The Kingdom of God

Introduction What Defines a Kingdom? Has to have a King Has to have subjects Has a country or land to rule Has Laws Has a government or administration Has a religion

Modern Examples of Kingdoms Monaco Denmark Tonga Each of these nations have the essential elements of a Kingdom

The Kingdom of God When asked about the Kingdom of God, most people would say: The Kingdom is in our hearts as Christ “reigns” there It is in heaven where God lives, and we go there when we die But is this what the Bible says?

The Kingdom of God Firstly, God is supreme ruler: 1 Tim. 1:17 “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Tim. 6:15 “Which in His times He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords”

The Kingdom of Israel Therefore we see that God is the ultimate King – but the future Kingdom of God has its roots in the ancient Kingdom of Israel Just over 1000 years before Christ was born, the nation of Israel wanted an earthly king to rule over them – God anointed Saul as the first king of Israel: 1 Samuel 9:16-17 “I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain [leader or ruler] over my people Israel... And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.”

The Kingdom of Israel Saul, David, Solomon and many others were appointed by God to rule over the kingdom of Israel Jerusalem, Israel’s capital was captured by the Babylonian’s around 500 years after King Saul - the Israelites became slaves and the royal family including King Zedekiah was killed A few years prior to this, Ezekial the prophet was told by God that the Kingdom of Israel would soon be “overturned” until another man should come to reign whose “right it is”

The Kingdom of Israel Ezekiel 21:26-27 “Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it [kingdom of Israel]: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.” Israel has not had a king since the last king, Zedekiah, died over 2500 years ago

Who will be King? As in the Kingdom of Israel, God has appointed a King to rule over His kingdom in the future Luke 1:31-33 “…call his name JESUS. He shall be great … the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David … and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Rev. 11:15 “And 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.”

Who will be King? Christ lived on the earth in the early 1 st century AD He was crucified by the Romans due to pressure from a Jewish sect who was opposed to Christ’s teaching However, he was raised from the dead and after 40 days ascended to heaven with a promise from God’s angels he would return – then as King Acts 1:11 “…this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

Where will the Kingdom be? We have looked a lot at God’s “special” people, the Israelites and their own kingdom in the past When the Kingdom of God is finally set up, Jesus as King will rule over the Israelites and over all people on the earth Zech. 14:9 “And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.”

Subjects and Kingdom The Kingdom of God will supersede and destroy all existing governments. Jesus will rule and all people on earth will be subject to him. Daniel 2:44 “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.”

Laws In the Kingdom of God, a new system of justice and religion will be instigated with God’s law being enforced on all the world, and all people will respect and follow the laws instituted by Christ Micah 4:2 “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.”

Laws Jeremiah 3:17 “At 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.”

Government There will be immortal rulers called saints under the direction of Christ as King reigning with him, helping enforce laws and teaching the people Rev. 2:26-27 “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.” Rev. 5:10 “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

Religion In the Kingdom, all mortal people will be required to go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King – this will be the one and only religion in the world Zech. 14:16 “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.”

Religion The worshippers will go to a new temple that will be built in Jerusalem when Christ returns to the earth A detailed description of this temple was given to the prophet Ezekiel and are recorded in chapters 40 – 47 With one religion and a universal system of worship under one King, the world will be a place of peace and safety with all mortal people on the earth equal

The Kingdom of God Jesus Christ will return to be King He will overthrow all human governments Choose his co-rulers or saints Establish his authority over all the earth with worldwide laws and one religion Acts 3:20-21 “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 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.”

Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.