Kingdom Basics (2)

Where is the Kingdom of God?

In part one of the Kingdom basics we looked at some scriptures describing the Kingdom of God. It is not a place or country, but a spiritual realm where righteousness, peace and joy reign with power, and this all through the Holy Spirit. The logical next question would be: where do we find this Kingdom?  When and where will we be able to experience His Kingdom?

This is a question the theologians and scholars of Jesus’ time asked Him as well. Jesus told them, The Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is”, or “There it is” (Luke 17:20). As I stated in part one, the Kingdom is not a natural Kingdom, it cannot be seen because it is spiritual. As Jesus was explaining this, his answer may have disappointed the Pharisees. Simply because they were longing for such a powerful era and reign to come in order to rescue Israel from foreign occupation. But Jesus continues and says: the Kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21). Well, that must have left them speechless. The Kingdom of God, His will on earth as it is in heaven, living inside of people?!

Some translations say, the Kingdom of God is among you, or within reach… However we look at this, the Kingdom is always at hand for the believers. Righteousness, peace and joy with power are always within us when we are alone and among us when we are together as believers! This is such a great secret. New Age philosophy has tried to steal this concept and teaches that people should always look within for answers. But let me warn you: there is no kingdom without the King! The Kingdom of God is within you only if the Holy Spirit lives within you. The awesome thing about Gods Kingdom is, that it is within us and at the same time we are in it. Colossians 1:13 shows us clearly that we enter the Kingdom during this present life on earth, For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves… This is past tense, this has already happened the moment you stepped from darkness into light!

So, the Kingdom of God can be found within us and at the same time we live in it. In other words, we can experience righteousness, peace and joy with power on the inside, through the Holy Spirit, but it will also surround us on the outside wherever we go. Jesus gave us the Kingdom within so that we can go out into a broken, lonely and worried world and advance it wherever we go.

Is this possible for everyone? Who qualifies? The next question that arises is: for whom is this Kingdom?