Understanding The Biblical Notion Of Kingdom Of God

The Eternal and Temporary Aspects of God's Kingdom

Discuss about the Article for Christian Worldview.

God is the supreme ruler, and as a supreme ruler, He rules the Kingdom in an eternal manner in which He has the complete influence. To understand the biblical notion of “Kingdom”, we have to analyze that it includes many ideas, such as the right to rule the kingdom, a dominion in which God is understood as a ruling authority and the exercise of that authority in reality[1]. From the perspective of the kingdom of God, the Bible has two features, the temporary aspect and the eternal aspect. The eternal aspect of God’s kingdom is understood by four important truths: first, it is eternal, second it is universal and third it is miraculous[2].

In perpetuity past, even before the angels and the men were created, the kingdom seemed to have existed, and this was because of the relationship that existed between the “heavenlies” and the members of trinity. God was regarded as the Sovereign and as the Father of the kingdom. God was regarded as the Son of the Universe and subordinate to the position of Father[3]. God was regarded as the executor of the orders of the Father. Thus, one may conclude that in the past, a kingdom existed which gave the power to the God to exercise his power, rule and authority that he possessed. Thus, all the rudiments that were necessary to realms were present. Kingdom is regarded as an outcome of God and the God continues his rule over the kingdom from one eternity to the other eternity. The kingdom of God was regarded as an angelic monarchy before it was developed on the kingdom of earth. The beatific hosts that were part of the kingdom worshipped and obeyed God and they were subject to the power of the Sovereign. This continued until, Lucifer, the rebel of God had come into existence[4].

To exhibit his right to rule, God ordered his right to rule in the earthly sphere, where he would rule. God created man in the earth who was responsible for the recognition of his right to rule. It was expected out of them to recognize the right of God and to submit to his rights. The Sovereign God ruled through those whom he allocated a part of his power. They were called theocratic administrators[5]. They had the responsibility to follow the orders of God and they had the power to punish those who committed wrong against others and reward those who do well for others. Adam was regarded as the first theocratic administrator who had the responsibility to focus all the formation of God to himself so that through Him the creation might be focus to the power of God. When this kind of governance failed, Adam and Eve was expelled out of the Garden and God changed his theocratic administrator.

Theocratic Administration and Covenants

With the end of Adam’s theocratic administration, God initiated a new form of management in which he used the administrator called Abraham. God promised Abraham a seed, land and a blessing. Through the new administrator, God used his right and power on earth. The Kingdom of Israel  witnessed covenants of God such as the “Abrahamic Covenant, Davidic Covenant, The New covenant and the Palestinian Covenant.” These covenants determined the “Ultimate form of the Kingdom of the God of heaven on Earth.”

The Prophets of the kingdom had the responsibility to glorify the kingdom of God. The Prophets of God had the responsibility to spread the message of God and this created anticipation amongst the people that the covenants shall be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. After years John, a Baptist, said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand”, made an official proclamation.  When Jesus started his administration, he made the same announcement. Jesus was rejected as a Prophet of God in his early years of his administration[6]. The reason behind this was that people could not agree to take him as God. People, however, failed to provide any justified reason for the rejection of Jesus[7]. The general belief of people was that only two paranormal powers could execute visions, Satan and God. If the people were to believe, that Jesus performed miracles with the help of God then that could be considered as a cause of their unbelief, and if he performed miracles then that may become a justified clause for their rejection. Many people rejected Jesus on the ground that he possessed the power of demons and that is why he could perform the miracles. This notion was spread amongst the people easily until Jesus was crucified. Thus one may conclude, that despite Jesus had undergone so many criticisms and was crucified, finally, it was seen that he has come to this earth to spread the message of love, care of God[8].

With the end of Jesus administration, the following questions were brought under consideration that is what shall happen to the kingdom of God in the present age? What appearance will the realm of God take in this current age? What are the necessary features of God’s realm in the present age?

Jesus revealed the answer to this question in the book of Mathew, chapter 3 verse 11. He referred this as “the secrets of the kingdom[9].” The secrets have been revealed in the “Old Testament” and the important features of a “millennial kingdom” have been stated in the Old Testament. However, what the Old Testament has not revealed was that an entire age will prevail between which the Messiah will offer his kingdom to Israel as the next King.

The Relationship between Church and the Kingdom of God

Since the time Jesus was resurrected, he exhausted time with those whom He had selected teaching about the new form of kingdom and preparing his administration similar to that of the Gentile and Jew. The realm of God in the current age was formed by lecturing and spreading the word of God. This was clarified to Peter through the vision that he received in Acts 10.  When Peter, refused to eat something that was unclean in compliance with the Levitical Law, he was told, “Do not call anything that God has made it clean[10].” To ensure that there was no misunderstanding this statement was recurring three times. This made obvious to Peter that the differences that were intrinsic in the “Levitical Law” had been removed and he stated, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.” (vv. 34-35). After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Peter felt free to accept and assert the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In Jerusalem, the acceptance of God was granted easily.

