Blog - The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God
Often the term “kingdom of God” is used hoping that everyone knows what it means. It took me a while to study and to understand the realities and the nuances of what Jesus meant when He spoke to His followers. The richness and understanding available to us today cannot be overstated. Let’s explore together.
1. Every kingdom has a king. Jesus is the King of God’s kingdom, and He rules and reigns forever. His kingdom has no end.
Daniel 7:14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
14 And there was given Him [the Messiah] dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one which shall not be destroyed.
2. Jesus would declare, “The kingdom is near” whenever miracles happened, the Gospel was preached and received, people repented, people were healed, and where God was given glory. God’s reign and authority entered human history through His presence on earth.
Mark 1:14-15 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
14 Now after John was arrested and put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ([a]have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).
3. Jesus used similes, metaphors, and parables to explain what the kingdom of God is like. He chose natural everyday items and situations that the common person would know and understand to make His point.
Luke 13:18-21 AMPC
18 This led Him to say, What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the wild birds found shelter and roosted and nested in its branches.
20 And again He said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of wheat flour or meal until it was all leavened (fermented).
Matthew 13:44-47 AMPC
44 The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field.
45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine and precious pearls,
46 Who, on finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was cast into the sea and gathered in fish of every sort.
Mark 4:26-29 AMPC
26 And He said, The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground,
27 And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases—he knows not how.
28 The earth produces [acting] by itself—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
29 But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.
All of these examples describe the properties of the kingdom of God – that small things become great things, growth happens by the power and presence of God, not because of the effort of man. He explains that the kingdom is so precious that everything else in life can be sold or given away to attain the precious kingdom of God and all that it represents. The kingdom gathers people to God and produces a harvest – a bountiful advancement of God’s kingdom on earth.
4. Jesus tells the those who would hear, “The kingdom is within you.” That was a giant leap, making the kingdom personal and powerful. What He was saying was that a present, real, spiritual kingdom was accessible on the inside of every believer. No longer was their spiritual life a series of observances from the sidelines. They could live in and participate in a relationship with God and live in His goodness and glory.
Luke 17:20-21 AMPC
20 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied to them by saying, The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display,
God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].
5. When we receive Christ, we have received the Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We have access to all we would ever need from God because of His presence in us and around us.
Colossians 2:9-10 AMPC
9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].
10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].
Q: What did you learn from these Scriptures?
Q: How can you apply this knowledge in everyday life?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the truth of Your word. I ask you to give me grace as I learn more about You and Your kingdom. Lead me by Your Spirit. Amen.
Thanks for joining us on this biblical exploration of the kingdom of God! I pray these 5 points and clarifying scriptures have helped you grow in your understanding of God’s kingdom.
If you have questions, feel free to email me at lauriemccarty@wellspring.net
Often the term “kingdom of God” is used hoping that everyone knows what it means. It took me a while to study and to understand the realities and the nuances of what Jesus meant when He spoke to His followers. The richness and understanding available to us today cannot be overstated. Let’s explore together.
1. Every kingdom has a king. Jesus is the King of God’s kingdom, and He rules and reigns forever. His kingdom has no end.
Daniel 7:14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
14 And there was given Him [the Messiah] dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one which shall not be destroyed.
2. Jesus would declare, “The kingdom is near” whenever miracles happened, the Gospel was preached and received, people repented, people were healed, and where God was given glory. God’s reign and authority entered human history through His presence on earth.
Mark 1:14-15 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
14 Now after John was arrested and put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ([a]have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).
3. Jesus used similes, metaphors, and parables to explain what the kingdom of God is like. He chose natural everyday items and situations that the common person would know and understand to make His point.
Luke 13:18-21 AMPC
18 This led Him to say, What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the wild birds found shelter and roosted and nested in its branches.
20 And again He said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of wheat flour or meal until it was all leavened (fermented).
Matthew 13:44-47 AMPC
44 The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field.
45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine and precious pearls,
46 Who, on finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet which was cast into the sea and gathered in fish of every sort.
Mark 4:26-29 AMPC
26 And He said, The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground,
27 And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases—he knows not how.
28 The earth produces [acting] by itself—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
29 But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.
All of these examples describe the properties of the kingdom of God – that small things become great things, growth happens by the power and presence of God, not because of the effort of man. He explains that the kingdom is so precious that everything else in life can be sold or given away to attain the precious kingdom of God and all that it represents. The kingdom gathers people to God and produces a harvest – a bountiful advancement of God’s kingdom on earth.
4. Jesus tells the those who would hear, “The kingdom is within you.” That was a giant leap, making the kingdom personal and powerful. What He was saying was that a present, real, spiritual kingdom was accessible on the inside of every believer. No longer was their spiritual life a series of observances from the sidelines. They could live in and participate in a relationship with God and live in His goodness and glory.
Luke 17:20-21 AMPC
20 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied to them by saying, The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display,
God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].
5. When we receive Christ, we have received the Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We have access to all we would ever need from God because of His presence in us and around us.
Colossians 2:9-10 AMPC
9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].
10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].
Q: What did you learn from these Scriptures?
Q: How can you apply this knowledge in everyday life?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the truth of Your word. I ask you to give me grace as I learn more about You and Your kingdom. Lead me by Your Spirit. Amen.
Thanks for joining us on this biblical exploration of the kingdom of God! I pray these 5 points and clarifying scriptures have helped you grow in your understanding of God’s kingdom.
If you have questions, feel free to email me at lauriemccarty@wellspring.net