Do You See the Kingdom of God?

There are many ideas about the kingdom of God: where it is, when it will be, What is is like, etc. But what does the Bible have to say about the kingdom? It is amazing how many people think they know based upon what some one or some preacher told them, but they never have studied the Bible to find out for themselves!

Where is the kingdom of God?

Jesus said "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20)

Jesus is not interested in a earthly throne, for he told Pilate "My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36) The throne Jesus is interested in is our hearts. He wants us to love him faithfully as his servant, from the very depths of our hearts in love. He wants to conquer our hearts by the love he has for us and showed us when he died for us on the cross!

When Jesus witnesses his love to us when we read his Word, or when we hear it from someone, or we see it lived by someone else, then the kingdom of God comes near to us:

"And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." (Luke 10:9-11)

When will the kingdom of God come?

Some would try to put the kingdom of God off until some time in the future and try to say that it has not come yet. But what did Jesus and the Apostles say? Jesus said 2000 years ago that it was "at hand" and that it would come right during that generation:

• "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15)
• "And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." (Mark 9:1)
• "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled." (Luke 21:31-32)
• "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." (Luke 16:16)

The only thing regarding the kingdom of God that will happen later is that at the end of the world, Jesus will deliver it all up to God the Father. Everyone who is already part of it by means of the new birth, or the changed heart, will be delivered up to the Father in heaven to be with him forever.

"Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power." (1 Corinthians 15:24)

So what is the kingdom of God like and who is part of it?
"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17)

Those who are part of the kingdom of God are good and holy. Now none of them started out that way because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But by the power of Jesus' blood to save them from sin (meaning out of sin, not in it) they have been made clean and to live holy.

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

So again the question "Do you see the kingdom of God?" If you have not been saved you may have some greater understanding, but until you have fully repented and had Jesus save you, you still have much you don't see:

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:3-7)

Being "born again" is not the modern "churchy" saying that many religious people claim to have today, but rather it is something life-changing in the very depths of the heart and soul. A change that only Jesus can perform in the heart that will produce such a love for him that you will obey his Word and be faithful to not sin against him.

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil..." (1 John 3:9-10)

Jesus is a powerful King over his kingdom, and he has the power to completely transform your heart and life to the holy way: "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20)