And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1.22, 23

From beyond

For the Apostles, the Kingdom was centered “above,” where Christ is seated in the heavenly places in glory. But it also exists beyond our present and within us at the same time.

...to [the Apostles] He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1.3

The Kingdom “on the ground”

With the Apostles the Kingdom of God becomes something more than merely a vision; it is a lived reality which they sought and for the expansion of which they labored through all their days. It is an eternal, heavenly realm that is very much “on the ground” and on the move by the Spirit and Word of God working in and through His redeemed people.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it has grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Matthew 13.31, 32

Resistance and persecution

We’re looking at the evidence from Jesus’ teaching that He expected the Kingdom of God to expand and increase on earth as it is in heaven. Temporal expansion and increasing fruitfulness are both in the mind of Christ as He unfolds His Kingdom.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it has grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Matthew 13.31, 32

Inevitable growth

The parables and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ concerning the Kingdom of God reveal just how important this new reality was to His mission. As we have seen, the Kingdom of God held the primacy in Jesus message. It was the defining motif and the overarching objective in all His work and teaching.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”John 15.16

Chosen for a reason

Citizenship in the Kingdom of God ensues when the Lord Jesus calls a lost sinner to repentance and faith, bestowing the gift of the Spirit, according to His Word, and granting new life in the Kingdom of God. All who are thus born from above are equipped with all they need to begin knowing the Lord ever more intimately, personally, and with transforming power.

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17.3

A threefold vision

All who understand the “here and now” aspect of the Kingdom of God will exert themselves to realize as fully as possible the benefits of the reign of King Jesus in their daily lives.

ReVision studies are designed for individual or group use and explore various aspects of the Christian worldview. All ReVision studies are available in free PDF format and may be duplicated for group use.

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4.17

Kingdom come

Undoubtedly Jesus had the clearest vision of the Kingdom of God of all the Kingdom visionaries we’ve seen or will see. We’ve already observed that Jesus regarded the Kingdom as of the highest priority for His followers. We are to “seek first” the Kingdom, not as the first in a series, but the first in everything we do.

Foundations of a Worldview

“And the LORDcommanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORDour God, for our good always…” Deuteronomy 6.24

Foundations of a Worldview

“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORDyour God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.” Deuteronomy 30.6

Foundations of a Worldview

“Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: ‘When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock – of the herd or of the flock.’” Leviticus 1.1

Foundations of a Worldview

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” Genesis 49.10