What is the Kingdom of God According to the Bible?
Many people have heard the term “Kingdom of God,” but few really understand what it is. Throughout the entire Bible, this was the central message! John the Baptist preached the Kingdom of God, Jesus preached it, and the apostles preached it. The last question that Jesus was asked before He left the earth was, “Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” The coming Kingdom of God is the message that God wants to convey to every person on earth. The crucial question is, will you be a part of it?
King Over All the Earth
We want everyone to understand, straight from scripture, what the kingdom of God is all about. We’re going to start in the Old Testament.
“And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.” Zechariah 14:9
This prophecy in Zechariah refers to the time of the Battle of Armageddon. The nations of the world will come down against Israel to battle in Jerusalem. It’s at that time Jesus Christ will come back, fight for the nation of Israel, and establish His rule on the earth. This passage says that the Lord shall be king over all the earth. That’s the Kingdom of God. In that day there shall be one Lord, and His name one. Let’s look at several other scriptures that also refer to this. In Daniel we see a description of the time when human governments will be put down and the kingdom of God will be established.
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Daniel 2:44
Another prophecy of when Almighty God will rule this world is in Revelation 11.
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
How Do I Become Part of the Kingdom?
The next big question is, “If there’s going to be this wonderful kingdom, where there will be peace on earth, good will toward men, how do I become a part of it? What does it take to enter the Kingdom of God?” There is a phrase in the Bible; “The gospel of the kingdom.” Now, everyone whom God ever sent always preached “the gospel of the kingdom.” Even in the Old Testament it was the centrality of their message. This is so important because there is so much in the Bible it is easy for us to get off track and forget what the heart and soul of the gospel really is. It is the gospel of the kingdom. We’re going to find out here that John the Baptist preached it. Jesus preached it. The Apostles preached the gospel of the kingdom. Let’s look at the scriptures that show us explicitly:
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2
So, John preached the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of God. The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are synonymous.
“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 4:23
We know it was preached by Daniel, when he said, “…in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom.” That was the kingdom of God.
Most importantly, He sent us to preach it. He commissioned His disciples in Luke 9, where He told them to preach the gospel of the kingdom.
“And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:2
What Does It Take to Enter the Kingdom of God?
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:1-5
The Three Steps of Calvary
The Bible teaches that there are three steps to the work of Jesus Christ at Calvary; the death, the burial, and the resurrection. If we accept what happened on that cross, this is what we oftentimes call, “accepting Christ.” We refer to it as, “accepting Christ as you personal Savior.” How do I do that? How do I know when I’ve done it biblically? Do I just hope that I do it right, and maybe I’m saved? Every prophecy in the Bible points straight to the setting up of the Kingdom of God. And the capstone of understanding the Bible is to know how to enter the Kingdom of God.
The Bible teaches us that the plan of salvation was accomplished by Jesus Christ at Calvary, and we must accept what He did there. We accept the work of Jesus Christ by obeying the gospel. The gospel of the kingdom is the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, resulting in entering the Kingdom of God. But how do we obey the gospel? Lets go now to 2 Thessalonians, because it tells us there the consequences of not obeying the gospel.
“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
Not knowing God is equivalent to not obeying the gospel. So how can we obey the gospel if we don’t know how to obey the gospel? We are told the gospel is “the good news.” The Bible does describe this for us. The Apostle Paul wrote, concerning the gospel:
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
So, the gospel isn’t just “the good news.” The good news is more than that. The good news is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The good news is that we can have eternal life. The gospel not only tells us that we can have eternal life, but how to have eternal life. And that gospel is that we have been redeemed and can be born again through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
See What Do You Mean Born Again? for more information.
