The 5 "W's" to the Kingdom

December 15, 2011 by Christopher B. Davis

The Bible is very clear on what Jesus went about preaching, that is, the gospel of the kingdom- Matt. 4:23. Furthermore, Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom of God- Matt. 6:33. Hence, there must be something significant about the kingdom, and we need to know the basics about the kingdom in order to seek it/focus on it- Mk. 4:11.

Before we go any further, I would like to clarify a possible misunderstanding. Every place in the Gospel of Matthew where the kingdom of heaven is used is the same place in the other Gospels where they use kingdom of God. These Gospels are not opposing, but harmonious. Thus, the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are one in the same, but definitely not two separate kingdoms. With that being said, let’s move on to the five “w’s”— who, what, when, where, and why.

1. What is the kingdom of God, and what does it mean to us? The kingdom of God is the realm/place where God lives and rules/has dominion- Ps. 103:19.(*1) In the Old Testament, God unveiled to mankind a depiction of what His kingdom is; that is, as the specific people He chose—Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Israel (1Chr. 28:5, 2 Chr. 13:8)—and as the Jewish tabernacle (sanctuary/Most Holy- Ex. 25:8, 21-22; 26:33-34). All of which a foreshadow of what was to come- Heb. 9:1-3, 6-12. But in the New Testament, God’s kingdom presence dwelt fully among us in the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.(*2) When Jesus rose and ascended, He made a way for God’s everlasting kingdom presence to continue to dwell among those who believe in Him via the Holy Spirit- Jn. 16:7, Lk. 24:49. As for us, the kingdom citizens, it means we’re branded property of the kingdom, we receive the benefits of the kingdom, we represent and live His kingdom on earth as ambassadors, we possess and administer His words and commands as priest, and we have immediate access to the King and the kingdom as prince and princesses.(*3)

2. Why did God make Himself a kingdom? In His perfect master plan being fulfilled, God’s kingdom (present-tense) would be the key instrument used. When God initially created earth and the Garden of Eden (Gen 1-2:15), He created it as a sculpture of His kingdom to come- Rev. 21:1-3, 9-10ff; 22:1-5. However, God knew that sin would in time possess the dominion He originally gave mankind, corrupt His modeled kingdom, and then in due course He would have to destroy it. Yet before this ultimate destruction took place, God would unveil to mankind what His kingdom is and would be. Then, He would redeem mankind so that when the complete manifestation of His kingdom (future-tense) came to pass, creation could partake and dwell in the fullness of it.

3. Where is the kingdom of God? Jesus shared through the parable of a growing seed and the mustard seed (Mk. 4:26-32) how the kingdom of God starts small and then grows to completion. First, a prefigure(*4) through the Old Covenant. Second, in the realm of the hearts of those who believe- Lk. 17:21, (cf. Matt. 13:18-23, 44). And lastly, it will grow to completion in the realm of the New Heaven and New Earth.

4. When is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is present-tense and future-tense. Its present-tense depiction was the Old Covenant. Its present-tense appearance began with the first coming of Jesus Christ, and is carried on by Jesus’ followers up until Christ returns. The future-tense manifestation begins with Jesus Christ’s millennial reign, and extends forever in the New Heaven and New Earth where God will forever fully dwell amongst all the inhabitants- Rev 21:1-4, 22-23; 22:1-5. Thus, the manifestation of God’s everlasting kingdom will be complete.

5. Who is the kingdom of God for, and who (if it is referring to someone) is it referring to? The kingdom is an instrument for God to use to demonstrate His amazing love and awesome power (Jn. 3:1-21), and it’s for us to witness and participate in this demonstration.(*5) Belonging to the kingdom is the same as belonging to Jesus Christ. Everything we receive from the kingdom we also receive from Jesus. Everything the kingdom stands for, is, and will be, is synonymous to everything Jesus stands for, is, and will be. Jesus Christ is the complete representation, manifestation, and consummation of the kingdom of God. Without Jesus Christ there is no kingdom. For you can’t see or belong to the kingdom without belonging to Jesus Christ- Jn. 1:12; 3:3-6.

My hope is this helped you better understand the kingdom so you can seek it as Christ instructed.

*1. Kingdom in Hebrew (malkuwth and mamlakah) means rule, dominion (empire, realm, royal, reign), and in Greek (basileia) it means royalty i.e. rule; a realm.

*2. Scripture references: Matt. 1:21-23, Lk. 1:32-33, 67-75; 4:17-21, 42-43, Acts 2:22-35.

*3. Scripture references: kingdom citizens- Eph. 2:19, Phil. 3:20, (cf. Heb. 11:13-14); kingdom property- Eph. 1:14; kingdom benefits- Rom. 8:31-33; kingdom ambassadors- 2Cor. 5:20, Jn. 14:7-14; 17:20-23; kingdom priest- Ex. 19:5-6, 1 Pet. 2:5, 9- Rev. 1:4-7, Mal. 2:7; prince and princesses- Jn. 1:12-13, Rom. 8:14-16, Gal. 4:6-7, Eph. 2:18.