Jesus Will Establish His Kingdom The Promise and Fulfillment of God’s KingdomThroughout the Bible, the promise of Jesus establishing His kingdom is one of the central themes that brings hope to believers. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world but is a spiritual and eternal realm where God’s will is perfectly carried out. This topic explores the significance of Jesus establishing His kingdom, its nature, and how believers can understand and participate in this divine promise.
The Kingdom of God A Central Theme in Jesus’ Ministry
What is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God is a key concept in the teachings of Jesus. It is not a physical nation or territory but a spiritual reign where God’s will is supreme. Jesus often spoke about the Kingdom of God in His parables, describing it as a place where righteousness, peace, and justice prevail. It represents God’s rule over His people, and the Bible describes it as both a present reality and a future hope.
In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly preached that the Kingdom of God had arrived with His coming, yet it will be fully realized in the future when He returns to establish His reign. Jesus’ teaching on the Kingdom was revolutionary because it emphasized spiritual transformation rather than political conquest. His kingdom was not about worldly power but about bringing peace, salvation, and reconciliation to humanity.
Jesus’ Kingdom Is Not of This World
In John 1836, Jesus clarified the nature of His kingdom when He said, My kingdom is not of this world. This statement helped to distinguish Jesus’ mission from the political expectations many had of the Messiah. While many Jews in Jesus’ time expected the Messiah to establish a physical kingdom that would overthrow the Roman Empire, Jesus’ kingdom was spiritual, focused on the hearts and lives of individuals.
Jesus’ kingdom is not about political control or territorial dominance. Instead, it is a reign of love, grace, and mercy that transforms individuals from the inside out. Those who accept Jesus as their King enter into His kingdom through faith and obedience to His teachings.
The Promise of Jesus’ Kingdom
The Prophecy of the Messiah’s Reign
The promise of Jesus establishing His kingdom was prophesied throughout the Old Testament. The Book of Daniel, for example, speaks of a kingdom that will never be destroyed. In Daniel 244, it says, In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.
This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah, whose coming marked the beginning of God’s eternal kingdom. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection made it possible for this kingdom to be inaugurated, and His return will bring its fulfillment. Jesus is the King of this eternal kingdom, and His reign will never end.
Jesus’ Teachings on the Kingdom
Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught His followers about the nature of the Kingdom of God. One of His most famous teachings is the Lord’s Prayer, where He instructs believers to pray, Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 610). This prayer reflects the desire for God’s reign to be established not just in heaven but on earth as well.
Jesus also told parables to illustrate what the Kingdom of God is like. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 1331-32), He compared the Kingdom to a tiny seed that grows into a large tree, symbolizing the growth of God’s influence in the world. In the Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 1333), Jesus compared the Kingdom to yeast that spreads through dough, illustrating how the message of God’s Kingdom would spread throughout the world, transforming lives.
The Fulfillment of Jesus’ Kingdom
The Kingdom Inaugurated Through Jesus’ First Coming
While the full realization of the Kingdom of God is still to come, it was inaugurated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. His first coming was the beginning of God’s reign on earth. When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He conquered sin and death, making the Kingdom of God accessible to all who believe in Him.
Jesus’ death and resurrection were the means by which He established His Kingdom. Through His sacrifice, He provided a way for people to enter into the Kingdom of God by faith. As Jesus said in Mark 115, The time has come… The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!
The Role of Believers in the Kingdom
While the full establishment of the Kingdom will not happen until Jesus’ second coming, believers today are called to live as citizens of God’s Kingdom. This involves living according to the values of the Kingdom love, peace, justice, and holiness. Christians are called to be ambassadors of the Kingdom, sharing the good news of Jesus’ reign and living in a way that reflects His Kingdom values.
In Luke 1721, Jesus said, The Kingdom of God is in your midst. This indicates that while the Kingdom is still to come in its fullness, it is already present among those who follow Jesus. Believers are invited to experience and reflect the power of the Kingdom in their lives today, living as people who are under the reign of Christ.
The Future Fulfillment of Jesus’ Kingdom
The Return of Jesus
The ultimate establishment of Jesus’ Kingdom will take place when He returns to earth. This is a central teaching in Christian eschatology the study of the end times. Jesus’ second coming will mark the end of the present age and the beginning of the fullness of His Kingdom. Revelation 1115 says, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.
When Jesus returns, He will bring justice and righteousness to the world. His reign will be characterized by peace, as all things will be made new. The Bible teaches that Jesus will judge the living and the dead, rewarding those who have faithfully followed Him and punishing those who have rejected Him.
The New Heaven and New Earth
The book of Revelation also speaks of a new heaven and a new earth where Jesus’ Kingdom will be fully realized. Revelation 211-4 describes this future reality Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
In this new creation, there will be no more suffering or sin. God’s Kingdom will be fully realized, and His reign will be established forever. This is the hope that Christians look forward to the day when Jesus will return to establish His Kingdom in all its fullness.
Living in the Kingdom Today
Kingdom Living in the Present
While the ultimate fulfillment of the Kingdom is yet to come, Christians are called to live as citizens of the Kingdom today. This means living according to the values of God’s Kingdom love, forgiveness, justice, and holiness. It means working for peace, helping the poor and marginalized, and sharing the good news of Jesus with others.
Jesus’ Kingdom is not just a future reality; it is a present calling. Believers are encouraged to pray for God’s Kingdom to come and to actively seek to bring His Kingdom to earth through their actions and words.
The Hope of Jesus’ Kingdom
The promise that Jesus will establish His Kingdom gives Christians hope for the future. It assures them that despite the challenges and struggles of this life, God’s ultimate plan is to bring about a new creation where His reign will be fully established. This hope sustains believers, encouraging them to persevere in faith and obedience.
Conclusion Jesus’ Kingdom Is a Promise of Hope
Jesus’ promise to establish His Kingdom is a central theme in Christian faith and hope. While His Kingdom was inaugurated through His life, death, and resurrection, it will not be fully realized until His return. In the meantime, believers are called to live as citizens of God’s Kingdom, reflecting His values in their lives. The promise of Jesus’ Kingdom provides hope for the future, assuring Christians that one day God’s reign will be established forever, bringing peace, justice, and eternal life for all who follow Jesus.