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The “Kingdom of God” will occur when King Jesus returns to Jerusalem again :
Born again Believers in Jesus Christ are also in the Kingdom of Heaven in this age and will return with Jesus Christ;
The Kingdom of God was born when Jesus was crucified. The Church is the Kingdom of God, so therefore, the Kingdom of God is already her and She is within us. Since God gave us free will, we can choose to be a member or not. Remember, Satan may be the “prince” of this world, but God is the King. He always was, is and will always be. AND, Jesus promised that the “gates of Hell” will not prevail against Her. Considering all the tribulations and scandals the Church has been through, people can’t believe She still stands. The answer to that is: We don’t leave Jesus because of Judas!! Hence, the “gates of Hell” will NOT prevail against Her. God bless.
Luke 17:20,21 For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.
My heart aches that so many believers have not been taught the Kingdom of God message. What happened to bible study in our churches? Why aren’t we talking about end time events. I was blessed that at my former church my pastor taught us about end time events. We studied Thessalonians about the rapture and many books of Revelations. I am grieving for those that are not being taught truth, but at the same this points to the return of Christ. God has been showing me and making me revisit His basic truths about Christian living. For this season of my life, this is what the Lord has spoken to me to share with others… these are paraphrased1) don’t put new wine in old wineskins 2) narrow is the gate 3) trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight and 4) we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, that God prepared in advance for us to do…I’ve been walking with lord for 19 years, but was introduced to him about 30 years ago. I am reborn again, filled with the Holy Spirit, and doing good works. But, this is about maturity. When God brought these verses to me, Kingdom living and doing is what stands out. Accepting the gospel truth should bring about new wineskins, we are to enter in the narrow gate — beware of false teaching and false prophets, we are in a time of counterfeit Christianity. We have to know what differentiates God’s kingdom from religions and counterfeit Christianity. We have trust in God and submit all to Him. He will make out paths straight — once again, narrow is the gate. Then, we can do the work that God has ordained in advance for us to do. We are then fruitful obeying the Lord and going and doing what He says as we have built a foundation and are on the straight path maturing each day in Christ. We are to be disciples and make disciples preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. I agree with all I read above and I pray that I witness AND make disciples based on the foundational TRUTH of God’s Word not with words that teach self reliance and self gratitude, many want selfish needs fulfilled and met by the church. Oh Lord, I cry out, let us deny ourselves and live for you. Let it begin with me and let me spread it to others…the Kingdom of God is at hand.
And of course, whithin being born again, and the baptism of water – then fire.But one should not look at these as like a list to check off, for there can be other ways of “not” achieving eternal life, such as not being able to forgive and even let go of trespasses of one’s self and others .Forgiveness is important and with that, the love of God can have the compassion and mercy needed. Casting away any hatred within ones self and earnestly meaning it is important, that includes the want of vengence and conflict. How can one earnestly forgive if revenge or vengence/conflict is on ones mind??? Then there is doing works, with faith, and that will build up grace . Basically – be like Jesus, not just for a time, but in all understanding throughout ones life…-.
Thank you so much, I love the word of God, I am filled with the Holy Ghost, and very day I give thanks unto my Lord Jesus for the gift. Acts 2:38
Help me understand…ref john 3..Jesus szaid unless u r born again you can not see or enter kingdom of God. So my how is it.that those who make it alive out.of battle of Armageddon be able to live in the kindom of God? If I’m understanding correctly the “kingdom of God dvd”. Thanks for response and help with clearity. In Christ.Nell
The ones who make it out alive after the battle of Armageddon, and did not take the mark of the beast will be aloud to live in the 1,000 year reign of Christ.
Thank you…so are you saying, that there will be no need for them to have been “born again”
the way they would have had to be before this(Armageddon) took place. The repentance,baptism, received Holy Ghost…born again experience, is obsolete at that time?
Throughout all of the different dispensations, God has always had a plan of salvation that was coupled with belief and faith. For Adam and Eve, it was tending to the garden, walking with God, and not eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For Noah, it was believing that the rain was coming and to get onto the ark. From Moses until Jesus, it was belief in and following the law. So, all this is saying is that there will be a form of salvation that everyone will have to go through during the 1,000 year reign of Christ; We just don’t know what it is yet.
No more hindrance no more fear thank you Jesus I am here.
Jesus is the truth, I am the life, the way and truth..We must obey his word, John 3:3 we must be born again of the water and spirit to see the kingdom of heaven.
