What is “The Kingdom of God”?
Most people will answer this question by saying that it is heaven. And up until yesterday, that is probably the answer that I would have given myself. But yesterday during bible study, a friend and I came across a scripture that intrigued us:
And Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” Mark 9:1 NIV
The people that were ’standing there’ that Jesus was referring to was the crowd that had gathered and also his disciples. There are many other Scriptures in the new testament that speak about the kingdom of God as well. And before I began this recent study of the new testament… I recall reading those same scriptures and thinking that Jesus was referring to his ’second coming’ and the judgement when Christ returns.
In fact, many of those Scriptures are preached or taught in that context! However, careful study will tell us what the kingdom of God really is.
I found one Scripture in particular that really put it in perspective:
“But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Matthew 12:28 (NIV)
This helped me to see and understand that the kingdom of God has already come, and that it resides within us. This quote is from Jesus’ response to the Pharisees when they accused him of being under Satan’s power. Jesus was speaking in the present tense about His power to drive out demons, which he had just done in front of the people (Mark 12:22). As I continued to study, it became even more clear…
(more…)