“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:11-14 (ESV)

A kingdom usually consists of a least three elements; a king, a realm and subjects. The subjects are the people who are submitted to and ruled by the king. The subjects of the kingdom of God are those people who have submitted to Jesus Christ and have come under the mastery of his lordship (Romans 10:9; 13:14; Ephesians 5:24; Colossians 1:18). These subjects have other identities such as “the church” or “the body of Christ” or “saints.” (1 Corinthians 1:2; 12:27; Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 1:24) The church is not the kingdom but rather the community of the kingdom. Continue reading →

“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.” Matthew 4:23-24 (ESV)

It seems that everywhere Jesus preached the good news he performed miracles; signs and wonders (Luke 7:21). The combination of the message and ministry of Jesus were the manifestation of the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus said, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:28 ESV) The signs and wonders Jesus performed was part of the proclamation of the kingdom of God (Matthew 9:35). Not only did Jesus proclaim and demonstrate the kingdom, he commissioned his disciples to heal the sick and proclaim “the kingdom of God has come near you” (Luke 9:1; 10:9). Jesus wanted people to understand that God’s kingdom consists of more than just words but power also (1 Corinthians 4:20). Continue reading →

“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalms 103:19 (ESV)

Every kingdom has a realm. The realm of the kingdom is the territory over which a king exercises authority. The scriptures clearly tell us that God has complete rule in the universe. David wrote, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV) “For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.” (Psalms 22:28 ESV) Continue reading →