To miss the major theme of the Kingdom of God results in us looking at everything else out of focus. The Kingdom was the cornerstone of all that Jesus taught, lived and demonstrated. Yet if the average Christian were asked to define and explain the Kingdom of God, most would struggle. John the Baptizer came preaching “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Jesus came not as another messenger as some believe, but he came as the very fulfillment of that message. He took the prophetic declarations about the Kingdom and made them reality. So radical and challenging was Jesus message that he was crucified by those who professed to belong to this Kingdom. It was so different to what was expected, John himself began to doubt, later even the Apostles missed some of the deeper meaning, over the centuries much of the Church have lost its truth.

The Kingdom of God in simple terms is God’s government, his rule and reign and dominion in the person of Jesus. As it comes it forces all mankind to face a decision: What will we do with the King of this Kingdom? Isaiah declared “of the increase of His government there will be no end” (Isa 9:7) Practically applied, this means God the father has determined that His Kingdom will keep on coming, ever expanding and growing until all nations are forced to reckon with this glorious King. The Kingdom of God may be hindered or rejected, but it will never be stopped or reversed. It will continue to break in until every person is faced with a decision for or against. The Good News of the Gospel is that all who receive the King step into the glorious realms of the Kingdom. While Jesus said the road is narrow and the entrance into the Kingdom may appear small, he was referring to the fact He alone is the only way in. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one can come to the Father except through me” It is faith in Jesus that provides the free entry point. But it’s an entry into a wonderful expansive realm of glory, freedom, peace, joy and eternal life. This is the promise of God’s rule and reign. Paul wrote in Romans 5:17 “we rule and reign in life through God’s abundant provision of grace and his gift of righteousness” Where ever we live in the knowledge of God’s grace toward us, that his gift of his own righteousness covers us, we will live free of every demonic accusation and all sense of guilt or condemnation.

However we still live in a fallen world that is at war with God’s rule. Therefore Jesus brought some reality to living in the Kingdom while waiting here on earth. In John 16:33 he told his disciples: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer, take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted! For I have overcome the world. I have deprived it of power to harm you and I have conquered it for you.” Despite the difficulties we may face at times, there is a confidence and peace we can live with, it comes as His rule and reign enters our life. It comes through Jesus Christ and through him alone. All we can do is echo Paul’s words 1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.