The name of the father son and holy ghost is Jesus, The Lord is one. I am so thankful, Jesus has revealed the truth to me…God bless you, In Jesus Name.
The name of the Father,Son and Holy Ghost is NOT Jesus. They are 3 seperate members of the Godhead and they are ONE GOD. Blessed Trinity.
Jesus is the full Godhead..
Yes, the Bible says that there is one God. But not one god-head comprised of three separate deities. The Bible is clear on this fact. Bible says that there is none besides Him: Isaiah 44:6,8; Isaiah 45:5,6,21; Isaiah 47:8,10; Hosea 13:4; Zephaniah 2:15. Bible says that there is none with Him, Deuteronomy 32:39. The Bible says that there is none like Him, 2 Samuel 7:22 and Deuteronomy 46:9. The Bible also says that the Father will become the Son. So God Himself came down in flesh to become our savior. God bless.
The Bible mentions “heaven” in the New Testament 277 times, so I don’t think the Kingdom of God is the same as the place called Heaven. Again, I wouldn’t argue the point, but to me, I think the best understanding I have of the Kingdom of God is found in Ephesians 3:15, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” There is a FAMILY in Heaven. I think the Kingdom of God is the family of God. That is my humble opinion. One must be born-again to enter into the family of God. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within us, i.e., the saved… we are part of God’s family. That’s how I look at it.
The Greek word for “kingdom” refers to God’s authority. Satan is the god of this sinful world; but God reigns Supreme! To be a part of God’s Kingdom, one must obey God’s Word. Those who have been born-again have entered into God’s Kingdom already. Every believer already has eternal life. A kingdom must have a King. Jesus is our King. To be a part of God’s Kingdom means that we are on His side, we have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, we are part of the family in Heaven.
If one reads the various Scriptures in the Bible, it seems that the Kingdom of God has several applications and meanings in a broader sense. For example: Luke 22:18 says, “For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.” This Scripture teaches that the Kingdom of God is a future coming event. Yet, Jesus said in Luke 17:21 that “the kingdom of God is within you.” So there seems to be some confusion. I think the answer is clearly that the term, Kingdom of God, has several applications in the Bible; but it all comes down to being part of God’s family, i.e., a child of God.
I think it is safe to say in general terms that the Kingdom of God refers to God’s rule, power and sovereignty as King. We are His family, heirs with Christ to the Kingdom, and present citizens of Heaven. We are strangers and pilgrims passing through this temporal life.
That sounds like a good sermon to me, one of the best I’ve heard in awhile.
Thank you Gilbert! That did help to shine a bit more light on this subject. I had that thought myself.
Wondering if the kingdom of God and heaven are considered to different places for different period…like maybe heaven is where we will reside after the millennium; whether it (heaven) be here on earth or in the heavens above.
Thanks again
I believe that since Jesus said many times that the kingdom of God was at hand. I believe that Jesus(God with us) is the kingdom of God. Believing in him and walking after him is the kingdom. How he wants us to teach our fellow man as he has treated us. Mankind Loving and helping each other and giving praise to God. As it will be when the new Jerusalem comes.
The word for ‘within’ can also be translated “in the midst of.” The kingdom was among them because Jesus was there near them of course and He is the way to the kingdom. This lines up better with other verses that show the kindom of God is a literal kingdom that will be establishe by Christ on earth.
Rev 11:15 says “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
So Christ will rule on earth. Furthermore, Rev 5:10, “And have made us king and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth,” shows that the saints will rule the earth with Christ.
The Kingdom of God is not a geographical location but it is the rule/reign of Jesus in our lives. It is allowing the will of Jesus to be done in our lives. ‘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: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you’ (Luke 17:20-21).
the end of the world the begining of new world in holines with God.Death is a transformation into enternity,whether death or life.You decide that now through the life you live on earth.The kingdom of God is at hand!!!!
