Realms or reigns of kings. The kingdoms of this world have power under the sovereignty of God. They are ultimately judged by God and will be superseded by the kingdom of God. The phrase “the kingdom of the air” is used to describe the spiritual realm in which Satan operates.
Israel and the kingdoms around her
1 Kings 4:21 See also Deuteronomy 3:21–22, Deuteronomy 28:25; Joshua 11:10; Judges 2:20–3:4; 1 Samuel 10:18; 2 Chronicles 17:10, 2 Chronicles 20:29; Nehemiah 9:22; Jeremiah 34:1
And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.
The kingdoms of this world
God is sovereign over the kingdoms of this world
2 Kings 19:15 parallel Isaiah 37:16 See also 2 Kings 5:1, 2 Kings 19:19; 2 Chronicles 20:6, 2 Chronicles 36:23 parallel Ezra 1:2; Psalm 46:6; Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 45:1
And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: “O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.
The kingdoms of this world will honour and worship God
Psalm 102:21–22 See also Psalm 68:32; Revelation 21:24–26
that they may proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion and praise Him in Jerusalem, when peoples and kingdoms assemble to serve the LORD.
Under the sovereignty of God a succession of kingdoms will rule the earth
Daniel 2:36–43, Daniel 7:17, Daniel 7:23–25, Daniel 8:19–22
The kingdom of God will supersede and be greater than the kingdoms of this world
Revelation 11:15; John 16:33 See also Daniel 2:44–45, Daniel 6:26, Daniel 7:13–14, Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:27
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
God's judgment on the kingdoms of this world
Zephaniah 3:8 See also Psalm 79:6; Isaiah 10:10–11, Isaiah 13:19; Jeremiah 28:8; Daniel 7:26; Haggai 2:22; Revelation 6:15–17
Therefore wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “until the day I rise to testify. For My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them My indignation — all My burning anger. For all the earth will be consumed by the fire of My jealousy.
God's people will be given sovereignty over the kingdoms of this world
Daniel 7:27 See also Jeremiah 1:10; Revelation 2:26–27
Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’
In this world God enables his people to overcome ``kingdoms'' by faith
The devil tempts Jesus Christ by offering him the kingdoms of this world if he will worship him
Matthew 4:8–10 parallel Luke 4:5–8
The kingdom of the air
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.
The kingdom of Satan
See also Matthew 12:26 parallel Luke 11:18
The kingdoms of the sea
Isaiah 23:11 The Phoenicians, who were great sailors, appeared to have dominion over the sea (see Isaiah 23:1–4), but in reality it belongs to God.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.