Studies In The Kingdom Of God

Volume 1: Chapter 2: The Hidden Treasure

"What Is The Kingdom of God Like And To What Shall I Compare It?" Luke 13:18

Whatever our pursuit in life, it is critical to our success that we possess a central purpose and committed allegiance that directs us, keeps us focused, is worthy of our affections and passion, and deeply influences our every thought, word and deed. As followers of Jesus, there can be only one such allegiance and purpose - the Kingdom of God. As children of God and citizens of His Kingdom we must comprehend, embrace, and passionately pursue the Kingdom of God in our lives - its nature, character, purpose and activities.

There are a number of opinions and perceptions of what the Kingdom of God is. Some believe the Kingdom of God is heaven because this is where His throne is currently located. Others believe it is the nation of Israel because He chose them out of all the nations of the earth to be His people. Others believe the Kingdom of God is the Church, the Body of Christ because they are His New Covenant people. Still others believe the Kingdom of God is the earth and all things that inhabit it because it has been His focus from the beginning. Even though all of these statements accurately express an aspect of the Kingdom of God, none quite captures what it actually is.

A clear understanding of what the Scriptures tell us about the Kingdom of God is fundamentally important to our active involvement in the plan and activities of God. Therefore, I will give you a basic, scriptural definition of the Kingdom of God followed by what the Bible actually says about it. Simply stated, the Kingdom of God is the rule of God; the sovereignty and authority God possesses enabling Him to rule. As a result, the Kingdom of God is not limited to heaven, or the Church, or the earth.

Throughout the Scriptures, God's sovereignty and authority to rule is central to His purpose, plans and activities. Righteousness and justice must rule if peace and prosperity are to be the result. Mercy and truth must rule if love and life are to be the fruit. Only God is worthy of such dominion and capable of administrating such a government. It is an absolute blessing when God rules because the foundation of His sovereignty and authority (His throne) are righteousness, justice, mercy, and truth...they flow from His nature, as He rules. His government has ruled from eternity and it will continue to rule in the ages to come.

God's Kingdom is inclusive, not exclusive, as He desires all of His creation to experience the depth of His eternal love and the purity of His eternal life. The Kingdom of God encompasses the vast heavens, where galaxies, stars and planets continue to be created and expand even today. The Kingdom of God includes humanity and the other creatures of this present earth (Genesis 1), as well as creatures from God's previous creative activities; angels, cherubim, and seraphim. Some reside with God in heaven and some will experience eternal separation from God, having rejected the rule of God. God's Kingdom rule is sovereign and this sovereignty is communicated and exhibited through His revealed nature, purposes, plans and activities within His creation.

When we say God is sovereign, we mean He possesses the absolute right and privilege to do all things as He chooses, for His own good pleasure. What we must understand about God's sovereignty is how He has chosen to apply that sovereignty to His Kingdom purposes, plans and activities involving humanity and throughout His dominion. Nothing or no one can rise above or go beyond His sovereignty or exercise privilege and authority over Him because He is the creator of all things and His sovereign authority is over all things. When we understand this we will better comprehend how His Kingdom rule influences and affects us in our daily lives.

The only limiting factor upon God's influence and actions is what God in His sovereignty chooses to establish, Himself. In His sovereign authority, God can willingly choose to limit His influence and activities, even subjecting them to the will of another, if it accomplishes His purposes and produces the results He ultimately desires. Yet, we know that any limitations God may choose to place upon Himself and His actions are wise and faultless because His nature, character and wisdom are absolutely faultless. No one may bring a charge against God's sovereign will, purposes and activities because He rules in all wisdom and acts according to His complete authority and unquestioned character. The question is not whether God is sovereign but how He chooses to apply His sovereignty in order to accomplish His ultimate purpose, for His own glory and good pleasure.