Kingdom of god is inside you ………..We are the hands and feet of jesus christ …….We have the choice to overcome evil with good and make a difference here and now ……..When jesus disciples asked him teach us how you pray …………First we pay respect of course to God “our Father who art in heaven Hallowed be your name ………Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven…………. See Heaven has never ending grace and love what more does it need ……Jesus simply said Let your kingdom your grace your mercy your love your forgiveness ……. that’s in heaven Come on Earth just as it is in heaven Now !!!!!! Earth needs Grace forgivenes mercy kindness …God gave us freewill to choose Good or Evil and we as believers have a duty (faith without works is dead (No action) It’s your actions that show belief faith works in christ here now !! We are to act on a situation just as Jesus did ………Heal others ….overcome evil with good …………Instead most of us including me destroy others by temptation…………. In the beginning god bestowed blessings to Adam and Eve Mankind…………That same blessings happened when God came born as a Man .His teachings taught us I’m not going to do everything for you………..I will help and provide and bless you ………But it’s mankind’s duty to continue good over evil …..I showed you jesus taught but gave the disciples power to perform miracles and baptize and “Spread the Good News ………Jesus died for all mankind sins All…. Mankind we have a choice of obedience by Actions ….. Not just words and No action………. Jesus is God and he is coming back to teach us once again and he will rule here on earth for 1000 years then we will have one last Battle with Evil before it is destroyed forever and then all things are New ….New Heaven on Earth……….. See when you overcome evil from your pasts and Repent Turn from old ways …You are New And after Jesus teaches us again we will be transformed meaning New those that choose to Obey ……….. God loves us ……We turn against him all of us ….. He paid the price ……The wage of Sin is death……..But jesus said not all will die before my return ……..God never changes …………We do .We have that freewill to change our ways with help prayer and guidance……But Do we ? Instead Mankind rebels against God throughout Biblical History……..And it’s happening even Now Today ……..So God is gonna say enough and return to Teach us once again ……….. Are you ready for the truth ?
The kingdom of God will be established on earth with Christ ruling. That is precisely what the Preacher explained with bible quotes. It is awesome. The thing to do is to go out in obedience and proclaim it while also teaching those who do not know, how to make it to be part of that glorious time.
Kingdom of God, Love, peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost.
Shalom!
God`s mesage to this world is the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven, they are the same. The church are “the called out” of this world, but still in this world. The true believers represent as ambassadors the Kingdom, which is in them, if Jesus Christ is their King and Lord. They not only proclaim the Kingdom to come, but also manifest it by their deeds. Their blessed hope is the return of their King and the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, where joy, peace and rightessness reigns.
God bless! Benjamin
when Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and said: “the kingdom of God is within you,” He was NOT saying that there was any such thing within the hearts of those demanding self-righteous hypocrites… the better translation would be: “the kingdom of God is among you.” Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of God… they were looking at the Kingdom when they saw Jesus!
You did not speak, either have you written this messages… let me tell you what you deed.
You Open your mount and the voice of the lord came forth. you lay your hand on the keyboard, and the lord God type through you.
He truly lives in you. continue to open your mount and the lord God will continue to voice out through you. in Jesus name Amen.
You are right on and I can understand the prophecies, even the symbols of the nations as I had figured most of them over the years of reading the bible. The feet mingled with clay seems to me represents fragility. Clay is not strong, will not hold up under a storm (wind and rain and floods), such as some churches and incorrect doctrine. My thoughts today. You are so very annointed.
WE AS CHRISTIANS HAVE THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.WE HAVE THE SAME AUTHORITY LIKE ADAM HAD AND JESUS HAS.WE HAVE AUTHORITY FOR PROSPERITY,HEALTH,AND OVER THE ENEMY.WHAT EVER WE BIND ON EARTH IS BOUND IN HEAVEN, AND WHATEVER WE LOOSE IN THE EARTH WILL BE LOOSE IN HEAVEN. IF WE AS CHRISTIANS LEARN HOW THE KINGDOM OF GOD OPERATES, WE WOULD NOT HAVE ANY HUNGRY PEOPLE OR POVERTY. OUR DESTINY AND ASSIGNMENT IS TO FORWARD THE KINGDOM OF GOD UNTIL WE GO TO BE WITH OUR LORD.
