The Kingdom of God
The issue we are dealing with in this study is one of Citizenship. In the natural, people are citizens of one country or another. For us in the USA, many of us are fiercely patriotic and appreciate the blessing it is to live in the USA. The idea of giving up the life we have as citizens of the USA is frightening and abhorring. We cling to this life with great tenacity. But, this can lead to a problem for true Christians. If our love of the kingdom of the USA and the life we live because we are citizens of the USA is greater than our love of the Kingdom of God, we can easily find ourselves praying against God’s plans for His coming Kingdom.
The truth we have to deal with is this. When we were “born again” we became citizens of God’s Kingdom. What difference does this make in our worldview? What difference does this make in our allegiances, our loyalties, and even how we pray? Let’s look at what the Bible says about the kingdoms of this world we live in, and what it says about the Kingdom of God.
The kingdoms of this world
| Book | Description | Context |
| NKJV | Mt 13:22
| 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. The cares of this world choke out the Word of God. Worldy issues and concerns fight against God. |
| NKJV | Lk 16:8
| 8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. The shrewdness of this world is not a good thing. |
| NKJV | Jn 8:23
| 23 And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Jesus is not of this world. |
| NKJV | Jn 12:31
| 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. The world is to be judged and the ruler of this world (Satan) will be cast out (sent to Gehenna, then into the Lake of Fire) |
| NKJV | Jn 14:30
| 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. Satan is the ruler of this world. |
| NKJV | Jn 18:36
| 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." God’s Kingdom is not of this world. |
| NKJV | 1Co 1:20
| 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? This wisdom of this world is foolishness. |
| NKJV | 1Co 7:31
| 31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. This world is temporary and is passing away. |
| NKJV | Eph 2:2
| 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, Those that walk according to the course of this world are walking according to the devil (Satan). |
| NKJV | Rev 11:15
| 15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" The kingdoms of this world will one day all become the kingdoms of our Lord (the Kingdom of God). |
Summary: The kingdoms and people of this world are under the rule of Satan, they are to be judged, they are passing away, they will one day all become the Kingdoms of Jesus, and worldly wisdom is foolishness.
| Book | Description | Context |
| NKJV | 1Jn 2:15
| 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. We are not to love the world or the things in the world. |
| NKJV | 1Jn 2:16
| 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. All that is in the world is not of the Father but is of the world (of the devil). |
| NKJV | 1Jn 4:3
| 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. The spirit of the Antichrist is already in the world. |
| NKJV | 1Jn 4:4
| 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. The Holy spirit that is in us is greater than Satan, the ruler of the world. |
| NKJV | Jn 15:19
| 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. The world hates true believers because we have been chosen out of the world (we are not of the world). |
| NKJV | Jn 17:14
| 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. |
| Book | Description | Context | |||
| NKJV | Jn 9:39
| 39 And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." Jesus came into this world for judgment.
| |||
| NKJV | Jn 12:25
| 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. We are admonished to hate life in this world not love it. | |||
| NKJV | Ro 12:2
| 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Do not be conformed to this world. If we are we can’t prove the will of God. | |||
| NKJV | 1Ti 6:7
| 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Nothing material of ours in this world will go with us into the Kingdom of God. | |||
| NKJV | 1Jn 4:17
| 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. We are to be in this world, but not of it. |
| Book | Description | Context |
| NKJV | 1Pe 2:9
| 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; We are chosen ones, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. We have been called out of the darkness of this world and into His Kingdom. |
| Book | Description | Context |
| NKJV | Eph 2:19
| 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, We are citizens of God’s Kingdom and members of the household of God. |
Summary: True believers are not of this world. We are told not to love the world and even to hate it and the things in it like lust and pride. We are warned that the world will hate us because the Lord chose us out of the world and we are not of the world. We are told the spirit of the Antichrist is in the world, but that the Holy Spirit in us is greater that Satan who is in the world.
Jesus came into the world for judgment and to bring a sword. We are not to be conformed to this world. This current world is basically evil and controlled by the evil one (Satan). It is destined for judgment and destruction.
We are citizens of the Kingdom of God and members of the household of God. We are in the world, but not of it. Our love and loyalties now should lie with God and His Kingdom. Our prayers should be, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven”.
