Kingdom of God, coming of

The kingdom of God comes into being wherever the kingly authority of God is acknowledged. Although God is always sovereign, Scripture looks to a future “realm” or “reign” of salvation. This has come in Christ and yet will come in its fulness only when Jesus Christ returns.

God is sovereign over Israel and over the whole earth

Psalm 47:7–8 See also Exodus 15:18; 1 Samuel 12:12; 1 Chronicles 16:31, 1 Chronicles 28:5, 1 Chronicles 29:11–12; Psalm 9:7–8, Psalm 45:6, Psalm 93:1–2, Psalm 103:19, Psalm 145:11–13; Isaiah 37:16; Daniel 4:34–35

For God is King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.

The coming reign of God

Its expectation

Isaiah 51:4–5; Mark 15:43 parallel Luke 23:51 See also Isaiah 2:2–4 parallel Micah 4:1–3; Isaiah 32:1; Jeremiah 3:17; Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:21–22, Daniel 7:27; Zechariah 8:22, Zechariah 14:9; Mark 11:10

Pay attention to Me, My people, and listen to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and My justice will become a light to the nations; I will bring it about quickly. My righteousness draws near, My salvation is on the way, and My arms will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look for Me and wait in hope for My arm.

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, boldly went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

Its assocication with the coming of the Messiah

Isaiah 9:6–7; Daniel 7:14 “Son of Man” was Jesus Christ's usual way of referring to himself. See also Isaiah 11:1–9; Jeremiah 23:5–6; Micah 5:2

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

The kingdom of God was central in the preaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles

Matthew 24:14; Luke 8:1; Acts 28:31 See also Matthew 4:17, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 9:35, Matthew 10:7 Jesus Christ's instructions to the Twelve; Mark 1:13–14; Luke 4:43, Luke 9:2, Luke 9:11, Luke 10:9; Acts 1:3, Acts 1:6–8, Acts 8:12, Acts 19:8, Acts 20:25, Acts 28:23

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Soon afterward, Jesus traveled from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him,

Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

The kingdom of God has come in Christ: it is present

Matthew 11:12 Following the Jewish convention of avoiding the use of the divine name, Matthew usually speaks of “the kingdom of heaven”. See also Matthew 3:1–2, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 13:31–32 parallels Mark 4:30–32, Luke 13:18–19; Matthew 13:33 parallel Luke 13:20–21; Matthew 16:28 parallels Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27; Luke 11:20, Luke 16:16, Luke 17:20–21

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.

The kingdom of God will come in its fulness only when Jesus Christ returns: it is future

Luke 22:18 parallels Matthew 26:29, Mark 14:25 See also Matthew 6:10 parallel Luke 11:2; Matthew 25:31, Matthew 25:34; Luke 22:16; 1 Corinthians 15:24; 2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 11:15, Revelation 12:10

For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”