Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of political news and various issues our country is facing. When you spend so much time watching news station after news station express their worry and frustration about our political climate, it’s fairly easy to let a subtle worry, fear, and stress creep in. The kind of worry that has a more powerful effect on our minds than our faith. Sometimes it’s easy to imagine that the world is going to end, our lives will get miserably uncomfortable and we may also feel powerless to stop it.
However, something inside of me has been rebelling against these feelings of worry and fear over my future. My beliefs about the end times have changed in the last few years and one of the conclusions I was forced to accept was a belief that God’s kingdom has arrived on our earth and is continually growing here. A kingdom that promotes justice and peace and righteousness. It’s taught me that this world isn’t going to end in a ball of flames but slowly be transformed to more closely reflect God’s will as known in heaven.
These two beliefs are at conflict with each other. On the one hand, my worry tells me that my world as I know it will fall into oblivion and only if we manage to elect the right people do we have any hope of stopping it, on the other I see that, although unseen, God’s kingdom is “on the move” (Chronicles of Narnia) and we have no reason to worry when we have such great promises of justice and peace.
But what happens when the word of God seems to say something is true that I can’t see? It’s admittedly difficult to believe God is reigning over earth when I can’t point to a specific person, or country, or thing and say, “that’s him!” As a result, a flood of questions have entered my mind about God’s kingdom. What exactly did he promise us? Is his kingdom just for heaven after we die or for earth now? Did he actually promise to make things better for us? How does it work? How can I know it’s having an effect? Does God’s kingdom really grow over time?
Today I googled, “What does the bible say about god’s kingdom?” and immediately found this article, which I have been skimming for the past hour:
https://www.openbible.info/topics/gods_kingdom
Several of my pressing questions were answered and I hope if you follow along you may find some answers to your questions as well and possibly find more peace than before.
The Answers
Does the kingdom have any tangible effects on earth?
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Here Jesus makes a promise that if we prioritize God’s kingdom, all of our needs and worries will be met. Read over verses Matthew 6:25-32 and you’ll see that when we prioritize God’s kingdom, we will be provided clothing, food, preparedness, and be protected from the things we’re worried about (Matthew 6:25).
If this is true, then it means God’s kingdom does have at least some tangible effect on this earth. These promises aren’t for heaven after we die but for the here and now. Where God’s kingdom grows, we can count on having food and clothes and being protected from the things we are worried about.
Daniel 2:44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,
Does the kingdom have effect in this world? If Daniel tells us that God’s kingdom would arrive after those empires and crush all these worldly empires then it must have wordly effect. After all, did Persia, Babylon, Greece, or the Romans rule in heaven? This invisible kingdom of God seems to have the ability to bring empires to their end here on earth.
Matthew 12:28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Notice, Jesus points to the fact that if the Spirit is doing works on this earth, that is a sign that the kingdom is among us. So it seems God’s rule on this earth is promoted through the Spirit’s operations and can be experienced with tangible results.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
It seems righteousness, peace, and joy are some tangible effects of God’s kingdom at work. Precisely the attributes that would ease my political worries.
Mark 10:29-31 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
It seems Jesus was telling them that those who sought the kingdom would find homes, family, property and persecution far outweighing any sacrifices they made. If this is true, then the kingdom of heaven does provide wealth and prosperity not only of money but loved ones. And not only in heaven, but now in this life.
Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.’
Notice Jesus says, “all dominions shall serve and obey them.” If God’s people are those who trust in Jesus, which several other verses indicate, then this means all dominions serve and obey them. However, I don’t think this is in the sense of lording our will over someone. Instead I think it means that nations will work to the interests of God’s people and if they repeatedly choose not to, they may not be a nation for long. Reminds me of Isaiah 60:12
Isaiah 60:12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined.
Did the kingdom truly already arrive?
In Mark 1:15, Matthew 3:2, and Matthew 4:17, Jesus tells us the kingdom was about to arrive. If this was true, and it’s now been 2000 years, then surely the kingdom is already here. Daniel 2:44 tells us that the kingdom of heaven would arrive during the time of the Roman empire and would remain forever. If this is true, then that means it’s still here now reigning over this earth.
Mark 9:1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
Here Jesus makes a secure promise that the kingdom of God would arrive on earth in their lifetimes. The same kingdom that when established will remain forever.
Hebrews 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
If this kingdom arrived and will remain forever and “cannot be shaken”, then we must believe it is still working today.
Is the kingdom working on earth but is just invisible?
Luke 17:20-21 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “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.”
Jesus seems to be telling us that his kingdom is not made up of presidents, and armies, or countries yet is among us and having an effect.
John 3:3-8 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
It seems we are incapable of noticing this kingdom unless we are born of the spirit. He uses the analogy of the wind here which I feel is very appropriate. Wind is invisible, you cannot see it or tell where it’s coming or going but it has tremendous effects. Just look at any hurricane or tornado to see that it can change cities in seconds.
Perhaps God’s kingdom today is also like the wind. It’s not made up of a specific army, or president, or country, and it’s invisible, but it has powerful hurricane like effects that can change kingdoms, perform miracles, guide hearts, destroy evils, establish justice, righteousness, joy, and peace.