Now we can ask, “what is this Kingdom of God?”
Basileia (kingdom)
1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah
c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom
2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king
3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah
| Book | Description | Context |
| NKJV | Mt 6:33
| 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. It is something we are to seek after. In it we will find all things necessary for life and life in its fullness. |
| NKJV | Mt 12:28
| 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Evidence of the Kingdom is the power of the Spirit of God to cast out demons. |
| NKJV | Mt 19:24
| 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Worldly riches make very hard to get into the Kingdom, because, basically you have to be willing to give the riches up. |
| NKJV | Mt 21:31
| 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said to Him, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. Religious people will find it hard to get into the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mt 21:43
| 43 "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. Bearing Godly fruit evidences being in the Kingdom. The Kingdom can be taken away if there is no fruit. |
| NKJV | Mk 1:15
| 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Entry into the Kingdom is available to those that repent and believe in the Gospel. |
| NKJV | Mk 4:11
| 11 And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, The Kingdom is a mystery that can be understood by some, but not by others. |
| NKJV | Mk 4:26
| 26 And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, The Kingdom is portrayed here as mysterious process of planting seed, watching it grow, the harvesting the grain when it is ripe. It is a picture of how the Kingdom is populated with saved people. |
| NKJV | Mk 4:30
| 30 Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? The picture painted here is one of a very small seed being planted that grows into a massive tree that provides shelter for many. Jesus was the single “seed” planted that has grown into the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mk 9:1
| 1 And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." Six days after saying this, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain where He was transfigured before them revealing His Godly nature (power) to them. Here, the Kingdom is seen in the transfigured Jesus along with His OT saints, Moses and Elijah. |
| NKJV | Mk 9:47
| 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire—In the end, no price is to high to get into the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mk 10:14
| 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. The people of the Kingdom are God’s “little children”. It is the trust, love, and faith of a little child that characterizes the people of the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mk 10:15
| 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." Again, it takes the trust, love, and faith like a little child to get into the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mk 10:23
| 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" Love of the things of this world like riches makes it hard to get into the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mk 12:34
| 34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." But after that no one dared question Him. It is the wholehearted love of God and unselfish love of others that gets us close to the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mk 14:25
| 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Jesus tells His disciples that he will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until after He returns to the Kingdom as the resurrected Jesus. |
| NKJV | Mk 15:43
| 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. The early believers were looking for the coming of the Kingdom when God’s will would be done on earth as it is in Heaven. |
| NKJV | Lk 4:43
| 43 but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." The disciples were preaching “the Kingdom of God”. This message apparently went beyond preaching salvation and eternal life in Jesus. It involved preaching and teaching about all the elements God’s Kingdom, including its culture, its life style, how it works, and what it looks like as it manifests itself on earth. |
| NKJV | Lk 6:20
| 20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. The poor and downtrodden are assured a place in the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Lk 7:28
| 28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." John the Baptist was the greatest and the last of the OT prophets. But those who are born again (are in Jesus) are declared greater the John. These are declared to be the sons and daughters of God and the Bride of Christ, the Queen of Heaven. |
| NKJV | Lk 8:1
| 1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, |
| NKJV | Lk 8:10
| 10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.' The Kingdom is a mystery and contains mysteries. These mysteries are revealed by the Spirit (are discerned spiritually) and not by human wisdom or intelligence. |
| NKJV | Lk 9:2
| 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Healing of the sick always accompanied the preaching of the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Lk 9:11
| 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. |
| NKJV | Lk 9:27
| 27 "But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God." Peter, James and John saw the transfigured Jesus along with Moses and Elijah on the mountain of transfiguration before they died. Paul and John also were taken in the spirit into the Kingdom at later times and saw the Kingdom (Paul in the third Heaven and John in the book of Revelation). |
