Introduction to the Kingdom of God
It is easy for us humans to deviate from God’s will. Throughout history, the church has weaved off the correct path, and a revival was needed to restore things. I believe we need a revival today that gets us back to the Biblical principle of the Kingdom of God. To do this, we need to start at the beginning. What did God create first?
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1
Heaven is the Kingdom of God on Earth
The creation of the earth is the beginning. The planet is the centerpiece of God’s creation. Without the Earth, we have no purpose! Does that not set right with you? If not, it is probably because we need revival! Look at what the Bible says.
- God created us from the earth. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground…” Genesis 2:7
- God created us to rule the earth. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:28
- God created us to care for the earth: “And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15
How much clearer can it be? The church has lost sight of this, hindering us from fulfilling Jesus’ plan. The whole Old Testament speaks about us being part of the earth forever.
For the upright shall dwell in the land,
And the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth,
And the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.Proverbs 2:21–22
For evildoers shall be cut off:
But those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.Psalm 37:9
But the meek shall inherit the earth;
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.Psalm 37:11
The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s:
But the earth hath he given to the children of men.Psalm 115:16
For I know that my redeemer liveth,
And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
Yet in my flesh shall I see God:Job 19:25-26
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2 Peter 3:12–13
Jesus was not being figurative when He declared the meek should inherit the earth!
Salvation is restoring humanity to the Kingdom of God.
This truth is so important because it brings salvation down to earth. It puts salvation in our reality because we are connected to this world, as witnessed by our love for its beauty. The thought of leaving this world makes us uncomfortable. The perfected creation is so important to our God that He sent Jesus to save it. A close look at the beloved verse John 3:16 sheds light on this.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Notice the word “world” here. It appears we take this to mean humanity, which is true, but it is not the fullness of what is being said. The Greek word translated world is kosmos. Kosmos does not mean just humanity; it means the physical world, the systems, and society (https://biblehub.com/greek/2889.htm). In the context of the big picture and what the Old Testament taught us, we should understand that Jesus came to save the original ordained plan in Genesis—a paradise on earth!
When Jesus announced after His baptism that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, He told us He came to restore our place in that plan. The opening of the Holy of Holies was one way God demonstrated this.
And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
Mark 15:37–38
The gospel of the Kingdom, which is the only gospel, is the promise of restoring the earth to its original intentions, which means humanity needs to be fixed. People need to be saved from the coming judgment, where our mighty Lord will cleanse the earth from all evil and set up His Kingdom once again.
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
2 Peter 3:7
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Revelation 22:14–15
The Kingdom of God and the Church
So the question is, what does the Kingdom of God in the church look like? When the church prays, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,” we are literally asking for the Lord’s Kingdom to appear in the church.
What the final Kingdom looks like is summed up in Revelation chapter twenty-two. There is no more sickness or death. All people are doing the will of our Lord. The light (truth) comes from the Lord, and all is in harmony. However, it needs to be practical, and it should be said down to earth.
We can get a glimpse of what the Kingdom of God in the church looked like in Acts and Paul’s writings.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 2:43–47
This caring for one another did not end when people left Jerusalem and returned home. When he wrote this, Paul seemed to be dealing with people who were not participating in the Kingdom.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
2 Thessalonians 3:10–11
Paul tells us that it is through the church that each citizen of the Kingdom of God’s needs are met. It is the connection of the body that supplies the needs of each member.
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:15–16
How can we see the Kingdom of God in action?
I ask my readers to ponder what it would look like to you when you think about how the Lord intended the earth to be and how it will be in the end. I have thought about this many times for months, and here is what I envision.
The church should be as self-stainable as possible. If disaster struck, the church would be able to care for itself. For that to happen, the church would need to be able to supply food, shelter, and clothing. If we were created to cultivate the Garden of Eden, the church should have those good at growing food. Maybe the church has a community garden. Then, some would be good at preserving the foods that are grown. Are there members who know how to sew and make clothing? What about people good at carpentry, plumbing, and mechanics? There should be those who can teach about nutrition and how to cure sicknesses.
You see all these people doing a job to meet the needs of the people and create an opportunity for growth. People need to learn not to be busybodies and lazy. They need to know how to get along and love one another for the Kingdom of God to be demonstrated. Instead of meeting for a few hours on Sunday, the church is a functioning society.
What about preaching the gospel?
Imagine that people saw how good it was in the church. People love each other and meet each other’s needs. Don’t you think that if we tell them this is what happens when you repent of your sins and Jesus becomes Lord? When we tell them they can be part of the Kingdom of God, which will come to fullness at the resurrection, they will want to accept Jesus.
We need revival!
Revival will not come until we do the Lord’s will on Earth as He wants it done from Heaven. How that looks in practice should be understood from our blessed Bible’s grand scheme of things. So, I hope you spend time reading, praying, and envisioning what the Kingdom of God looks like on earth and start to make it happen.