Kingdom of God
Introduction: The eternal Kingdom of God has qualities unlike any temporal kingdom of man that has been or will ever be established on earth. Jesus began to teach about the Kingdom of God after John the Baptist was put into prison, and he chose common men to travel with him and to become his apostles. Jesus taught the good news of the Kingdom to large crowds using various parables recorded in the gospels. Becoming part of God’s Kingdom is only through conversion in the heart, by the mercy and grace of Christ Jesus, and it is for His honor and glory.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the 1769 King James Bible.
A — Jesus Began to Preach First in Galilee
Mark 1 “14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”
Comments: The gospel of Mark opens with the declaration that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that John the Baptist was his messenger who was sent before him as stated in scripture prophecy. Jesus began to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God in the district of Galilee, where Nazareth was located. He called some men to follow him and be “fishers of men.” On the Sabbath day Jesus went into the synagogue and taught, and the power he demonstrated when he cast out unclean spirits who had identified him as the “Holy One of God” caused his reputation to spread widely around Galilee.
B — The Kingdom of God Taught in Parables
Matthew 13 “11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Comments: Jesus taught many people about the Kingdom of God publicly with parables, but even his disciples had difficulty understanding the spiritual message. When he was alone with his apostles, he responded to requests to explain the parables. He began by saying it was given to them to know the mystery of the Kingdom of God — but he used parables so those who are not part of the kingdom would see and hear, but would not have the understanding that could convert them. The parable of the sower explains what prevents the Word of God from producing the “fruit” of serving God. The mustard seed parable shows that even the smallest seed can grow to provide shelter for many.
C — The Kingdom of God Is Not of This World
John 18 “36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
Luke 23 “42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Comments: The disciples were astonished to hear that it is extremely difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom, and that anyone who trusts in their riches will find it very hard — but all things are possible with God. Jesus told the Pharisees that the Kingdom of God would not be seen by observation, nor would anyone say it is here or there, for it is within you. In John 18, Jesus told Pilate his kingdom is not of this world. Jesus said he came into the world to bear witness to the truth, and everyone that is of the truth hears his voice. Even on the cross, Jesus extended his kingdom promise to a dying thief who called on him in faith.
D — Becoming Part of the Kingdom by a Second Birth
John 3 “5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Romans 10 “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Comments: Nicodemus was a teacher of the Jewish law but quite puzzled when Jesus told him that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again. Nicodemus was thinking in terms of a second physical birth, but Jesus was speaking of physical birth followed by spiritual birth by God. In the Apostle Peter’s first letter we read that God the Father through abundant mercy has given each believer a second birth (begotten) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead — an eternal and undefiled inheritance reserved in heaven. Paul wrote that those who declare belief in the Lord Jesus, and have genuine faith in their heart that God has raised him from the dead, shall be saved.
E — Sealed by the Gift of the Holy Spirit unto Eternal Life
Ephesians 1 “13 In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Jude 1 “24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
Comments: God seals with His Holy Spirit each one who believes the gospel of Christ, guaranteeing their mortal body will be replaced with an immortal dwelling for the soul. While we are still on earth in our mortal body, we should speak in ways that can encourage and minister grace to those who hear us. Vile, angry, bitter, or malicious words will cause grief to the Holy Spirit. God’s forgiveness because of Christ’s sacrifice means a forgiven believer should be kind and forgiving to others. Jude reminded his readers to keep building up their holy faith with prayers, knowing the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
F — All Other Kingdoms Will Be Destroyed
Daniel 2 “44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”
Revelation 21 “3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Comments: In Isaiah 45 we are told that the LORD is creator of heaven and earth, and he said he is the LORD and there is none else. He has declared by His own righteous and irrevocable oath that to Him shall every knee bow and every tongue confess that he is LORD. Daniel told the king that the great God had given the dream to show what shall come to pass hereafter: the rock cut from the mountain without hands will destroy all earthly kingdoms and establish a kingdom that will stand forever. God has highly exalted Christ and given him a name which is above every name — that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord Jesus, you began your public ministry in the district of Galilee that had been home for your earthly family, rather than immediately going to Jerusalem to be examined by the Jewish leaders. This reminded me that you came to spread the gospel of salvation to all classes of people. Thank you Lord for the way you presented parables to the crowds, and then gave explanation to your disciples as recorded in Scripture. I willingly confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and I believe in my heart that Christ arose from the dead. I believe that I will share in the inheritance in heaven because through mercy and grace I have been sealed by the Holy Spirit unto redemption. This is the new birth that has reserved an imperishable eternal body for my spirit. I believe you are able to keep me from falling and to present me faultless before the presence of your glory in heaven. To the only wise God our Savior, to you alone belongs all glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Hallelujah, Amen!
Published 26 September 2018