| NKJV | Lk 9:60
| 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." The Kingdom is of more importance that the things of this world, even burying the dead. |
| NKJV | Lk 9:62
| 62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Those who turn back once they have begun to pursue the Kingdom are not fit to be a part of it. |
| NKJV | Lk 10:9
| 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' Healing the sick was evidence of the reality Kingdom and that the power of it was near or available to the people of earth. |
| NKJV | Lk 10:11
| 11 'The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.' The rejection of the message of the Kingdom brings condemnation. |
| NKJV | Lk 11:20
| 20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. With the Kingdom comes the power and authority to cast out demons as well as heal the sick. |
| NKJV | Lk 12:31
| 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Once a part of the Kingdom, the necessities of life are provided by God to His citizens (children). |
| NKJV | Lk 13:20
| 20 And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? The Kingdom is likened to leaven. A small bit of it can cause a lot of “bread” to rise. The Kingdom on earth started very small, but it will eventually grow until the whole earth and the earthly kingdoms thereof become the Kingdom of God. |
| NKJV | Lk 13:28
| 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. All of the OT Fathers, saints, and prophets are now in the Kingdom. We probably see at least 12 of them in Revelation 5 sitting on thrones around the Throne of God. |
| NKJV | Lk 13:29
| 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. Many from all over the earth will join the OT saints in the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Lk 14:15
| 15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" This introduced the parable of the Kingdom about God giving a great banquet. He invited many but many gave all kinds of excuses why they could not come. The excuses were concerns of things in the world. These were assured to never have a part in the banquet (the Kingdom). The servants were then commanded to go out and bring in the lame, poor, blind, maimed, and even those in the far regions and back alleys into the banquet. |
| NKJV | Lk 16:16
| 16 The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. The Kingdom of God and the freely given way into the Kingdom (believing in Jesus and His free gift of forgiveness) was preached after John the Baptist. Salvation by grace and not by works opened the door into the Kingdom to all who would accept the gift by believing in Jesus. |
| NKJV | Lk 17:20
| 20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; The Kingdom is not like a visible, earthly kingdom. It is a kingdom that exists in the spiritual realm, and on earth, in the hearts and minds of those that are in the Kingdom. It is evidenced in and through citizens of the Kingdom in their behavior, attitudes, values, and in the signs and wonders done through them (like healings and deliverances). |
| NKJV | Lk 17:21
| 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Here Jesus tells us that the Kingdom is within us. Being in the Kingdom is a state of mind, and having the presence of God within us as the Holy Spirit. Being in the Kingdom is knowing you are a citizen of the Kingdom, behaving like a citizen, working for the Kingdom, and loving and serving the King. |
| NKJV | Lk 18:29
| 29 So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, In the verses to follow, we are assured that whatever we give up for the Kingdom, God will gives us many times more, both in this present time and in the age to come (eternal life). |
| NKJV | Lk 19:11
| 11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. The Jews and even the disciples were looking for their Messiah to establish His earthly Kingdom immediately. He would not. In His first coming to earth, Jesus came to deal with sin. It will be at His second coming, after the “times of the gentiles” that He comes to establish His earthly Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Lk 21:31
| 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Jesus gave His disciples, and us, the key signs that would occur just before His second coming to establish His Kingdom on earth. |
| NKJV | Lk 22:16
| 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." |
| NKJV | Lk 22:18
| 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." In these verses, Jesus tells us that He will not celebrate Passover again until His Kingdom is established on Earth. |
| NKJV | Jn 3:3
| 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." A hard, but simple and profound truth. No one can see or get into the Kingdom without being born again of the Spirit. We are born again when we confess our sin, ask for divine forgiveness, believe in our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior, the Messiah, and confess this with our mouths. When we are born again, we are “fathered” by the Holy Spirit and a new man is born. This new man is a hybrid creature, one with the DNA of man, and the DNA of God. This new man is a “son of God”, can never die, and is a citizen of the Kingdom of God. |
| NKJV | Jn 3:5
| 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Again Jesus tells us that to get into the Kingdom, we must be born of a woman and of the Spirit (born again). |
| NKJV | Ac 1:3
| 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. After His resurrection, what was on Jesus’ heart was the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Ac 8:12
| 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Philip preached both the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus. Notice that baptism was always a key part of becoming a citizen of the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Ac 14:22
