In the N.T., as designating in its Christian sense, the Christian dispensation, or the community of those who received Jesus as the Messiah, and who, united by His Spirit under Him as their Head, rejoice in the truth and live a holy life in love and in communion with him.
This spiritual kingdom has both an internal and an external form. As internal, it already exists and rules in the hearts of all Christians, and is therefore present.
As external, it is either embodied in the visible church of Christ, and in so far is present and progressive; its to be perfected in the coming of the Messiah to judgment and His subsequent spiritual reign in glory, in which view it is future. But these different aspects are not always distinguished; the expression often embracing both the internal and external sense, and referring both to its commencement in this world and its completion in the world to come.
In the N.T:
1. In the Jewish temporal sense, by Jews and by the apostles before the day of Pentecost,
Matt.18:1, The disciples came unto Jesus saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom?
Matt.20:21, She said unto him (Jesus,) Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in your kingdom.
Luke 17:20, Jesus said, Behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Luke 19:11, As they heard these things, He (Jesus) added and spake a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
Acts 1:6, They asked him (Jesus) Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?
2. In the Christian sense, as announced by John, where perhaps something of the Jewish view was intermingled,
Matt.3:2, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Compare also,
Luke 23:51, "He (Joseph of Arimathea,) --- who also himself waiting for the kingdom of God"
As announced by Jesus and others, Matt.4:17-23, 9:35, "Gospel of the kingdom" Matt.10:7, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 10:9-11, Acts 28:31.
3. In the internal spiritual sense;
Rom.14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not meat = (food) and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
Matt.6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God," Also Mark 10:15, Luke 17:21, 18:17, John 3:3-5, 1 Cor.4:20.
4. In the external sense;
As embodied in the visible church and universal spread of the gospel, Matt.6:10, 12:28, 13:24-31-33-41-47, 16:28, Mark 4:30, 11:10, Luke 13:18-20, 2 Pet.1:11, "Into the everlasting kingdom,"
Rev.12:10, I (John) heard a voice saying in heaven, now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ.
In this view it means especially the joy of heaven which is to be enjoyed in the Redeemer's kingdom, as in eternal life,
Matt.8:11, 25:34, "Come, you blessed of my (Jesus) Father, inherit the kingdom,"
Mark 9:47, Luke 13:28-29, Acts 14:22, 1 Cor.6:9-10, 15:50, Gal.5:21, Eph.5:5, 2 Thes.1:5, 2 Tim.4:18, "Heavenly kingdom," Heb.12:28, James 2:5.
Spoken generally of the kingdom; Matt.5:19, 8:12, "Sons of the kingdom," as in the Jews, who thought the Messiah's reign was destined only for them;
But Matt.13:38, "Children of the kingdom," are the true citizens of the kingdom of God. Matt.11:11-12, Matt.13:11, "Because it is given unto you (the disciples) to know the mysteries of the kingdom,"
Matt.13:19, "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart."
Matt.13:44-45-52, "Instructed into the kingdom," Matt.18:4-23, 19:12-24, 20:1.
Spoken also, generally of the privileges and rewards of the kingdom both here and hereafter,
Matt.5:3-10-20, 7:21, 18:3, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Col.1:13, "Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of His = (the Father's) dear Son,"
1 Thes.2:12, That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his Kingdom and glory.
Phil LaSpino taken from seekfirstwisdom
This spiritual kingdom has both an internal and an external form. As internal, it already exists and rules in the hearts of all Christians, and is therefore present.
As external, it is either embodied in the visible church of Christ, and in so far is present and progressive; its to be perfected in the coming of the Messiah to judgment and His subsequent spiritual reign in glory, in which view it is future. But these different aspects are not always distinguished; the expression often embracing both the internal and external sense, and referring both to its commencement in this world and its completion in the world to come.
In the N.T:
1. In the Jewish temporal sense, by Jews and by the apostles before the day of Pentecost,
Matt.18:1, The disciples came unto Jesus saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom?
Matt.20:21, She said unto him (Jesus,) Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in your kingdom.
Luke 17:20, Jesus said, Behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Luke 19:11, As they heard these things, He (Jesus) added and spake a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
Acts 1:6, They asked him (Jesus) Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?
2. In the Christian sense, as announced by John, where perhaps something of the Jewish view was intermingled,
Matt.3:2, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Compare also,
Luke 23:51, "He (Joseph of Arimathea,) --- who also himself waiting for the kingdom of God"
As announced by Jesus and others, Matt.4:17-23, 9:35, "Gospel of the kingdom" Matt.10:7, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 10:9-11, Acts 28:31.
3. In the internal spiritual sense;
Rom.14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not meat = (food) and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
Matt.6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God," Also Mark 10:15, Luke 17:21, 18:17, John 3:3-5, 1 Cor.4:20.
4. In the external sense;
As embodied in the visible church and universal spread of the gospel, Matt.6:10, 12:28, 13:24-31-33-41-47, 16:28, Mark 4:30, 11:10, Luke 13:18-20, 2 Pet.1:11, "Into the everlasting kingdom,"
Rev.12:10, I (John) heard a voice saying in heaven, now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ.
In this view it means especially the joy of heaven which is to be enjoyed in the Redeemer's kingdom, as in eternal life,
Matt.8:11, 25:34, "Come, you blessed of my (Jesus) Father, inherit the kingdom,"
Mark 9:47, Luke 13:28-29, Acts 14:22, 1 Cor.6:9-10, 15:50, Gal.5:21, Eph.5:5, 2 Thes.1:5, 2 Tim.4:18, "Heavenly kingdom," Heb.12:28, James 2:5.
Spoken generally of the kingdom; Matt.5:19, 8:12, "Sons of the kingdom," as in the Jews, who thought the Messiah's reign was destined only for them;
But Matt.13:38, "Children of the kingdom," are the true citizens of the kingdom of God. Matt.11:11-12, Matt.13:11, "Because it is given unto you (the disciples) to know the mysteries of the kingdom,"
Matt.13:19, "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart."
Matt.13:44-45-52, "Instructed into the kingdom," Matt.18:4-23, 19:12-24, 20:1.
Spoken also, generally of the privileges and rewards of the kingdom both here and hereafter,
Matt.5:3-10-20, 7:21, 18:3, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Col.1:13, "Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of His = (the Father's) dear Son,"
1 Thes.2:12, That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his Kingdom and glory.
Phil LaSpino taken from seekfirstwisdom
