The Doctrine of the Kingdom of God
Jesus’s conversation with Pilate addressed God’s eternal kingdom. Scripture uses the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God” interchangeably to describe God’s sovereign rule and reign throughout history. The Old Testament presents God’s established rule over all creation and all earthly kingdoms.1 God promised David that his descendant, the Messiah, would rule a kingdom without end2 —a promise Jesus came to earth to fulfill.3The kingdom of God describes both a present and future reality. God rules and reigns over all.4 God’s kingdom comes now as people receive the gospel, believe in Jesus, and embrace God’s rule and reign over their lives. God’s kingdom also awaits future consummation, on a day known only by the Father, when His kingdom will be fully realized. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns at the end of human history, He will reign over all people forever in all glory and honor as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.5
People fail to recognize Jesus or are indifferent about who He is—the true King who will reign forever. Without God’s righteous reign in view, life presents only chaos in the here and now and a lack of hope for the future. Human leaders fail and human pursuits disappoint. The limitations of self lead to a life void of God’s infinite blessings and eventually to eternal death and separation from God.
Those who seek God’s kingdom experience fullness of life here on earth as they await the untold blessings of eternity. Seeing God’s sovereign hand over every circumstance and submitting to His rule bring joy and blessings. Life’s disappointments still exist, but God provides hope and strength for every day. With God on His throne, every day we can anticipate a bright tomorrow. God’s children remain steadied by the certain hope of eventually seeing Jesus in all His glory—face-to-face.
1. God’s rule over creation: Genesis 1; Daniel 7:14, 27
2. Enduring kingdom: 2 Samuel 7:16
3. Jesus’s birth: Luke 2:11
4. God’s rule: Revelation 11:15
5. King of Kings: Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-16
Resource: Bible Study Fellowship, People of Promise: Kingdom Divided, Lesson 24, The Gospel of John
1. God’s rule over creation: Genesis 1; Daniel 7:14, 27
2. Enduring kingdom: 2 Samuel 7:16
3. Jesus’s birth: Luke 2:11
4. God’s rule: Revelation 11:15
5. King of Kings: Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 1:7; 19:11-16
Resource: Bible Study Fellowship, People of Promise: Kingdom Divided, Lesson 24, The Gospel of John
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