Kingdom: What makes up the Kingdom of God?
Is the Kingdom of God the same as the Kingdom of Heaven? We see both of these titles used in multiple places in the Bible. How are they correctly defined? Is this a case of different terms used to describe the same place and the same people? How do we who are called members of the Body of Christ fit into this, or do we? Unfortunately, most churchgoers have made little or no effort to learn about these things, not realizing what an important difference such knowledge would make in their understanding of the Bible and the things God very much wants them to know.
The term “the Kingdom of God” is used as a reference to the entirety of God’s domain. It, therefore, may refer to a people before or after the formation of that which is called the church which is the Body of Christ. This then means it is used for the regenerate people of Israel in times past as well as believers of today in this which is called the Dispensation of the Grace of God.
Ephesians 3:1-5
1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me [Paul] to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [Emphasis added]
Our focus in this article will be primarily on how this relates to God’s people today. Any time you see the term “the Kingdom of God” in your Bible it is a general reference to God’s domain, the realm of His influence on Earth and/or in Heaven. This term can apply both to regenerate Israel and the church which is called the Body of Christ. But there’s also that which is Satan’s domain. That’s a part of why he’s called the god of this world. We have Bible verses that tell us about that as well as his primary work and objective.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In [or by] whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [Emphasis added]
You’ll find more information about Satan in other articles on this website. Here are the links to several of them—
Satan: What are the basics about him?
Satan: What is his origin, name, and/or titles?
Satan: What does he look like?
Satan: Why does God allow him to exist?
Those people who’ve chosen to submit themselves to God and His provision have been saved from having to share in Satan’s everlasting suffering—
Revelation 20:10
10 And the devil [one of Satan’s titles] that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. [Emphasis added]
This future event is stated as something that happened in the past because it is so certain to occur. This is technically called the prophetic perfect tense. There are some who question the duration of his punishment even as there are some who even question Satan’s existence. However, our Bible is the one completely reliable source for our information about all this and much more.
2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God [THEOPNEUSTOS = God-breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [Emphasis added]
People who don’t accept this are in for a big surprise but not a pleasant one. The day will come when many will be surprised at who became a part of this Kingdom of God and who didn’t. It is the assumption of so many “religious” but unregenerate types that gaining entrance into the Kingdom of God is certain for everyone. But what do the Scriptures tell us about that? Many will be surprised at how few will enter it. Jesus even told a parable that tells us about this—
Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [Emphasis added]
Even though there was a time when works were demanded as the means by which a person had to express their faith for salvation, entrance into God’s Kingdom has always been about grace and faith. Self-righteous “religious” people don’t understand or accept that, even though its such a simple and wonderful principle taught in their Bible.
Genesis 15:6
6 And he [Abraham] believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. [Emphasis added]
This was never about just believing in God but putting one’s faith in His provision for their salvation.
Romans 4:2-5
2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for righteousness. [Emphasis added]
One of the most misunderstood verses about the Kingdom of God is this next verse we’ll note—
Luke 17:21
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. [Emphasis added]
This is the verse that gets quoted when people claim that the Kingdom of God is ALL spiritual and not material. However, there are many passages of Scripture that speak of a literal and physical Kingdom that is coming, but this passage in Luke is speaking of the person of Christ who will be the central figure in that coming prophesied Kingdom. This verse would be best translated the Kingdom of God is in your midst. It was Christ who was there at that time in their midst. Again, Christ is the central figure of that coming earthly Kingdom where He will reign.
We are promised that the day will come when all God’s people will get to enjoy the privilege of reigning with Him.
2 Timothy 2:11-12
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him [being identified with His death on the cross], we shall also live with him [in our resurrection body]:
12 If we suffer [because of our faithfulness to Him], we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us [of certain special blessings]: [Emphasis added]
What we today need to focus on is the “Heavenly” portion of that Kingdom because we are said to already be citizens of it. It is there that we’ll get to live forever.