| 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." This is a truth that some would like to ignore. It is through many troubles that we enter the Kingdom of God. |
| NKJV | Ac 28:23
| 23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. |
| NKJV | Ac 28:31
| 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. Preaching the Kingdom had to do with the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| NKJV | Ro 14:17
| 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Here the Kingdom is clearly explained to not be religious laws, but rather peace, joy, and righteousness that are conditions that come as gifts from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. |
| NKJV | 1Co 4:20
| 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. The Kingdom is not just an idea or philosophy, it is divine power manifested in and through its citizens. |
| NKJV | 1Co 6:9
| 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, It is very clear here that those who habitually practice idolatry or sexual perversions will not be a part of the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | 1Co 6:10
| 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Nor will those that practice other behaviors considered sin by God ever get into the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | 1Co 15:50
| 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Again, pure humans (flesh and blood) cannot get into the Kingdom. Only hybrid men, those born of the flesh and of the Spirit can be citizens of the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Gal 5:21
| 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. |
| Book | Description | Context |
| NKJV | Mt 5:3
| 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Humility is required to be a citizen of the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mt 5:10
| 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Persecution is part of the road to the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mt 5:19
| 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. The least or lowest in the Kingdom are those that break Jesus’ commandments and teach others to do so also. The greatest in the Kingdom are those that do and teach Jesus’ commandments. |
| NKJV | Mt 5:20
| 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Just being religious will not get you into the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mt 7:21
| 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. We can call Jesus Lord, but unless we do His will, we will not get into the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mt 11:12
| 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. Since the days of John the Baptist, the citizens of the Kingdom that are on the earth have suffered for it. The people of the world serve Satan and he is always seeking to steal, kill, and destroy those that are of the Kingdom. This will be true until the day the Lord returns to establish His Kingdom on the earth. |
| NKJV | Mt 13:44
| 44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. No price is to high to pay for the privilege of being a citizen of the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mt 13:45
| 45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, We must be willing to give up all the treasures of this world if necessary in order to enter the Kingdom. |
| NKJV | Mt 13:47
| 47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, God has cast His net into the world. In the end, He pulls in the net, separates the wicked from the just, gathers the just to Himself, and throws the wicked away. |
| NKJV | Mt 16:19
| 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." The keys of the Kingdom represent Kingdom authority that is given to every citizen of the Kingdom. The authority to bind is authority to inhibit, tie up, declare bad or evil. The authority to loose (Greek - luo) is the authority to set free, release or declare good. |
| NKJV | Mt 18:3
| 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. God’s people trust Him fully, love Him fully, and abbey Him fully, like little children do to a loving parent. |
| NKJV | Mt 18:4
| 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The greatest in the Kingdom are those that are humble, trusting, loving, and obedient, as a child. |
| NKJV | Mt 18:23
| 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. This parable tells us that God expects His citizens to be full of mercy and grace as He is. He expects us to be full of compassion and forgive those who have caused us hurt or harm. |
| NKJV | Mt 20:1
| 1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. In this parable we are taught the in the Kingdom, God’s love and grace and reward is the same for those that come early and work long and hard as those that come late. Those that don’t like this are called evil. God calls all, and chooses all as He wills, and it is good! |
| NKJV | Mt 22:2
| 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, Here the Kingdom is described as a King giving a wedding party for His Son. He first sends His servants out to the invited (the Jews) but many gave excuses and did not come. This makes the King furious and He send His army out and destroys their city (Jerusalem was destroyed in 70AD). Then the King sends His servant out into the distant highways to gather in all they can find, both the good and the bad (gentiles). When the King arrives at the wedding hall He sees those that do not have on a wedding garment (the righteousness of Christ) and the King throws those out into utter darkness. This is just a word picture of the spread of the gospel from the days of Jesus to His wedding banquet after His return to earth. It is a picture of the development of the Kingdom of God (Heaven) on earth. |
