The Nature of the Kingdom
The Kingdom Defined
God's Sovereign Rule
Description
The kingdom of God is the reign of God over all creation—His sovereign rule exercised through His appointed King, Jesus Christ. It is not primarily a place but a reign, not territory but authority. The kingdom is wherever God's will is done, wherever His rule is acknowledged. It is both a present reality (the kingdom is at hand, the kingdom is within you) and a future consummation (thy kingdom come). The kingdom was the central theme of Jesus' preaching and the burden of apostolic proclamation.
Key Verses
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and 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.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will.
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.