Philippians 3:20-21
20 For our conversation [POLITEUO = citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. [Emphasis added]
Colossians 1:13
13 Who [Jesus Christ] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us [METHISTANO = changed our standing] into the kingdom of his dear Son: [Emphasis added]
It is the Heavenly Kingdom that we as believers belong to today. But there’s coming a day when regenerate Israel of times past and those who live in the coming time of The Tribulation will live in the earthly portion of God’s Kingdom. It will be a literal, physical, visible earthly Kingdom, modeled after that of King David and King Solomon. Even the prophet Daniel spoke of this.
Daniel 2:44
44 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. [Emphasis added]
All this adds up to the fact that Jesus Christ will one day come back to this Earth to destroy all man’s governments to establish His own. This is why He made certain commands about this in the time of His earthly ministry. Even though it is now our commission to be building what is called the Body of Christ, that body is still a part of God’s overall Kingdom. It was this earthly Kingdom Christ was always talking about during the time of His earthly ministry. Those people knew nothing at all about there coming a day when there would be a people, the church which is the Body of Christ people, who would get to go and live in Heaven. It was the earthly kingdom the people of Israel were to be seeking.
Luke 12:31
31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. [Emphasis added]
Even though the part of that Kingdom He was speaking of in the context of that passage is the earthly one of Israel, we, too, are to be building a part of that Kingdom through our work in evangelism. Each of us have the responsibility of working to lead people to Christ for salvation. Question: Are you doing that? Have you presented the gospel message to anyone lately? Are you actively engaged in even helping others do that? Aren’t all these important questions for all of us? I’m afraid that today things are much as they were in Israel at the time of Christ’s earthly ministry.
Matthew 9:37
37 Then saith he [Christ] unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [Emphasis added]
The phrase “the kingdom of God” appears sixty-nine times in the King James Bible. Fifty-four of those are in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, seven are in Acts, and eight are in Paul’s epistles. The phrase “the Kingdom of Heaven” appears thirty-two times in Matthew but is nowhere found in Mark, Luke, John, Acts, or Paul’s epistles. Both of these terms are used pertaining to Israel. With Paul being our apostle, the apostle to the Gentiles and the apostle whose ministry was directed to those in this present Dispensation of Grace, it is his use of it that should be of most concern to us today. Therefore, let’s look at the things Paul has to say to us about this. We find that there are only thirteen occasions where the phrase “the Kingdom of God” is connected with Paul’s ministry and us today as the Body of Christ church. We’ll begin by looking at three of his passages about it.
The first step in getting to enter our eternal home physically will be the attainment of a resurrected body like our Lord’s.
Philippians 3:21
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. [Emphasis added]
With the attainment of our resurrection body, we’ll get to enjoy Heaven in that perfect body with all the capabilities Christ has in His resurrection body.
Ephesians 2:6-7
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together IN HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ Jesus:
We’re obviously not there yet in bodily form but we are already there positionally.
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. [Emphasis added]
Heaven will then be our new home forever.
2 Corinthians 5:1
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, ETERNAL in the heavens. [Emphasis added]
There are a number of passages in the latter portion of the book of Acts that speak of all this. It is there that we get to see some things that occurred in the time of Paul’s ministry that relate to this. Let’s look at them and see what’s there for us to know.
Acts 14:22
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. [Emphasis added]
This tells us that we should never be surprised at the opposition and the suffering we must deal with in this life because of our identification with Christ. We are also told this plainly in 2 Timothy 3:12. Serving our Lord faithfully always comes with a temporal price but the everlasting reward we’ll receive for it at the Judgment Seat of Christ and in Heaven will make it all worth it. Here’s the link to my article that provides more details about this—
Acts 19:8
8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. [Emphasis added]
This tells us there will always be people who’ll want to debate and argue with us about the things we believe to be true. The opposition is always there if we speak up about the things we believe. This is why we have so many, as I call them, “secret service” Christians. Because of their cowardly attitude these people will someday miss out on so much reward that could have been theirs to enjoy forever.
Acts 20:25-27
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. [Emphasis added]
Paul worked to create every opportunity he could to speak to people about these things. Are YOU in any way engaged in that? Paul was! We are told that he was doing this both day and night.
