I have said, and taught many times, that the Kingdom is a present reality. That does not mean there is not an aspect of the Kingdom where we will know, and see, its revelation in a more glorious and literal sense. But, I am amazed at the numbers of believers I have encountered over the years that embrace the kingdom in only a far off, pie in the sky, another time – another place, sense or reality. I believe that understanding often weakens such believers sense of purpose in Him in the present, and is used of the adversary to keep them somewhat bound in Egypt (the world) or captive in Babylon (man’s effort to reach God by self effort/works and to make a name for themselves).
The scripture seems to make the present reality of the kingdom obvious to me. What is a kingdom? It’s the place where a certain king exercises dominion, rule and authority; a domain. I will simply define and outline it here as: a place where that certain kings dominion is visible, present, and recognized as a now reality among His subjects, and His authority as King/Lord is not questioned or challenged.
[Colossians 1:13 NASB] 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
This scripture makes it clear that there has been a change of domain and dominion/authority for those that believe! Not that there will be, someday, in the distant future, or on the other side. We have been transferred (past tense/has happened) from the domain/dominion of darkness to the kingdom of God’s beloved son. What is the difference between the “domain of darkness” and the “kingdom of the beloved Son”?
We were rescued from the exousia (Greek- authority/legal power) of darkness. Because of that rescue, it has no authority or power to rule us, as we have been transferred (literally: transposed, transferred, removed from one place to another, changed place or situation) from it to something altogether different! Namely the kingdom of the Son (Jesus) He (God the Father) loves. The kingdom of His beloved son. Kingdom here is not just another use of exousia but the basileia (Greek: royal power, kingship, dominion, rule, right or authority to rule as king, territory subject to the rule of a king). So we were not simply transferred from the authority of darkness. We were moved literally to a different realm, domain, territory…… a Kingdom! The Kingdom of the Son He loves!
Were we called, saved, transferred to make a better world or to manifest a kingdom?
We should understand that this rescue/ salvation involves a transfer that involves recognizing Jesus is King, not merely a savior. Yes! we were rescued/saved, if you will, by the Father. But that salvation and rescue was NOT just from something; the domain of darkness. But a salvation unto something; a transfer to the kingdom of the Son. There is a King in the Kingdom (not just a savior), an Emperor over the Empire. He is to be in charge and is technically the Emperor of an Empire. So the question is one of loyalty and service, to Whom is it due.
In John 3 Jesus has a very interesting conversation with Nicodemus.
[John 3:3-7 NASB95] 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
Jesus makes it clear here there is a change needed if you are to see (vs. 3 – comprehend, understand, see with your eyes, perceive with the mind, know, experience and be acquainted with by experience) the kingdom of God. And enter (vs. 5 – go in, come in, take possession). Again this is not referenced as pie in the sky when we die. Even Nicodemus’s question seeks a now/present explanation. The kingdom exists now! Further on in this conversation Jesus would focus on present realities and His personally bringing things before unseen, and of heaven, to earth. Invading earth with the heavenly. (see vs.10-13
The kingdom exists now! So, in our relationship to Jesus, it is the Kingdom first, and church second. Jesus is building a Kingdom-shaped ekklesia/church, not a church-shaped kingdom(s).
There is a framework/structure that binds all citizens of the Kingdom politically. Christians are first citizens of the Kingdom of God, then members of local churches, and lastly citizens of political nation-states, or part of tribes and clans
Many Christians have been taught the theory that Jesus is their King. But, just not now, not here, not really, not in present reality, and not in any way that counts today. Their practical lives and actions document their faith, that the rulership of Christ, His being King and Lord is irrelevant to them. His being savior matters some, but Lord – not so much.
It is a Christianity where in reality, not the King is in exile, but the people themselves are in exile; in other words: a new Babylonian captivity.
A citizen in God’s Kingdom is someone who is saved by grace and then does the will of the Father. Listening to Him and co-laboring with Him in Jesus, doing works He created us for in Christ beforehand (in eternity past). See Ephesians 2:10.
