What Exactly is the Kingdom of God?

We have all learned what a kingdom is in our childhood Social Studies classes. A kingdom is a domain with a king as its ruler, hence the compound word king-dom. In this Monarchy type of government, the king’s (or queen’s) word becomes the law upon which the kingdom is founded. The people are subjects that submit to the irrefutable word of the king. Therefore, the Kingdom of God is the system of God’s government based on His laws and the Kingdom of Heaven is where that government is in authority. For example, the United States is a government. Any place that submits to the authority of the United States is apart of its government even if it is disconnected from the mainland. Alaska and Hawaii are two states under the government of the United States even though they are disconnected from the mainland. Likewise, the US has embassies stationed in other countries. However, the land or property upon which the embassy sits is considered US territory. So, in the Earth, the Kingdom of Heaven is wherever people have become citizens of God’s government, and have submitted to His laws.
It is essential that believers come to understand that Christ came to establish a government because our understanding greatly effects how we live. Since believers are citizens of the Kingdom of God rather than members of a religious organization, we have “rights” when we live rightly- or righteously (see articles about righteousness on my website www.amazingkingdom.com ). In fact, many of those rights are listed in Deut 28:1-14. God made a covenant with His people and described a life of great abundance and victory that they would experience if they would diligently obey Him (and His commandments).
God always intended for mankind to dwell with Him eternally (John 10:27-28), experiencing life as a citizen of His kingdom while on earth. He prepared a body to come into the world to redeem His people and salvage His kingdom through the person of Jesus (Hebrews 10:4-10). Christ came bearing a government (Is 9:6-7) and teaching about a kingdom not a religion (Matthew 4:17; Matthew 4:23; Luke 4:43). God’s people are to function as not only priests, but also as senators, ambassadors, citizens, and more in order to advance Heaven’s government on earth while awaiting the return of our King. Here are just a few other scriptures in Matthew to further confirm that purpose: 5:1-3; 6:9-10; 7:21; 13:1-52. Therefore, if this is the message that Christ preached, as His disciples we are to learn this message and teach it to others.

*Although we won’t review all of the scriptures about the Kingdom of God, I believe that an analysis and review of the scriptures mentioned above will certainly confirm Christ’s preaching of the Kingdom of Heaven. Here is a brief overview of His ministry- Christ:

•Came to the earth, bearing a government with the purpose of establishing His government on earth. (Is. 9:6-7)
•Preached the Kingdom of Heaven, which is the government He brought to earth on His shoulders. (Matt.4:17)
•Taught the multitude that we can live above the norm of the nations of the earth, by becoming a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matt. 6:31-33)
•Taught who would gain the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt.5:1-3)
•Taught how we are enter the Kingdom of God- through the narrow gate (Matt. 7:13; John 14:6)
•Taught that not everyone who seeks to become a citizen of Heaven, will become legal and permanent citizens of Heaven. (Matt. 7:21)
•Taught that we must become disciples or students who commit to learning about the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 13:52)
•Commanded His disciples (committed followers) to preach and teach of the Kingdom as well (Matt. 10: 5-7)
•Reemphasized that the very purpose for which He came was to preach the Kingdom (Luke 4:43)
•After preaching and teaching the Kingdom of God for 31/2 years, being crucified so His blood could cleanse the background of those wanting to enter the kingdom, He taught specifically about the Kingdom of God after His resurrection (Acts 1:3)
*This is an excerpt from Kingdom Advancement Training 101 by Anderick Biddle