Acts 28:23
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. [Emphasis added]
Even as a prisoner he worked relentlessly to talk to everyone he could about these things. No matter what they did to him he refused to shut up about it. His confidence and fearlessness to present it never wavered. What a wonderful example he sets for us!
Acts 28:30-31
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching [KERUSSO = proclaiming] the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. [Emphasis added]
So, what’s stopping you from proclaiming these things? What’s keeping you from speaking up about the One who saved you? What’s keeping you from telling people about the good news of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection that could make an everlasting difference in someone’s life? Or what’s keeping you silent about the things pertaining to Dispensational teaching? What a difference you could make in someone’s studies of their Bible if they understood that! The apostle Paul tells us all this is even more important than someone’s “food and drink?”
Romans 14:17
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. [Emphasis added]
All this is not just talk, but powerful information that can change a life forever.
1 Corinthians 4:20
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. [Emphasis added]
Unbelieving people who continue in their rejection of God’s provision for their salvation will never get to be the recipients of God’s blessings.
1 Corinthians 5:9-10
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [Emphasis added]
Paul told the Galatians essentially the same thing.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh [one’s sinful nature] are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [Emphasis added]
Because we are all bodily sinful creatures, God will have to transform us for our entry into His heavenly Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 15:50
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [Emphasis added]
Meanwhile we’re to all work together and be a source of comfort and help to each another.
Colossians 4:10-11
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)
11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. [Emphasis added]
Even though all our blessings are ours by grace through faith alone there’s a sense in which we can “be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God.”
2 Thessalonians 1:4-5
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: [Emphasis added]
Conclusion—
The term “the Kingdom of God” involves all God’s work in relation to mankind. It is divided into two realms: “the Kingdom of heaven” [the believing portion of Israel in a different time] and “the church which is the body of Christ.” The context of the passage tells us if one or both of these groups are a part of what is being stated. Satan is called “a king over all the children of pride” which is made up of all unbelievers.
Job 41:34
34 He boldest all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride. [Emphasis added]
The term “Kingdom of Heaven” refers only to Israel. It is a Kingdom OF Heaven, but it will be ON this Earth. Our apostle Paul never uses this term in relation to us. Instead, we have an inheritance IN heavenly places. Our home is now already in Heaven. We are told that we will someday rule with Christ there. We are not promised any part or role in relation to the one here on a restored Earth where God’s will is going to be done here as it is in Heaven. Our role will be one that’s in the government of Heaven as regenerate Israel will have one that’s here on Earth. As the God of the Bible is glorified in redeemed Israel on Earth, so He is glorified in the Body of Christ in Heaven. He works in and through both and He is the supreme ruler in respect to both.
It is only in Israel’s program that the terms “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven” are used interchangeably. Despite what some will say, this Kingdom is literal, physical, and, therefore, visible.
It is important for us today to know that the only aspect of “the Kingdom of God” that is operating today is the church which is the Body of Christ. There is no regenerate Israel today. If a Jew accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior today, he become a member of the Body of Christ where there are no racial distinctions.
1 Corinthians 12:13
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. [Emphasis added]
For more information about this baptism, please see my article about it—
Baptism: What are we to believe about it?
Israel will be restored as God’s people after our resurrection on the occasion known as the Rapture. Aside from angels, they will be the ones doing the evangelism in the coming seven-year period called The Tribulation leading up to Christ’s return to the Earth to establish an earthly Kingdom. Today, there is no “Kingdom of Heaven” to be preached and no earthly Kingdom that’s to be established. Instead, we are now building this which is called the Body of Christ. The apostle Paul never used the term “the Kingdom of Heaven” with reference to us in any of his epistles. Therefore, we’re not “building the Kingdom” in that sense today as some claim. We’re now building the Body of Christ through our presentations of the apostle Paul’s gospel message. It is THIS that is our ministry today—
2 Corinthians 5:18-21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us THE MINISTRY of reconciliation;
19 To wit [That is to say], that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. [Emphasis added]
For more information about this gospel that is ours today, please see my article about it—
Gospel: Which one is ours today?
My hope and prayer is that this website will be a great help to you in doing that.
