What is the Kingdom of God? The secret to abundance and success…
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
It’s the First Key to Understanding God’s Kingdom
Jesus made it very clear that our first priority should be seeking the kingdom of God (Mt. 6:33), but what is the kingdom of God? This is the first key to understanding God’s Kingdom.
It Has a King – Place – People
So, what is the Kingdom of God? Every kingdom requires a king, a territory, and a people over which the king reigns. For the Kingdom of God Jesus is the King. He is the King of Kings. (Rev. 19:16) He rules and reigns over the Kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is located in heaven and on earth. It is a spiritual kingdom. The Kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21) It is an everlasting kingdom. The people of the kingdom are all those who surrender their life to Jesus. Jesus said only those who are “born again” can enter into the kingdom. (John 3)
God’s Kingdom is NOW
The Kingdom of God is a literal kingdom. It is NOW. The apostle Paul explains as believers we are “citizens of heaven” here on earth. (Philippians 3:20) We are in this world, but we are not of this world. We’re foreigners in this land called earth. We are assigned as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God to represent the King to those in this world. (2Corinthians 5:20)
Secret to an Abundant and Fulfilled Life
Jesus prayed “thy kingdom come thy will be down here on earth as it is in heaven”. (Mt. 16:10) The secret to living an abundant and fulfilled life is accomplished only when we understand how to apply the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth – now! Religions postpone the Kingdom to some future experience, but God’s plan also includes for us to enter into Kingdom life NOW and to experience and enjoy the benefits, promises, and privileges of the Kingdom not just when we get to heaven, but here on earth.
God’s Form of Government
We must understand that it was and is God’s plan for us to be governed by a king not a dictatorship, not communism or socialism, not even by a democracy or any other kind of government. God’s form of government is a Kingdom. God created man and put him on earth to rule and have dominion. God’s plan was for the Kingdom of Heaven to be extended to planet earth. His plan was to administrate earths government from Heaven through man.
Man Rejected the Kingdom
However, as a result of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden the human race rejected God’s form of government. The Fall of man was not the loss of heaven but rather the loss of the Kingdom government of heaven on earth. As a result, total anarchy and social and spiritual chaos came upon the earth. When man rejected heaven’s government, man began inventing and installing his own governing programs. Unfortunately, all of man’s efforts have failed. Some have been better than others, but today the spiritual, social, economic, physical, environmental, and cultural conditions of our earth are in trouble. It is obvious we need help. The answer to our problems is a government that is superior to any we have yet invented.
Jesus Came to Preach the Kingdom
God sent His only son to reconcile man back to God and back to the kingdom. At the beginning of his ministry Jesus declared what His primary mission was in Matthew 4:17, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near”
Only Way into the Kingdom is Jesus
A few verses latter Jesus revels the only answer to man’s corrupt spiritual and natural condition of hunger, poverty, and depravity is to receive the Kingdom of Heaven. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3). The only way to receive the Kingdom of God is through Jesus. Jesus is the answer and the way into the Kingdom. The Kingdom is the only source of life and true joy for the heart of man and Jesus’ reveals the solution to man’s earthly condition.
The Kingdom is God’s Plan
The kingdom is God’s original governing design and plan for earth. God’s kingdom design is unique and provides for the greatest benefits to its citizens. The Kingdom of God is the only system of governing that can bring the peace, equality, and fulfillment that mankind longs for.
Our only Hope is Jesus
Throughout history man has attempted to imitate and duplicate the heavenly design of the Kingdom with disappointing results. Man’s efforts to establish kingdom government has produced corrupt, oppressive, and destructive governments. Our only hope is Jesus and the kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God is where Jesus the King of Kings rules and reigns. We must receive Christ to enter into the Kingdom and we must do all we can to help bring others into the Kingdom.
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