Christians have often misunderstood the relationship between Church and the Kingdom of God. For the Christians the realm of god and Church are synonymous terms of one another. In fact, they are very dissimilar from each other and the realm of God holds a higher position than Church. The main reason why Jesus came to this earth was to found the Kingdom of God. The gospels are the proof that Jesus was constantly teaching about the Kingdom of God. The twelve disciples of Jesus were sent to spread the same truth of the Kingdom of God. In gospels, use the word Church only two times. The Kingdom of God is a much wider term than Church. Church is regarded as part of the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of God is inclusive of every area of life that is under the authority of God and rule. If God rules a home, it becomes a part of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God shall include those places where things are done according to the wishes of God[11]. The main intention of God is to expand His work in every area of life since he is the creator of life. This expansion takes place in two diversified ways, one person should be born as part of His Kingdom and secondly, people are born as part of Kingdom of God through repentance and faith. Being born the second time is the only way when one can enter into the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God also includes those areas where the Christian has authority. Through the authority that Christians hold, that itself becomes a part of the Kingdom of God. The authority that Christians hold as part of their daily life includes family, business, church, judges and Christians. Everything that is outside the scope of kingdom of God becomes part of darkness. Moreover, Satan and evil control the darkness. Things that are part of kingdom of God is considered to be good, pure and helpful for the people. The rule of Satan is regarded as a rule of evil and is opposed to the concept of Kingdom of God[12]. Satan is regarded as a liar, a destroyer, and a destructor of good things around him. He hates God and as a part of kingdom of God, we should hate him as he hates God. The purpose of God is to end the Kingdom of God and to end the Kingdom of Satan[13]. The reason is that God thinks good for their child and Satan thinks bad for the children that God has created. Therefore, we should follow the word of God instead of following the footprints of Satan. Instead of focusing on establishing the kingdom of God, people have focused on establishing the building of Church. For us church has become a place of retreat from the world. Instead of making the Church a place of retreat, one should focus on making it a ground for the Kingdom of God and a recruiting system[14].

The Church must recruit members for the Kingdom of God that is proclaimed in the gospel. God has sent us to become a part of his Kingdom by following his gospel and by following the preaching of Jesus. We should not relate the Kingdom of God to the Church; they are not identical to one another. Instead, we should aim at separating these two wings and we should aim at creating a more secure and a more loving kingdom of God.

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[1] Porter, Stanley E. "DISTINGUISHING A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW AND SUPPOSED CULTURAL ABSOLUTES." McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 15 (2013): 80.

[2] Dahlvig, Jolyn E., and Karen A. Longman. "Influences of an Evangelical Christian Worldview on Women’s Leadership Development." Advances in Developing Human Resources 18, no. 2 (2016): 243-259

[3] Fraser, David A., and Anthony Campolo. Sociology through the eyes of faith. Harper Collins, 2013

[4] Dahlvig, Jolyn E., and Karen A. Longman. "Influences of an Evangelical Christian Worldview on Women’s Leadership Development." Advances in Developing Human Resources 18, no. 2 (2016): 243-259

[5] Fraser, David A., and Anthony Campolo. Sociology through the eyes of faith. Harper Collins, 2013

[6] Porter, Stanley E. "DISTINGUISHING A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW AND SUPPOSED CULTURAL ABSOLUTES." McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 15 (2013): 80.

[7] Dahlvig, Jolyn E., and Karen A. Longman. "Influences of an Evangelical Christian Worldview on Women’s Leadership Development." Advances in Developing Human Resources 18, no. 2 (2016): 243-259

[8] Fraser, David A., and Anthony Campolo. Sociology through the eyes of faith. Harper Collins, 2013

[9] Griffiths, Paul J. Philosophy and the Christian worldview: analysis, assessment and development. Edited by David Werther, and Mark D. Linville. A&C Black, 2012.

[10] Dahlvig, Jolyn E., and Karen A. Longman. "Influences of an Evangelical Christian Worldview on Women’s Leadership Development." Advances in Developing Human Resources 18, no. 2 (2016): 243-259

[11] Griffiths, Paul J. Philosophy and the Christian worldview: analysis, assessment and development. Edited by David Werther, and Mark D. Linville. A&C Black, 2012.

[12] Dahlvig, Jolyn E., and Karen A. Longman. "Influences of an Evangelical Christian Worldview on Women’s Leadership Development." Advances in Developing Human Resources 18, no. 2 (2016): 243-259

[13] Van der Walt, Barend J. "Flying on the wings of Vollenhoven's radical Christian worldview: A reconsideration of the usual typology of Christian worldviews." koers 77, no. 1 (2012): 1.

[14] Griffiths, Paul J. Philosophy and the Christian worldview: analysis, assessment and development. Edited by David Werther, and Mark D. Linville. A&C Black, 2012.