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…
What is The Kingdom of God?
- In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3:1-2 (NIV)
Isaiah prophesied that John the Baptist would come to ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’.
- Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21 (NIV)
So the next time someone tells you “The kingdom of God is near!” or “The kingdom of heaven is coming soon!”… you will know better. It is already here. 
Side note: the Kingdom of God is sometimes referred to as the Kingdom of Heaven. Specifically in the book of Matthew. This is because the Jews did not pronounce God’s name out loud (out of reverence and respect). Matthew himself was Jewish, and wrote/spoke specifically to the Jews.
Tags: heaven, kingdom of heaven, kingdom of god, new testament, bible study
August 12th, 2006 at 10:16 pm
[…] Those who were baptized had the ability to discern the truth. Those who were not, did not. This lends to the concept of ‘rebirth’ or being (spiritually) ‘born again’ as part of the water baptism experience. Also see 1 Corinthians 3:14 on spiritual discernment. The water washes away your sins (which you repent from), and also represents your spiritual birth into the kingdom of God. (see study on the kingdom of God) […]
August 13th, 2006 at 5:49 am
[…] Jesus often spoke against the Pharisees and the religious leaders of that time. But when Nicodemus came to him, he sat down with him and explained the kingdom of God to him in great detail. I think this is a beautiful story and a perfect example of how kind and giving that Jesus is when you seek him. […]
August 18th, 2006 at 5:24 am
[…] Continuing my studies on the Kingdom of God and Water Baptism, I was reading a paper by Robert Stein titled ‘Baptism and Becoming a Christian in the New Testament’. The questions presented above were presented in this paper… and I found them quite thought provoking. […]
August 19th, 2006 at 12:28 am
[…] Satan would have us believe that being a Christian is difficult. That our only reward is ‘heaven’ and that we wont even likely make it there - because we are weak. Satan doesnt want us to know that the kingdom of God has already arrived, and that we can enter into it anytime that we please. Yes, even in this life here on earth. […]