There seems to be a good bit of discussion these days as to whether the kingdom of God/heaven and the church are one in the same. So, permit me to put my two cents worth into the discussion. There is little doubt that the basic meaning of “kingdom” is rule or reign. As it pertains to God and His Son both the rule and realm of that rule. When the Bible speaks of the “kingdom” the context determines the extent and nature of that rule. There is a sense in which the Christ is “king of Kings” making His kingdom, reign, or domain universal over all other powers earthly and heavenly. All power (authority) was given to Him in heaven and earth. (Matt. 18:18). “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ... (Ephesians 1:19-22 KJV) He is the one that is in ultimate control of the universe and all that is in it. Everyone is in the kingdom in that sense, i.e,. they are under his power and dominion. They are in it due to no decision or action of their own. Then there is a more limited sense in which the idea of a kingdom or domain is used that does not include all things and everyone. This is the kingdom or reign prophesied by Daniel and Isaiah. The one accompanied by the word going forth from Jerusalem. In this sense the church and kingdom are one in the same. This kingdom is made up only of those who have voluntarily submitted themselves to the rule of the Messiah. They have the benefit of Christ as king/priest at the right hand of God making intercession for them. They are like those on Pentecost who submitted to the spiritual rule of the Christ and were added to the church. They recognize him as their King and Ruler submitting themselves to his rule or headship. This is the kingdom that Jesus spoke to Peter of when he said he would build his church and give him the keys of the kingdom. This is the kingdom into which the Colossians had been translated (Col. 1:13), being parallel to being added to the church. If you wish to think of it as a kingdom within a kingdom of which Christ is the king/head that is fine. It is this kingdom that we have in mind most of the time when we speak of “the kingdom” and it is the same as the church. A few times the kingdom is spoken of as the future heavenly phase of the kingdom (2 Pet. 1:11; Gal. 5: 21).
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 05:17:29 +0000