Kingdom Theology Series

Kingdom Theology I

October 28, 2020 5 Minutes

INTRODUCTION

What do you understand by the word kingdom? If we check the dictionary, it is defined as a country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen.

In the Bible, the word kingdom is not new to us. In the New Testament, the Greek word for kingdom is basiliea. It can mean a territory under the rule of a king with royal power, kingship, dominion and rule. But this word kingdom is not foreign in the Old Testament. In Hebrew it is known as mamlakah, which also means sovereignty, reign and dominion.

In the New Testament, the word kingdom is mentioned 162 times. Not only is it mentioned, Jesus Himself taught about the kingdom of GOD.

After Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days, He was tested by Satan before He began His ministry. The very first thing that He preached was the kingdom of GOD. In Matthew 4:17, Jesus says “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Although the concept of the kingdom of GOD is very much mentioned in the Bible, unfortunately there aren’t many explanation, neither it is preach widely in the church today. So what is the understanding of the phase “kingdom of GOD” really means?

WHAT CONSTITUTE A KINGDOM?

There are certain necessity that constitutes a kingdom:-

• • there must be a king;

  • there must be law that rules the country;

  • there must be subjects meaning people; and

  • there must be territory or the land

This is what earthly kingdom is like. Now let’s take a look at the kingdom of GOD?

Lawful King

In history, we often see kingdom changing hands. One day, we see this king, the next day, someone usurp and overthrow the old king and make himself a new king. But the kingdom of GOD, it is a lawful kingdom. GOD is always there being the lawful king. He never usurp His kingship from anyone because HE is the creator of the whole universe. We can see some of the verses in Exodus 15:18 says “The LORD shall reign forever and ever.” or Psalm 47:7 “For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.” These verses actually tells us that GOD is the king.

Law

Did GOD give His people the laws? Yes certainly HE did. In Old Testament, GOD gave the Israelites 3 type of laws:-

• • Ceremonial laws of how to worship Him e.g. to worship only GOD, how to perform sacrifices.

  • Civil laws of how Israel should live to guide their conduct. It helps to deal with disputes of the people, e.g. one should not kill his neighbor’s cow, but what happen if he kills it? What is the restitution to the cow’s owner?

  • Moral law which reflects the moral character of GOD, is to teach them how to live with one another e.g. not to covet our neighbours’ belongings or do not murder.

People

In Exodus 19:5-6, Moses went up to Mt Sinai to meet GOD – “5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Did GOD has His subjects? Yes He did. Israel was His subjects. Israel was to be His priests and a holy nation. This make this kingdom to be a priestly kingdom where GOD’s people are to be holy and taking up the priestly role and reach out to Israel’s neighbours. The role of the priest is to serve GOD and to make atonement of sin of sinners. So Israel is like the intermediate man standing before GOD and the Gentile nations to help bring them to GOD.

Land

Since GOD is the creator of the universe, everything GOD created actually belongs to Him. Psalm 89:11 says “The heavens are Yours, and Yours also the earth; You founded the world and all that is in it”. This includes the earth and the universe.

We see the earthly kingdom is very much similar to the kingdom of GOD. Once we understand what constitutes a kingdom, we are able to grasp the kingdom of GOD easier.

GOD WANTS TO ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM

In Leviticus, we read about the laws given to Israel to follow. In Judges we read that GOD appoints judges to help Him to rule Israel. So these give us an idea that GOD actually wants to be king over His people. Such form of government is known as “theocracy”. GOD does not want man to be king to rule over Israel as He knows too well that human kings will not deliver the people, instead humans kings will will oppress the subjects (1 Sam 8:12-18).

Unfortunately, there is a bit of disruption about His kingdom rule. GOD has no issue with being the king, no issue with the law, no issue with the land but there is some issue with the people for they did not want GOD to be their king. This disruption goes all the way back to Adam and Eve. The source of disruption is found in the sin of man’s disobedience to GOD and seeking independency. The disobedience of man pave the way for Satan to usurp the kingdom from GOD. So Satan became the kingdom of the air . Ephesians 2:1-3 says, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” Thus, we can say Satan’s kingdom is an illegal one which he usurps from GOD.

THE 2 KINGDOMS AT WORK

This gives rise to 2 kingdoms at work. Is there a difference in the 2 kingdoms then? Definitely! The kingdom of GOD is legal for He creates and owns everything. Satan came and stole from Him. While the Kingdom of GOD is redemptive, holy, orderly, love, blessing, peace and salvation, the kingdom for the air is condemnation, sinful, chaos, hatred, suffering and eternal death.

If this world that we are living in is under the control of Satan, is it possible that GOD lost control over His kingdom? Thankfully, in His grace and sovereignty, everything is still in GOD’s planning. The solution to this will come at the right time. The might GOD will never lose His control, if it is so, then He is not GOD anymore. Although Satan has usurped the kingdom of GOD, He has not given up on His idea of kingly rule. It has always been His heartbeat because He knows it is only when His kingly rule on His people, they will be safe, they will be protected and they will be free from bondage and have eternal life.

Then, can the kingdom of GOD be reinstated? We shall explore in Kingdom Theology II.