Matthew 3:1-2 says, “in those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,’” and with those words, the New Testament refocused the idea of Kingdom to the worshippers of Jehovah.  For centuries the Jews longed for a visible Kingdom in which the rule of God would spread over his people Israel, freeing them from every vestige of Gentile law. The Jews longed for that day when King David would once again rule over Israel (cf. Jeremiah 30:8-9), and so when John the Baptist came on the scene, many thought the fulfillment of God was close. However, they stumbled over the nature of God’s kingdom.

The Kingdoms of God and Heaven are synonymous terms pointing to that spiritual rule over which God presides. Jesus once said in Luke 17:20-21, “The Kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” The Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. Though debated, many believe the kingdom of God began at some point in eternity past and will continue forever. Christ is the rightful King, and every human being is, in one sense or another, a subject of his Kingdom, for in Matthew 9:11-12 Jesus said, “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness…”

Today the kingdom is partially present to the extent Christ rules the human heart. Yet, one day his rule over our hearts will be as complete as his rule over the earth when he takes his place on his throne in the New Jerusalem.  At that point, he will be the undisputed ruler of the universe, and the promise of Philippians 2:11, which says, “every tongue (will) confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” will be realized.

Though the church is closely aligned with the kingdom, it is not equivalent to the kingdom, for God’s kingdom controls every aspect of our lives.

Dana Arledge, Phil Meade, Will Uminn, Kevin Farmer