The Kingdom of God

Matthew 12:28

The kingdom of God (or heaven) carries the idea of God coming into the world to reveal and display His power, glory and authority over all powers, including the power and control of satan in this sinful world. The kingdom speaks of God's present activity and involvement in the course of human events in order to accomplish His purposes and reveal Himself in Hi plans for His people. God's kingdom includes more than spiritual salvation or the work of the church. It is God expressing Himself powerfully in all He does in the world and in individual lives. Therefore, His kingdom involves revealing His ideal purposes and way of life both in the present and into eternity.

In the simplest explanation, the kingdom is a statement and display of God's power in action. God, as King, is beginning His spiritual reign on earth in the hearts and activities of His people (John 14:23; 20:22). He chooses to work out His purposes through those who have devoted themselves to Him. He is involved in the world He created and comes into it with all power. Yet we must not view this power in material or political terms, for God is not looking to prove His might, power and authority to rule through a show of earthly things, such as wealth or military might. Instead, we must realize that God uses His power to bring about spiritual change. His kingdom is not a political theocracy, in which God exercises His control and forces His standards upon the world through an earthly system of government. God's kingdom is not a matter of social or political control over the kingdoms of this world. It is no God's goal at this time to save and reform the world through social or political campaigns or through violence. Until Christ returns to earth to overthrow the forces of evil, the world will remain an enemy of God - opposed to His people and His purposes.

Because God clearly reveals Himself as the One with supreme power, the sinful world is presented with a crisis. Since the world is going its own way and allowing satan to exercise a great deal of control, God's expression of greater power fills the devil's empire with alarm. When the Bible says that God's kingdom has "come near" (Mark 1:15), it means that everyone is faced with the decision either to submit to God's rule or to continue rebelling against Him. The necessary and most basic condition for becoming part of God's kingdom is this: "Repent and believe the good news" (Mark 1:15).  True repentance involves changing our attitude toward God, admitting our sins, turning from our own way, submitting to God and following His purposes rather than our own.

God's intervention is seen in the display of His power. In fact, the coming of God's kingdom marks the beginning of the destruction of satan's rule as it frees people from demonic power and influence and from sin; God uses His power to work miracles and to heal the sick; God's followers  spread the good news of Christ, "because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes and because it convinces people of the reality of sin, righteousness and judgment; Christ baptizes His followers in the Holy Spirit, giving them power to spread His message and accomplish His purposes. The evidence that a person is truly experiencing God's kingdom is the fact that his or her life is characterized by righteousness, peace and jy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).