The Kingdom of God

A common understanding of a kingdom is the domain of a king – great or small. It includes all the places where a king can exercise his authority. This is true of earthly rulers as it is of God. However, though most Christians are familiar with the term ‘Kingdom of God’, they do not really understand its meaning. To some, it is a distant concept attainable only in the age to come. But to others, it is a realm that can be accessed and enjoyed while here on Earth.

As a soldier, you cannot truly defend what you neither understand nor believe in. In this SOP, we will focus on what the kingdom of God is, how to attain it, the enemies of the kingdom, and most importantly, the different roles we must play for its manifestation.

What is the Kingdom of God? #

The Kingdom of God also referred to as the Kingdom of Heaven is wherever God’s authority reigns and His will is done. The Lord’s prayer gives a hint on where this is:

“This, then, is how you should pray:” ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Mat 6:9-10)

From this text, we see that Heaven is where God’s will is completely done at this time. There, righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne; peace reigns and there is joy in His presence. However, commencing with Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s will is still being on Earth.

With this understanding, we can describe the kingdom of God in two major ways:

An Atmosphere
An Age
The Kingdom God As An Atmosphere;

Although God is sovereign, He typically seeks the agreement of man to do anything on the Earth. The Heavens are His but the Earth He gave to men (Psalm 115:16); He ordains and respects authority (Daniel 7, Romans 13:1 &2). As such, man can bring evil spirits into Earth with their words, actions, and practices.

In the same way, anyone who agrees with what God says becomes a conduit for His presence here on Earth. Like a dedicated object in the temple of Moses, such a person becomes a vessel used in temple service. See Joshua 6:19, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Jeremiah 6:30, and 2 Timothy 2:20-21.

In the Book of Romans, paul describes the kingdom of God as righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. In fact, he adds that anyone who serves Christ this way will not just be pleasing to God, but will get the approval of men (Romans 14:17-20). If we are admonished to practice righteousness (1 John 3:7), be at peace with all (Romans 12:13), and rejoice in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), it, therefore, goes without saying that Christians have the kingdom of God within them. But like every other thing we receive from God, it is the seed form. We must allow it to grow and flourish, as was the plan with the Garden of Eden until it spread all through the Earth. We have our work cut out for us as ambassadors of Christ:

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (2Co 5:18-20).

We are to be representatives of God amongst mankind just as Jesus was (Luke 17:21).

The Kingdom of God As An Age

The Jews expected a warring messiah, who like David would lead them to war, and conquer kingdoms. Little wonder why the disciples asked Jesus:

For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Act 1:6)

Jesus’ reply to this question shows the progression and gradual spread of the kingdom. In addition to this, His return will mark the commencement of a time when God’s Laws will be in force. Everyman will be repaid according to their deed. See Matthew 16:27, 19:27-28.

Read SOP on ACF ROTD for more details.

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Who Has/Will Have Access To The kingdom of God? #

In this age, everyone has been invited to God’s feast; to His kingdom. See the parables in Matthew 22:1-14, and Luke 14:15-24. However, certain attributes will qualify or disqualify us from being partakers, and rulers in the kingdom. Some of them are

Qualifiers
Being Born Again – John 3:3
Righteousness – Matthew 5:20
Meekness – Matthew 5:5
Childlikeness – Matthew 18:3, 19:14
Sharing in Christ’s suffering – 2 Timothy 2:12, Acts 14:22
Perseverance – James 1:12, Hebrew 6:12, Luke 18:8, Phil. 3:10-12, 1 Cor. 9:26-27
Undergoing sanctification – Daniel 7:27
Disqualifiers
Impurity – 1 John 3:3
The Love of Money/Greed – Luke 12:32-34,
The 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 & Galatians 5:19-21List: Sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, swindling, etc.

How To Fight For The Kingdom Of God #

Until the kingdom of God is manifested fully on Earth, we have a war before us. It is our duty to fight; using good as the weapon against evil.

We fight by obeying God – through scriptures or whatever means He chooses to speak.

Read SOP on Spiritual Warfare for more details.

What Are The Enemies of The Kingdom? #

There are two kinds of enemies you will face in your pursuit of the kingdom of God to be established. These are;

Internal Enemies
External Enemies

Internal Enemies: Jesus said that a man’s enemies shall be they of his household (Matthew 10:36). As an individual, you have to conquer internal struggles or they can sabotage a battle. Some of the things to fight against include fear, Pride, laziness, selfishness, distractions, complacency, greed, lust, etc. If these are not dealt with, you will become an enemy of the cross (Philippians 3:17-21). See SOP on each of these for more details.

External Enemies: These are attacks from forces outside you. They include things like witchcraft, persecution, demonic oppression, sickness, death, etc.

As soldiers of Christ, we are to stand against everything that stands against the knowledge of the word of God (2 Corinthians 10:1-6).