The Kingdom

Introduction

Below is a description of what the Kingdom of God is.

The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of God is the same as the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 4:17 with Mark 1:15; Matthew 5:3 with Luke 6:20; Matthew 11:11 with Luke 7:28; Matthew 11:12 with Luke 16:16; Matthew 13:11 with Mark 4:11 with Luke 8:10; Matthew 13:31 with Mark 4:30,31; Matthew 19:14 with Mark 10:14; Matthew 19:23 with Luke 18:24).

The Kingdom is Near

The Kingdom is: “at hand” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:14,15). “Near” (Luke 10:9). “Come upon you” (Matthew 12:28); Luke 11:20). “Pressing toward it” (Luke 16:16). The Kingdom can be taken (Matthew 13:44-46). It's not far (Mark 12:34). The Kingdom would occur in their life time (Mark 9:1).

Spiritual

The Kingdom is not the world (John 18:36-37). The Kingdom is in us (Luke 17:21).

Earthly

The Kingdom is under heaven (Daniel 7:13,14,27). Jesus is reigning over the Gentiles (Romans 15:12). His reign will last until he has put all of his enemies under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:24-25).

Now!

Christians are living in the Kingdom (Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 4:19-20; Colossians 1:13-14; & Revelation 19:1). Christians reign with Christ now (Colossians 1:13;3:1 & Ephesians 2:4-6).

The end is on the last day (John 6:44; 11:23-24; 12:48). The wheat and tares grow together until the last day (Matthew 13:30, 49).

Receiving (present tense) a Kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

Kingdom Future...

Jesus will restore the Kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:3). The Kingdom will be on earth (Psalm 37:11 & Matthew 5:3). God's people will reign on earth with Christ (Revelation 5:10).

After Christ's return, there will be a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3: 8-13 and Revelation 21:1-4).

Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).

The early church fathers taught a literal thousand year reign (Justin Maryr 100-165AD; Melito of Sardis 180AD; Irenaeus 130-220AD; Tertullian 155-240AD; Commodian 250AD; Lactantius 250-215; Methodius 311AD and Apollinaris the Younger 384AD).