Kingdom

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God is King of all kings. (Psalm 10:16; 29:10; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16) His sovereignty extends over all creation. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Psalm 50:1; 66:7; 93:1; 103:19; Isaiah 40:15, 17; Daniel 4:34-35; 1 Timothy 6:15)

The “kingdom of God” is fundamental to the message of the 39 books of the Old Testament. Although not addressed by title, the existence of the “kingdom of God” is communicated consistently throughout.

Also fundamental to the message of the New Testament, the “kingdom of God” is referenced in its 27 books more directly and specifically. For example, the phrase “kingdom of God” is used 66 times in the New Testament. It mentions God’s kingdom and kingdom authority over 145 times.

As previously indicated, the meaning of the Hebrew word translated “kingdom” in the Old Testament is malkuth (mal-kooth’). In New Testament Greek it is basileia (bas-il-i'-ah). Similar in meaning, they first and foremost refer to the rank, authority, and sovereignty exercised by a king.[1] Thus, the primary emphasis of the “kingdom of God” in the Bible is the sovereign authority of God. Merely derived from their primary emphasis, the meaning of the Hebrew word malkuth and Greek word basileia is secondarily suggestive of a realm and subjects. Consequently, when Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,” He was not suggesting that the believer should seek a realm or people but personal submission to divine authority. (Matthew 6:33)

The original languages of the Bible indicate that the kingdom of God should be defined as follows:

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Kingdom of God:

The sovereign authority of God manifested in eternity and time for the benefit of His creation.

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Kingdom Attributes

Emphasizing the authority of God, the “kingdom of God” is foremost referent to a heavenly person rather than a heavenly place. (cf. Romans 14:17) Thus, it is reasonable to believe that the divine kingdom shares the attributes of the life (zoe) of its King. Consequently, the kingdom of God is, among other attributes, characterized by:

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Kingdom Attributes	Definition
Sovereignty	The unveiled supremacy of divine life (zoe).
Glory	The illuminating splendor of divine life (zoe).
Infiniteness	The immeasurable boundlessness of divine life (zoe).
Holiness	The moral and ethical perfection of divine life (zoe).
Immutability	The invariability of divine life (zoe).
Life	The absolute fullness of divine life (zoe).
Power	The incomparable power of divine life (zoe).
Illumination	The perfect illumination of divine life (zoe).
Truthfulness	The infallible reality of divine life (zoe).
Love	The sacrificial selflessness of divine life (zoe).
Benevolence	The endless provision of divine life (zoe).
Peacefulness	The unconditional tranquility, harmony, and rest of divine life (zoe).
Immortality	The imperishability of divine life (zoe).

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                                     Kingdom Citizenship

Both angelic and human subjects populate the kingdom of God, the realm of divine authority. Existing in a state of willing submission, they are holy and immortal by nature.

                                     Kingdom Governance

The government of the “kingdom of God” is theocratic. Therefore, God ultimately fulfills its duties.

As previously indicated, God does not govern His eternal kingdom by the rule of law (synonymous with the “law of sin and of death”). He did not create the rule of law for the righteous citizens of the kingdom but for the unrighteous who exist outside of it. The Apostle Paul clarified, “…. law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane.” (1 Timothy 1:9)

The rule of law has an essential purpose for those who do not exist in the kingdom of God. It is the gracious means implemented by God to reveal their transgression. Conversely, without the rule of law there would be no revelation of the transgression of law (sin). Consequently, Paul stated, “… apart from the law sin is dead (nekros ; nek-ros’); ineffective, dead, powerless.” (Romans 7:8) He further said, “… where there is no law there also is no violation.” (Romans 4:15)

Too often, the immature believer presumes that God designed the rule of law to serve as a standard for Christian conduct. Consequently, his spiritual growth is stunted.

Rather than serving as a guide for Christian conduct, the revelation of sin under the rule of law serves as a "tutor" to lead the sinner to the Savior. The Apostle explained, “… the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24)

Relative to its essential purpose of revealing sin, the rule of law is unnecessary in the kingdom of God. The kingdom is not populated by the unrighteous but only the righteous. Consequently, there is no transgression of law (sin) to reveal in the kingdom. Additionally, there is no need to lead the citizens of the kingdom to the Savior. They already share life with Him.

Rather than the commandments, statutes, and ordinances of law, the righteous citizens of the kingdom of God are governed according to the gracious rule of divine life (zoe). Instead of revealing transgression or sin it unveils the righteousness, grace, and glory of the living (zoe) God.

The Apostle Paul distinguished between governance by law and life (zoe). In Romans 8:2 he stated, “…the law (nomos) of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (governance by life (zoe)) has set you free from the law (nomos) of sin and of death (governance by law; cf. Romans 3:20; 4:15; 7:7; 2 Corinthians 3:7-9). In the New Testament, the rule of life (zoe) is described not only as the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus” but the “law of faith,” the “law of Christ,” the “perfect law,” and the “law of liberty.” (Romans 3:27; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2; James 1:25; 2:12) In this book the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus” is typically referred to as the “rule of life.”

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The “kingdom of God” can be briefly defined and described as follows:

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Category	Description
Definition:	The sovereign authority of God manifested in eternity and time for the benefit of His creation.
Realm:	Eternal; transcending the boundaries of created space-time (Psalm 10:16; 29:10; 145:10-13).
Citizenship:	Angelic and human beings.
Character for Citizenship:	Glorious, holy, powerful, and eternal (concordant with the nature of the divine king).
Qualification for Citizenship:	Divinely awarded holiness and immortality; willing submission to the authority of the divine King.
Governance:	Theocratic; by divine life (zoe).

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As used in the Bible, the primary emphasis of the “kingdom of God” is the sovereign authority of God. Consequently, it is foremost referent to the realm of divine authority.

The kingdom of God is populated by angelic and human citizens who exist in a state of willing submission to God. By the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, they are righteous, holy and immortal by nature.

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