A kingdom is defined by the domain and rulership of a king. So, the kingdom of God is where God himself reigns and rules.
Also referred to as the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God is not limited to the heavenly or supernatural realm. In fact, Jesus Christ came preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, announcing that the presence, authority, and power of God had come down to earth and to his people, Israel.
The relevance of the kingdom of God coming to earth and to God’s people was that it was evidence of prophetic scripture coming to pass (Ezekiel 37:26-28, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:13-14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Zechariah 2:10-11) .
The ever present, all-encompassing issue of mankind’s separation from God would finally be resolved. God would dwell among his people, in proper universal order, as Father, with the Messiah, his living word, as Lord of all.
Kingdom Context for Salvation
The coming of the kingdom of God is the context of salvation for Israel, and it must be our context for understanding salvation in this current Age of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24, Romans 15:16-21) as well.
The main idea behind salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is reconciliation – the separation that existed between God and humanity because of sin has been eradicated by the finished work of Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus himself preached the gospel of the kingdom of God.
Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and is born again by faith becomes alive to the kingdom of God, reconciled to the Father, and able to abide in the presence of God as one of the sons and daughters of God (John 1:1-14, 3:16-18).
But How? Where is the Kingdom of God?
If we can enter into the presence of God, where he resides, in his kingdom, then how? And more importantly, where?
Is heaven coming down to earth in a way we can see? Or is it something you feel?
Jesus told us and Paul expounded; the kingdom of God is not found outside of people, but inside of people.
Generally speaking, kingdoms exist as external places, so it’s quite radical for the Messiah to come and tell us that His kingdom is not a place on earth they should look for but a place inside of them they have to look for. Yet, this is exactly the message we have received.
Remember, a kingdom is the domain of a king in the exercise of their authority; God’s authority and rule must first exist as a manifest reality within you. When God is Lord of all within you, it affects everything that happens through and around you.
Scripture References
Video: Kingdom Dominion
How Does the Kingdom of God Work?
According to the scriptures, the kingdom of God and of heaven is:
- Received (Matthew 18:1-6, Mark 10:15)
- Given (Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:32)
- Taken (Matthew 11:12)
- Like a seed (Mark 4:26-32)
Received as a Child
In order to consciously participate in the reality and culture of the kingdom of God, you must receive the kingdom by faith, as a little child, so that you can then enter into it.
We must be humble, respectful, curious, and insistent on being led by God to receive the precepts, process, and manifestation of the kingdom of God.
Taken by the Violent
Besides access and eligibility to participate in the goings on of the kingdom of heaven, we are also graced the ability to experience the kingdom based on our hunger for it. We don’t have to wait or depend on others to advance in the kingdom of God! If your desire for God is strong enough, you can violently pursue the things of God through his kingdom and essentially take them, according to your faith.
Operates by Seed Time and Harvest
The kingdom of God exists not only in the heavens, but on the inside of believers, and our awareness of it and ability to manifest it grows, like a seed. God communicates to those who submit themselves to his rule and Lordship, and then his living word manifests as we agree with it in everything we do.
God as a Creator uses a pattern of seed planting and harvest that acts as the Law of Growth (Genesis 8:22), whether in the spirit or in the material realm. Living things are manifested with seeds; anything that grows, even figuratively, starts with a seed or seeds. This is the way things are brought forth from the spirit realm into the natural or material realm.
Kingdom Reality
The reality of the kingdom of God is spiritual first, and flows outward. You have to accept this truth by faith and meditate on it often to receive deeper understanding. The kingdom of God is a reality that you must awaken to, as you submit yourself to the word and Spirit of Christ in your decision making and daily living.
What This Means For Me
The power and authority of the kingdom of God live within you – and also the responsibility. The desire in you to do God’s will and the courage to speak and behave like a son or daughter of God is the kingdom of God within you, growing and guiding you by the Holy Spirit to manifest what is already done in heaven, in earth.
Living in the reality of the kingdom of God is a progressive exercise in walking by faith and in the Spirit; it is a lifestyle you learn. However, if you simply put God first in everything you do and seek his presence and guidance in all your ways and decision-making, you will experience the kingdom of God in your life as an authoritative force that stands against evil and makes way for the glory of God in your life.
Key Study References
Genesis 8:22
Isaiah 9:6-7
Matthew 4:23
Matthew 6:9-10
Matthew 6:33
Matthew 11:12
Matthew 12:22-29
Matthew 16:19
Matthew 18:1-6
Mark 1:14-15
Mark 4:26-32
Mark 10:15
Luke 12:32
Luke 17:20-21
Romans 14:17-18
1 Corinthians 4:20
Hebrews 12:28
Genesis 8:22
While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Matthew 6:9-10
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matthew 12:22-29
22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
Matthew 16:19
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:1-6
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mark 1:14-15
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Mark 4:26-32
26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; 27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. 28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Mark 10:15
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 17:20-21
20 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: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Romans 14:17-18
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
1 Corinthians 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
