WHAT IS GOD'S KINGDOM?

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for listening to the Narrow Way Christian Ministry's online Church service, this sermon is a part of the Understanding the Gospel series, and is titled What is God's Kingdom? The purpose of this short sermon is to answer that question, and I would like to begin by reading a scripture from the book of (Acts 14:21-22) And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN HEAVEN

God’s kingdom is the dwelling place of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. There are two aspects of God’s kingdom, a physical aspect, and a spiritual one. The spiritual aspect of God’s kingdom, consists of all of the people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord, and have received the Holy Spirit, as the guarantee of their inheritance of the physical Kingdom of God.

The Bible confirms this in the book of (Ephesians 1:4-14) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

So as you can see from that scripture, those who believe the gospel, and accept Jesus Christ as their saviour become a part of God's spiritual kingdom. The physical kingdom of God is at this present time in heaven, however the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will one day return to overthrow the rulership of Satan, and establish God’s kingdom on earth.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH

Jesus said in the book of (Matthew 6:9-19) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The Bible teaches us to pray for the kingdom of God to be established on earth, the physical kingdom of God is at this present time in heaven, and not on this earth. Jesus taught us that the kingdoms of this world are at this present time being ruled by Satan, and those who worship him (Luke 4:5-7), but the Bible assures us that Jesus Christ will soon return to overthrow Satan, and establish the kingdom of heaven on earth (Revelation 1:3). The Bible describes this event in the book of (Revelation 11:15) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

The Bible teaches us that Satan's kingdom is now coming to its end, and that shortly Jesus Christ will be coming in the clouds with power and great glory to overthrow Satan's kingdom, and the Bible tells us that upon His return Christ will rule this world in righteousness for 1000 years.

the Bible says in the book of (Revelation 19:11-16) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

THE FIRST RESURRECTION

Bible prophecy details the defeat of Satan and the overthrow of his kingdom on this earth, but it also warns us that it will be through great tribulation that Christians will enter into the kingdom of God. After the time of great tribulation, the Lord Jesus Christ will establish the kingdom of heaven on earth, and those who believed in the gospel will become part of God's righteous government. The Bible teaches us that at this time God's people will receive rewards for their service of God's kingdom, and the gift of eternal life through our faith in the gospel of Christ Jesus, this is known in scripture as the first resurrection.

The Bible described the first resurrection in the book of (Revelation 20:4-6) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

NEW JERUSALEM

After the thousand year reign of Christ on earth, God will judge the unbelievers and condemn those who rejected the sacrifice of Jesus. According to the Bible these reprobates will be cast into the lake of fire and experience the Second Death, while Those who believed on Jesus Christ will enter New Jerusalem, which the Bible describes as the eternal kingdom of God.

New Jerusalem is described in the book of (Revelation 21:1-7) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

BECOME PART OF GOD'S KINGDOM

So to answer the question what is God’s kingdom? It can be said those who accept Christ as their Saviour are God’s kingdom. The Bible teaches in (Galatians 3:26-29) that Christians are the Son's of God, through faith in Jesus Christ. We are spiritually God’s kingdom, the Holy Spirit lives inside us, because we are the temple of God on earth (2 Corinthians 6:16). As the spiritual aspect of God’s kingdom, Christians are awaiting the physical coming of God’s kingdom, which will appear shortly after the time of the second coming of Jesus Christ. The second coming of Jesus Christ is the most important event of all time, as it will establish God’s physical kingdom on earth. The only way to be a part of God's kingdom is to believe on the Gospel and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. If you are a Christian listening to this sermon, I praise God that you have accepted sacrifice of Christ and I will see you in the kingdom of God that will shortly come, however if you are not a Christian listening to this sermon I beg you to accept the Good News of God as taught in the Holy Bible, and cry out for Jesus to save you. If you would like to learn more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ please see our sermon titled: WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED, THE GOSPEL MADE SIMPLE, and ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED.