Jesus Christ will return to earth at the appointed time. He will take on the rule of the earth. He, like a new Adam who will succeed where the first Adam failed. And we will follow Him on this same path 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 45-50.

Why Does This Matter:

If one person believes the KOG is a present reality, that their choice to seek out kingdom values is where the kingdom begins... and another person believes the KOG is not a present reality, that their choice to seek out kingdom values is preparation for that future event promised in scripture. What difference does it make? They are both living those kingdom values... Here's the difference:

1. We want to correctly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)... to say that a correct interpretation and teaching on something as fundamental as the gospel of the KOG doesn't matter is slippery ground. God is not the author of confusion.

2. Outsiders have seen nations assumed to be "Christian" one day machine gunning one another... or sees Churches filled with people struggling with sin... working to overcome sin... but still having sin among them… they see Church leaders abusing others within their congregations.

That person might say "is this what the bible means by the kingdom of God"? If so, maybe humanity should be looking elsewhere for answers.

In both scenarios, if we do not make the distinction, if we misrepresent the word of God, we run the risk of using God's name in vain... and He will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.