The church can’t fix the worlds problems. Jesus said “in this life ye will have troubles’. We can’t fix poverty and famine Jesus said “the poor you will have with you always’. Until God takes the church out and sets up his throne these problems will exist.
God Bless Nick
The Kingdom of God is written in God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation (O.T.to N.T.)and will be found when you search diligently and with your whole heart.
The Kingdom of God was ratified by Jesus Christ, His Only Begotten Son when He walked and taught in this earth.
The Kingdom of God is sealed in each person who accepts God through Christ Jesus, by His Blessed Holy Spirit who teaches and guides us in all truth-The kingdom of God. For the Kingdom of God is within us. May each reader be Blessed by God.
The Kingdom of God within us is peace,joy and righteousness in the Holy Ghost. Thanks to your awesome website that reveals the truth about the Kingdom of God. God is with you.
John 18:36:
“My Kingdom is not of this (Greek) kosmos (this world)… but NOW (Greek nun: “of this present time”) my Kingdom is not from here”
Revelation 11:15:
“And the seventh angel sounded. And there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of (Greek) kosmos (this world) have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ. And He will reign forever and ever.”
Luke 21:24:
“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, UNTIL the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
Galatians 4:25:
“For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which NOW (Greek nun: “of this present time”) is, and is in bondage with her children.”
He was not going to restore the Kingdom to Israel at that time: Acts 1:6-8 – they had forgotten that 42 days earlier He had told them that “this gospel OF THE KINGDOM (Matthew 24:14) shall first be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and (only) then shall the end come.”
Now also remember when jesus told the pharisees the kingdom is near,, Jesus said you won’t see it here or there, because the kingdom of God is Inside Us… First look and find the kingdom And then you can take the plank out of your own eye and help remove that speck of sawdust in your brothers eye….
The Kingdom of God is now on earth…. The Kingdom of Heaven is Jesus Christ.
the kingdom of God is not in the sky it is within our hearts
now i have seen that there is no one like JESUS
The Kingdom is wherever the King is; now seated at the right hand of His Father. We are the Church, the bride, the body of Christ. Our relationship with Him is not King/Subject We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ and we will someday reign with Him when He returns to this earth to establish his Kingdom.
I have to apologize for not understanding what Jesus was doing because blood atonement was used during the time of Moses. Jesus’ father is the God of Moses, and Jesus is more than just a man.
For He(God) made Him(Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him(Jesus)2cor 5:21
Jesus was the final ultimate sacrifice fo all the sins of the world-ever.
I encourage you to read the book of Hebrews. It will sshed a lot of light on this matter.
Thank God for the Gospel! Keep spreading the the Gospel of Christ. In this day and time in the midst of all the destruction that’s going, we need to hear the “Good News of Christ.”
Many are perishing without Him!
God Bless You!
The Kingdom of God lives within you.
I AM REALLY BLESSED TODAY ON YOUR TEACHINGS ON THE KINGDOM OF GOD.IN FACT I HAVE REALLY LEARNT A LOT.PREVIOUSLY I WAS CONTEMPLATING ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.I HAVE LEARNT THAT THEY ARE THE SAME.GOD BLESS YOU!
I don’t believe the kingdom is yet to come. I believe it is and always has been. I believe we have constant access to that kingdom, through Christ, our king and priest.
The KOG is futuristic Kingdom brother for JESUS himself said plainly in Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
At present there is two kingdoms in this world now-LIGHT and Darkness,do you remember the gospel message is the KOG is near REPENT believe the GOOD NEWS
The kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are not the same.
I am very happy to learn that others believe that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven are synonymous. God has only one Kingdom. The Scriptures found in:Mt. 11:12-13 and in Luke 16:16 both address the same messenger, John. The time was the same, the man the same, the message the same, and the kingdom the same.
Great article about the Gospel of the Kingdom. I hope you continue to reach many people with the truth.