The Kingdom of God stands as the core message of Jesus Christ and the aim of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. This crucial phrase, appearing frequently in the Gospels is fundamental to grasping God’s will for both the earth and His people.
Defining The Kingdom of God
“Kingdom,” signifies “royal power, kingship, dominion, [or] rule. It denotes the right or authority to rule rather than physical territory itself. Therefore, the Kingdom of God isn’t a geographical location, but rather the manifestation of God’s sovereign rule wherever His will is honored and obeyed.
The concept of the Kingdom of God can be defined as “the sovereign rule of God, initiated by Christ’s earthly ministry and established in the hearts of believers, with a future that has a full realization at Christ’s return.” The kingdom is spiritual, presently active, and yet to be fully realized. Jesus Himself affirmed this, stating,
The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20–21, KJV).
The Kingdom’s Earthly Purpose
The Kingdom of God on Earth aims to re-establish divine order, promote righteousness, and ultimately bring all creation back into alignment with the Creator. It’s God’s strategic plan to reclaim His rightful rule over the Earth, accomplished through Christ’s redemptive work and the empowerment of His Church. It’s not merely a spiritual concept but a tangible, active unfolding of God’s will in the world.
To “re-establish divine order” means to restore things to the way they were originally intended to be, before sin disrupted creation. This involves restoring harmony, peace, and the proper functioning of all aspects of life under God’s loving and perfect governance. It’s about seeing His principles of justice, truth, and love permeate every sphere of human existence, from individual lives and families to communities, governments, and even the natural environment.
“Promoting righteousness” goes hand-in-hand with divine order. Righteousness, in its biblical sense, is about living in right relationship with God and with others. It’s about ethical conduct, moral integrity, and a commitment to justice. The Kingdom’s presence on Earth actively challenges injustice, corruption, and all forms of evil, working to cultivate environments where goodness flourishes and people are treated with dignity and fairness. This promotion of righteousness is not just an ideal; it’s a call to action for believers to embody and advocate for God’s standards in a broken world.
Manifesting Heaven on Earth
Jesus taught His disciples to pray,
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, KJV).
This is a declaration of purpose, revealing God’s ultimate desire for His sovereign rule and perfect will, currently active in heaven, to become fully manifest and established on Earth. Therefore, is not just a future hope but a present reality that actively transforms and brings the very essence of heaven to our earthly realm.
The manifestation of heaven on Earth through the Kingdom of God is characterized by tangible divine attributes. Apostle Paul clearly states in
“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Romans 14:17 (KJV),
This verse illustrates that the Kingdom is not about external observances or earthly regulations, but about internal, spiritual realities that come from God Himself and are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the manifestation of heaven on Earth is evidenced by the signs and wonders that accompanied Jesus’ ministry and continue through His Church. Jesus taught,
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:7-8, KJV).
These acts of healing, deliverance, and restoration are glimpses of what life is like when God’s perfect will is done without hindrance, a foretaste of the full heavenly reality breaking into our world.
The Kingdom of God represents God’s divine government, already at work within the hearts of those who believe and set to ultimately encompass the entire Earth with His glory Through Christ, we gain access to this Kingdom, and as its citizens, we’re commissioned to faithfully represent our King and the Kingdom until His return.