Some of us live as illegal aliens. We are in the Kingdom, but doing the will of the King is not a real concern.
The greatest deception of traditional Christendom was that it became an accepted fashion to call upon Jesus simply for personal salvation, but to deny him the right to be actual King/Lord. This has created a huge credibility gap in the eyes of the world, who look at Christians as basically hypocritical, not living what they preach.
God is inviting all those who have “called upon Jesus as Lord to be their savior” to complete the second half of that conversion: to call Jesus also their Lord and Emperor, to give up any contest or rebellion, and to become legal and fully functioning royal citizens of his empire and an integral part of its mission. Many have accepted His rescue, but have yet to realize the second part of the rescue of Colossians 1:13 was a transfer into the Kingdom under His King Jesus. This requires us to grasp that His Kingdom is not a democracy; in God’s Kingdom it is He who rules.
Wherever this happens, the Body of Christ suddenly has a Head again – and starts to function as it should. Only there is no limit for such a church as an expression of His body.
The Kingdom of God- is not at all just some future dream people encounter after entering heaven; it is the realm of the uncontested rule of God. The domain within which God is voluntarily obeyed. Nor from coercion and fear, but from love. One you comprehend the fullness of His love in Christ, you can’t help but bow the knee to Jesus as Lord and King.
[Luke 17:20-21 NASB]20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!‘ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Jesus did not come to bring a “Christian” sharia through the constructs of men or what some term now Christian nationalism. But, he did bring the Kingdom! Selah.
It is not a global transformation of this world, into a paradise.
One of the most devastating Kingdom-teachings widespread among many Christians today is the battle cry to create a better world in the name of God.
At the core of this misconception lies the human desire to establish the rule of God over believers and unbelievers alike, to implement a sort of Christian Sharia (enforced Islamic law) in nation-states. Jesus never got involved in the social, political, legal, financial and health-related problems of this world, particularly not through government. Instead, He brought, demonstrated, lived and preached a radical alternative: how life looks under the reign of God.
Those that confuse the Kingdom of God with a strategy for creating a better world fight a hopeless cause. They place themselves at the wrong frontier and waste their precious time, energy and money. Look around: the bulk of Christian finances go into creating a better world.
Jesus has not instructed us to feed all the hungry of this world, to heal all its sicknesses, to get rid of global poverty and make personally sure that everyone on the planet has a decent schooling, safe drinking water and medical health care. These are things that are dictated by our own fallen, and wounded, understanding of justice, but not by God. These are classical issues and tasks of governments, the UN, or even, Bill Gates and other humanistic philanthropists of this world.
Jesus was, unlike most humans, not driven by need, or serving need, but driven by God (John 5:19) serving Him. Jesus went literally with His head raised – eyes locked with his Father in heaven – through a society full of screaming needs and strangled by sin; but he did not solve all the social problems of Palestine, did not healall the sick in the Middle East, did not dig a single well, build a school, hospital or kindergarten. He did not speak at a managers luncheon in a wellness Spa, encouraging others to have more faith for more business. He did what He saw the Father doing in the moment in a very real sense.
Jesus did not come to solve our every problem, but to liberate us, that we might in turn share His liberation and kingdom with others, and model life under the loving rulership of Him in His kingdom.. That is the logic of the cross: what looks like stupidity in the eyes of the world is, in fact, spiritual wisdom
Jesus knew that his followers, having their goals confused, would forever become busy solving the never-ending problems of the world, serving the never-ending needs., And, being so distracted would not have time for their original mission: to expand the rule of God over as many people and people groups as possible. That’s why His instruction was the“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things will be added as needed. And sharing that, modeling that, and encouraging people to be rescued by Him… and live in the transfer under His Lordship is the best we can do for them in His love.
[Matthew 6:31-34 NASB95] 31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Everything starts and ends with the central truth of the living God that Jesus is Lord. There is a King in the Kingdom!