Introduction
This past week we began a summer series based on Jesus’ parables concerning the kingdom of God. To help prepare for and further the material presented in these parables, I thought it would be helpful to ask a fundamental question: What is the kingdom of God?
On the surface, the answer seems simple enough. Yet once we begin asking related questions—such as what did Jesus mean when He proclaimed that the kingdom was “at hand”—the discussion becomes a bit more involved.
In this post, I want to provide a simple definition of the kingdom of God and address a few important questions that naturally arise from the subject.
The Kingdom Before Christ
When many people think about the kingdom of God, their minds immediately go to the New Testament. After all, Jesus arrives on the scene proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). Throughout His ministry, He teaches extensively about the kingdom and uses parables to reveal important truths about the King, the kingdom, and its citizens.
The first question we must consider is this: What did Jesus mean when He said the kingdom was “at hand”?
One possible understanding is to assume that the kingdom did not exist prior to Christ’s arrival. But the Scriptures make it clear that God’s kingdom existed long before the incarnation.
Consider the testimony of Nebuchadnezzar after the Lord humbled him:
“I blessed the Most High and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation” (Dan. 4:34).
Notice that God is portrayed as a King possessing an everlasting dominion. His kingdom is not something that began in the first century. It is everlasting. Likewise, the psalmist declares:
“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all” (Ps. 103:19).
From Genesis onward, God is presented as the sovereign King who rules over all things. His kingdom did not suddenly come into existence when Jesus was born.
An Important Distinction
At this point it is helpful to make a distinction. Theologians have often spoken of God’s kingdom in two senses.
First, there is God’s universal kingdom, whereby He sovereignly rules over all creation. This kingdom has always existed and includes every creature, whether willing or unwilling.
Second, there is God’s redemptive kingdom, whereby God exercises His saving reign through His appointed King over a redeemed people.
While these two aspects of God’s reign should be distinguished, they should not be separated. The God who rules over all things is the same God who is gathering a people for Himself through the gospel.
What Is the Kingdom of God?
Returning to our attempt at trying to define the Kingdom of God, I offer this simple definition:
The kingdom of God is God’s reign through King Jesus over His people and world.
Notice that the kingdom is first and foremost a reign rather than a realm. While kingdoms certainly have citizens and territory, the emphasis in Scripture is upon God’s kingly authority and rule.
This is why Jesus’ teaching consistently directs our attention to the King and His rule. The kingdom is present wherever Christ exercises His authority, subdues His enemies, saves His people, and advances His purposes in the world.
As Reformed theologian Geerhardus Vos observed, the kingdom concerns the realization of God’s kingship in the world. It is God’s sovereign rule being manifested in history for the salvation of His people and the glory of His name.
What Did Jesus Mean by “At Hand”?
If God’s kingdom already existed, why did Jesus proclaim that it was “at hand”?
The answer is that the kingdom arrived in a new and climactic way through the coming of the King Himself.
The phrase “at hand” carries the idea of nearness. Jesus was not announcing the beginning of God’s reign, but the arrival of the long-promised Messianic kingdom foretold by the prophets.
The Old Testament anticipated a coming Son of David who would establish God’s rule, rescue His people, defeat His enemies, and bring blessing to the nations. When Jesus arrived, those promises began to be fulfilled.
In other words, the kingdom was at hand because the King was at hand.
What had been promised for centuries was now breaking into history. The reign of God was being manifested in a new way through Christ’s preaching, miracles, exorcisms, death, resurrection, and eventual ascension.
This helps explain why Jesus could later say:
“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matt. 12:28).
The King had arrived, and His kingdom was advancing.
Conclusion
There is much more that could be said regarding the kingdom and how it relates to other issues (e.g. the already/not yet) and perhaps it will prompt another post. However, what is clear is that understanding or having a working definition of the kingdom is essential.
Jesus, speaking about the kingdom, was not merely offering moral lessons or timeless principles for successful living. He was revealing truths about God’s reign in the world.
His parables teach us about the character of the King, the nature of His kingdom, the citizens who belong to it, and the ultimate triumph of God’s purposes.
As we work through these parables over the coming weeks, keeping a biblical understanding of the kingdom before us will help us better understand what Jesus is teaching and how we are to live as citizens of His kingdom.
Sermon Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ron5vGsSJM