The kingdom of God is God's reign — over all things by sovereignty, and over his people by saving grace. Jesus' central message: 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel' (Mark 1:15). The kingdom is already inaugurated in Christ and not yet fully consummated.
The kingdom of God (Greek 'basileia tou theou') is the central theme of Jesus' preaching. Matthew uses 'kingdom of heaven' (a reverent Jewish substitution for the same reality). Several biblical truths. (1) God always reigns. Psalm 103:19 — 'his kingdom ruleth over all.' God's sovereign reign over creation is eternal. (2) The kingdom in a special sense breaks in through Christ. Mark 1:14-15 — Jesus' opening message announced the kingdom's arrival. Matthew 12:28 — 'if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.' Christ inaugurates God's saving reign. (3) The kingdom is already and not yet. Inaugurated at Christ's first coming; consummated at his return. Luke 17:21 — 'the kingdom of God is within you' (or 'among you'). Matthew 25:34 — at the final judgment, 'inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' Christians live in this tension. (4) The kingdom is entered by new birth and faith. John 3:3, 5 — 'Except a man be born again... he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Mark 10:15 — receiving the kingdom 'as a little child.' (5) The kingdom has values. Matthew 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount). Beatitudes describe kingdom citizens. The kingdom values are upside-down from the world's — meekness, mourning, mercy. (6) The kingdom advances. Parables of mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), leaven (Matthew 13:33), wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30). The kingdom grows through the gospel. (7) The kingdom will fully arrive. Revelation 11:15 — 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.' At Christ's return, all rival kingdoms fall. Practical implications. (a) Seek the kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). (b) Live by kingdom values. (c) Pray 'thy kingdom come' (Matthew 6:10). (d) Spread the gospel — the kingdom advances through evangelism. (e) Live in already/not-yet tension — anticipate the consummation while serving now.
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation... the kingdom of God is within you.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed... which indeed is the least of all seeds.”
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Seek the kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). Pray 'thy kingdom come' (Matthew 6:10). Live by Sermon on the Mount values. Spread the gospel — kingdom advance. Don't confuse kingdom with political agendas. Live in already/not-yet tension. Anticipate the consummation.
The kingdom of God is God's reign — over all things by sovereignty, and over his people by saving grace. Jesus announced it as the central message of his preaching (Mark 1:14-15). It is inaugurated in his first coming, growing through the gospel, and will be consummated at his return. Citizens of the kingdom enter by new birth and faith, live by its values, and serve its advance.
Both. The kingdom is 'already' inaugurated in Christ's first coming and his Spirit's work (Matthew 12:28; Luke 17:21). It is 'not yet' fully consummated until Christ's return (Matthew 25:31; Revelation 11:15). Christians live in this tension — citizens of an already-real kingdom whose full manifestation is still coming.
John 3:3 — 'Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Mark 10:15 — receive the kingdom as a little child. Entry is by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15). Salvation by grace through faith makes one a citizen of God's kingdom (Colossians 1:13).
Yes — at Christ's return. Revelation 11:15 — 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.' Matthew 25:31-46 describes the final consummation. The kingdom is now growing through the gospel; it will be fully manifest when Christ returns.