Is the kingdom of heaven just for heaven or is it meant for earth too?
Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Here we see God’s kingdom already existed in heaven and his will was already being done in heaven, but Jesus asked us to pray that his kingdom and will come to earth as well. If Jesus is God, then this is God telling us that his will is to have effect on the earth, not just heaven.
Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Notice, it’s not heaven that gets conquered by God, but it’s the “kingdom of the world” that has been overtaken by God. That must mean that this kingdom is not only about heaven but also earth.
But what about John 18:36?
John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
This was spoken before his kingdom had arrived on earth and may have been the reason he did not say it was not of this world yet. He could also have meant that his kingdom does not originate from this world even if it controls this world. Alternatively, he may have meant that we are not to look to a specific army or country or force as being God’s kingdom, but that God’s rule would in large part be invisible here.
Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.’
If it says “under the whole heaven,” then this is talking about an earthly kingdom, not a purely heavenly one and it would last forever.
Isaiah 11:1-9 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
He mentions this prophecy is concerned with the “shoot from the stump of Jesse” meaning Jesus. Though it doesn’t mention the word kingdom this seems to be talking about Jesus’s reign in his kingdom. And it brings justice, righteousness, and faithfulness.
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Notice here it does not say “will inherit the kingdom of heaven”, but “shall inherit the earth”. But both are implied here. The point being this kingdom would have rule over the earth, not just the heavenly realm.
Revelation 5:10 And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Notice that “they shall reign on the earth”. This is not talking about reigning in heaven, but on the earth.
Who are the benefactors of the kingdom?
Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
It seems in some way the poor in spirit would “own” the kingdom.
Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Those who suffer persecution for their good deeds also own the kingdom.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
This seems to be the opposite of “survival of the fittest” or strongest. It seems the kingdom is being given to powerless children.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
It seems only if we have the Holy Spirit in us and are born again can we be part of this kingdom.
Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.’
It seems the saints of the Most High will be given ownership over the kingdom. Like princes to a king.
Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
It seems the kingdom of heaven is something God would give to us happily.
Isaiah 32:1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.
It seems God would be the primary ruler, but he would have sons or princes that would rule along with him in his kingdom and establish justice.
Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Here, those on his right are “inheriting” the kingdom of heaven. An inheritance is something given to a son by his father. It seems God was going to give his sons the kingdom of heaven as an inheritance to rule over like princes.
Revelation 5:9 because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
Those Jesus “purchased” for God are those who believe in his sacrifice for them and trust in Jesus to save them. They are people from every tribe, language, and people and nation. But he says, “You have made them to be a kingdom.” It seems the kingdom is the collective people who believe in Christ and they reign on the earth.
So we are his kingdom? And somehow we are reigning on this earth?
Is the kingdom truly growing here?
Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
It seems God’s kingdom would always be growing without end and it would have tangible results, mainly justice, peace, and righteousness. Precisely the things we need in our country.
Matthew 13:31-33 31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
A mustard seed is something that grows over time. Yeast is something that spreads until it takes over the whole dough. Was Jesus’s point that his kingdom would grow in the world forever and take it over like Isaiah mentions?
Daniel 2:35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
Here God’s kingdom is like a stone that smashed these previous kingdoms and it itself grows into a mountain that fills the whole earth?
Yeast spreading through dough? A mustard seed growing into the largest of garden plants? The stone growing into a mountain and filling the earth? Of the increase of his kingdom there will be no end?
It seems this kingdom is not static, it is continuing to gain influence, power, and adherence as time goes on. We might wonder how 12 disciples grew into 2.2 billion Christians, the largest religion on the earth.
Thoughts?
While I certainly have not learned everything there is to learn about the kingdom from these verses, they do paint some things that seem now certain to me.
- We believe God exists because we exist and this whole universe. It’s pretty impossible to deny God exists.
- Jesus had God’s approval. Nicodemus says, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him” (John 3:2).
- Jesus in several places implied or claimed to be God yet still had God’s approval.
- Jesus fulfilled all the promises he made and all things he prophesied proving he was reliable.
- Jesus made a promise that his kingdom would reign on this earth forever and ever and we who are born again and lead by the spirit, we who are the children, the meek, the poor in spirit, those of us who are persecuted for righteousness, we who are sons of God, we who believe in Christ… that we reign and inherit this kingdom on earth now.
This kingdom on earth is undefeatable. It can overthrow empires, deliver justice, peace, joy, protection and deliverance. It can provide food and clothing, and property and loved ones. It’s not merely a promise of the afterlife but has an impact here and now. It seems that although we can’t point to it specifically and although like the wind it is invisible, it has tremendous effect.
This gives me hope for my future. As born again believers, we are part of this kingdom. We have inherited it, we are ruling as princes and it is constantly growing here. I do believe this world will continue to get better as a result and not worse.
There’s a lot more I need to learn about the kingdom. How is it different than the things that were done before it arrived? In what sense do we reign? What can we do to help it grow? In what sense do other nations serve us or perish?
This growing eternal kingdom may offer us a hope and escape from the worries of the world and perhaps if we seek it first, we will find all our other worries taken care of.