The Church and the Kingdom

A prominent theme in the New Testament is the kingdom of God. No serious student of scripture can have failed to observe that in the teaching of Jesus Christ a leading place was given to this kingdom. This is seen most strikingly in the account of Matthew. Here Jesus is continually speaking of the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God, and he leaves no doubt that a rich blessing awaits those who become a part of it, that it is the thing to be sought "first" in one's life and indeed is the "pearl of great price."

It is necessary, therefore, if we are to have an intelligent grasp of the mind of Chrsit and of his purposes for mankind, that we have an understanding of his teaching regarding the kingdom. Unfortunately, there is much confusion about the kingdom and even a great deal of error that is militantly promoted concerning it. By considering the different uses of the expression "the kingdom of God" in the scriptures, it is hoped that the confusion will be dissipated and a clearer understanding will emerge.

THE UNIVERSAL KINGDOM

There are many references in the Old Testament to the kingdom of God in this sense. In Psalms 103:19 we read: "The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all." In Daniel 4:3, Nebuchadnezzar exclaims: "How great are His signs, and how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation."

Such statements clearly show that God has always been and will always be the absolute sovereign king over all things, whether they are intelligent or inanimate, whether willingly subject to Him or not. In this sense, even hell and Satan are in God's kingdom, for God is over all! As Milton so well expressed it: "He, be sure, in height or depth, still first and last will reign sole king, and of His kingdom lose no part."

THE JEWISH KINGDOM

In II Chronicles 13:8 we read of " the kingdom of the Lord which is in the hand of the sons of David." What is covered by this phrase is a special kingship over the people of Israel. Note also verse five of the same chapter. This kingdom of God, which began at Sinai, over which Saul, David and his sons were afterward made vicegerents, was clearly a very limited kingdom as compared with God's kingdom overall. However, limited in extent, it deepened in moral and spiritual value. Indeed a very special favor was bestowed upon Israel in being designated as God's kingdom.

There is little signifance in claiming a place in God's universal kingdom when you consider that mere material things as much as intelligent beings, Satan as well as Gabriel, and the most wicked as well as the most virtuous are all included. Obedience to God was the ground on which Israel was constituted His special kingdom (Exod. 19:5-6). As all students of biblical history know, Israel broke their word to God or the covenant, became grossly disobedient (such disobedience culminating in the rejection of His son), and as a special kingdom of God was finally destroyed. Thus we note the term "kingdom of God" is used in a broad sense and also in a limited and special sense.

THE CURRENT KINGDOM UNDER CHRIST

During the time of the preceding kingdom of God over Israel, Daniel made the following prediction: "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed" (Dan. 2:44). This is tantamount to a prediction that the Hebrew nation would cease to be God's kingdom in a special sense. That this was God's plan is seen in the following statement of Jesus: "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it" (Matt. 21:43).

This present kingdom is the one John and Jesus announced was "at hand." In fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Dan. 2:44; Isa. 2:2-4; etc.) this kingdom came into being on the day of Pentecost following the resurrection and subsequent ascension of the Lord (Acts 2). From that point forward, it was always described as a present reality (see Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9; I Corinthians 15:24-25). The present kingdom is the same as the church, the body of Christ, the family of God, the temple of God, the army of the Lord and the vineyard of the Lord, all such tems being but different figures or similes which describe the same thing, viz., the children of God in Christ Jesus, the redeemed.

Yes, the Bible teaches there is yet a future kingdom for the redeemed who are still in this present world. It is not, however, an earthly one of a thousand years duration. Rather, it is the heavenly kingdom of eternity. Listen to the apostle Peter: "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:10-11). Notice that this is addressed to those who are in the current kingdom, but they have not yet entered this future kingdom of eternity and can only do so by meeting the conditions of the text.

So we see that God has one increasing purpose. It evidently was not His pleasure to be our king only in the broadest sense. As you will observe, each of the succeeding kingdoms increases in significance and exclusiveness over the preceding one. And to enter that future kingdom of bliss, we must first become and remain loyal citizens of the present one. Are you in that kingdom?