A kingdom is a geographic area or populace over which a king reigns. As we look at human examples we find that areas or people groups could be taken by force or voluntary submission. In either case, at some point, the king would have to delegate some of his authority to trusted subjects. From a Biblical sense, another way of saying kingdom is ‘the government of God.’ It has to do with authority and its use among people.
God in eternity past determined that He would create a universe and populate it with people and angels and would delegate authority to them as co-regents. So, Adam and Eve came into being (Genesis 1-3). As we read these passages, we find God gave Adam five mandates – be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion over it. In saying these things He was giving him authority to rule and reign with Him. This worked for some time (no one knows for sure how long) until they disobeyed God and yielded to the serpent’s temptation. They had been told by God that if they ate of the forbidden fruit they would surely die. On the day they disobeyed they died spiritually. Their relationship with God was broken, although they lived hundreds of years longer (Genesis 5 says Adam died at the age of 930 years). God was not surprised by this and had planned for a Savior to come from the foundation of the earth (Revelation 13:8). Romans 5:12-21 reveals a good comparison between the first Adam and the last Adam, Jesus Christ.
Through the work of Jesus on the Cross, believers have our broken relationship restored! We are sons and daughters of God through the new birth (John 3:3-5). We have been forgiven and restored to the original plan of Father God. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). We stand before Him totally righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). When He looks at us through the blood of Christ, He does not see our sin but Jesus’ righteousness. We have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). He has already given us everything for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). We have been conveyed out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13). So, this means that if we obey His instructions (the Bible & Holy Spirit) we can rule and reign with Him as He planned (Romans 5:17).
The problem is that our position in Christ (standing) is far superior to our present state. All of us have some flesh (areas of our life not yet submitted to the Lordship of Christ). This flesh or selfishness still wants to do some things on its’ own. Although it has been crucified (Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:24) it still tries to raise its’ ugly head from time to time. If we yield to its’ urgings we become disobedient in that area and hinder the work of God in us from being fulfilled as it should be.
Behavior Follows Identity. The solution is to consistently keep renewing the mind (Romans 12:1-2) about who you are and what you possess in Christ to the point that these other things are immediately recognized and anything to the contrary is rejected at the gate of the five senses! In the New Testament, there are 168 things that you are and possess in Christ today! Look for terms like “in Him” or “in whom.” Begin to personalize them by declaring that you are what it says. For example: ‘I am the righteousness of God in Him.” “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” “I am more than a conqueror through Christ.”
Future Kingdom or Present Kingdom. Are we supposed to just exist down here on planet earth doing the best we can until the day when we die and get to go to Heaven?
The Kingdom of God is not just in the future, when we get to Heaven, but exists today! John the Baptist announced it (Matthew 3:2) Jesus proclaimed it (Matthew 4:17) as did others in the New Testament. It is here but not totally manifested in the way it will be in the future. We are told in Matthew 6:10 to pray and declare “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” This is something we should be doing consistently. It is not only a prayer to be prayed but a declaration to be made. Remember, when we say ‘kingdom’ we are saying the government of God, His rulership, and our participation in it.
Life in the Kingdom of God is not just what happens on Sunday! It involves all aspects of life today. Family, job, recreation, friendships, etc. are things that should be brought under the auspices of God’s rulership. Kingdom thinking is realizing the magnitude of God’s presence, authority, and will in all things that concern us as well as what He has planned for the future.
We should begin to see ourselves as citizens of God’s Kingdom, ruling and reigning with Him, now in this life, with even a greater future in eternity!