| NKJV | Mt 23:13
| 13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. By warring against Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees hindered men from entering the Kingdom because the only “door” there is to get in is Jesus. |
| NKJV | Mt 25:1
| 1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. In this parable of the Kingdom, ten virgins (believers in Jesus) are waiting for His to come for them to take them to their wedding. He is long in coming and they slumber and sleep while waiting. All ten virgins have lamps with them but only five of them have oil with their lamps. When the Bridegroom comes at midnight, the five with oil in their lamps go out to meet Him. The other go out to try and buy some oil, but by the time they do, they find the door to the wedding is shut and the Bridegroom tells them that He does not know them. This is a hard parable. All 10 were waiting for the Bridegroom but only five had prepared to meet Him by having oil for their lamps. It would seem to be consistent with other scripture that the oil represents the Holy Spirit. Without having the oil, the Holy Spirit (i.e. being truly born again) it is impossible to go to the wedding (i.e. enter the Kingdom). The Bridegroom knows the five with the oil because He has been in them (has already had an intimate relationship with them). The other, He has not known. |
| NKJV | Mt 25:14
| 14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. This is the parable of the talents. The lesson here about the Kingdom is this. God has given everybody certain “talents”. He expects us to use them for His Kingdom. If we use what He give us well (whether 10 talents or 1), we will be rewarded in the Kingdom with honor and responsibility. If we squander the “talents”, we will be called wicked and lazy and will be thrown into the outer darkness. |
Note that chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew define the culture of the Kingdom of God. Matthew also contains many parables about the Kingdom of God (Heaven). These parables paint pictures of how the Kingdom operates, the development of the Kingdom, great truths about the Kingdom, and great principles of the Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God (the Kingdom of Heaven) is a real kingdom. At the present time it is a spiritual place where God dwells. In it are real places, living creatures, angels, people, and things. The book of Ezekiel describes some of these things. John also saw many things in the Kingdom. Chapters 4 and 5 give an exciting glimpse of the Throne in Heaven and the creatures and people that dwell there.
The Kingdom of God also exists on the earth today but not as an earthly kingdom. It exists in the hearts and minds of believers who have entered the Kingdom (become Kingdom citizens) by being in Jesus and being born again by the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ second coming to earth, He will establish His Kingdom on earth, ruling from Jerusalem as King of kings and Lord of lords for 1000 years. After this, He creates a new heaven and a new earth and a new story begins.
For us today, the challenge is to live on this earth as good citizens of this Kingdom of God. The teachings and commands of Jesus provide us instructions as how to live as citizens of His Kingdom. The Kingdom is complex and has all the facets of earthly kingdoms plus its spiritual dimensions. In my study “Taking up the Master’s Yoke”, I take a look at the key elements of the Kingdom. These are the main subjects of this study:
1. Getting into the Kingdom of God
2. Foundations of the Kingdom
a. Jesus, faith, hope and love
b. Fundamental beliefs of the Kingdom
c. The nature and character of the King of the Kingdom
3. The culture of the Kingdom
a. The nature of the Kingdom
b. Relationships in the Kingdom
c. The culture of the Kingdom
d. The character of the citizens of the Kingdom
e. Characteristics of a mature citizen of the kingdom
4. The cause, purpose and destiny of the Kingdom
a. The cause of the Kingdom
b. The purpose of the Kingdom
c. The destiny of Kingdom citizens
5. The government of the Kingdom
a. The government of the Kingdom
b. The economics of the Kingdom
c. Kingdom citizen’s roles and responsibilities
d. The Kingdom world View
e. The homeland - Heaven
6. The roots, traditions and rituals of the Kingdom
a. Kingdom roots
b. Foundation traditions of the Kingdom
c. The sacred rituals of the Kingdom
7. The warfare of the Kingdom
a. Basics of spiritual warfare
b. The issue of authority
c. God’s weapons of warfare
d. Satan’s weapons of warfare
e. Restoring the wounded – Principles of healing and Emotional Restoration
8. Becoming a leader in the Kingdom of God
a. Formulation a Kingdom model of a leader
b. Leadership authority
c. Qualities of a Kingdom leader
d. Role and functions of a Kingdom leader
As you can see, there are many things to learn and do to be a vibrant citizen of the Kingdom of God. It is a lifelong quest. But the root of it all is this, knowing God intimately, and serving Him faithfully. The primary source of instruction and information for this quest is the Bible. But remember, to discover real truth, the Bible must be discerned spiritually. In other words, the Holy Spirit must reveal the truths of the Bible to you. To even get started on the journey you must be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. These are gifts of God, given freely to all who put their trust in Jesus, believe in Him, give their lives to Him, and openly confess Him as their Lord and Savior. Once in the Kingdom, we must transfer all of our loyalties, our hopes, and our efforts from the kingdoms of the world to the Kingdom of God.
This is our banner, our motto, our prayer, and our song:
“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”
“Even so, come Lord Jesus.” Maranatha!
