Understanding the kingdom of God and its characteristics is fundamental to understanding much of God’s revealed word. How and what one understands the kingdom of God to be will impact their understanding of such monumental events as Jesus coming to earth, His promised return and the final judgment!
First published in 1896, Leo Tolstoy puts forth his take on what the kingdom of God is all about in his book “The Kingdom of God is within You”. There are countless other books and Internet opinions about the kingdom of God. Many, if not most of these, shape the kingdom of God into an image that fits their preconceived notion or worldview (a la Leo) or is molded to fit a doctrine – something we have called presuppositional Scripture weighting.
Fortunately, there are many very plain statements about the kingdom of God in Scripture.

how Scripture answers "What is the nature of the kingdom of God?"
an answer short on commentary and long on Scripture as footnoted1 | please contribute with your comment at the bottom
With an extensive list of applicable passages, we can understand the kingdom of God to be:
- Ruled by a sovereign God3,11,16, who for a time has given authority to reign over to His Son, Jesus Christ12,15,17, to rule from David’s throne5 (Acts 2:32-36).
- It’s referred to not only as the kingdom of God1,6,7,8,9,14 but also the kingdom of heaven4 and the kingdom of His beloved Son10 (as in when Jesus refers to it as “My kingdom”2).
- It is a spiritual (not physical) kingdom1,2,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,17.
- It is made up of citizens that have been born again6 – namely those that have believed and been baptized7 having come to hear and accept the gospel message8,9,10,13. Priests serving God11 (1 Peter 2:9-10).
- It came and is here now1,4,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,16,17, as was promised by God to be established in the “latter days”3 and remains forever3,5, above and over kingdoms of men3,11 and the kingdom of Satan10,12.
the answer above is based on and footnoted with the following passages and their BSF application
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.
The kingdom of God is “here” but still “coming.” Jesus says it would come without any recognizable signs (physical characteristics). He proves this by saying it is already in their midst (hence, they didn’t know it). Jesus, Himself was the kingdom of God or at least represented a major characteristic of it.
Does it apply? Yes
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.
Jesus, notably referring to it as “My kingdom” and reiterating that it is a spiritual kingdom.
Does it apply? Yes
And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,
The interpretation [from God] was that each component represented kingdoms that would follow his own, until in the latter days there would be a kingdom that stood forever.
God will establish a kingdom that will stand forever, never being destroyed or overtaken by another kingdom – in fact, it will “break in pieces” all other kingdoms.
!! study note: context very important here !!
Does it apply? Yes
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Jesus went all over Galilee teaching in their synagogues about the gospel of the kingdom while healing them of all kinds of disease and affliction.
Jesus’ public ministry begins.
The essence of Jesus’ public ministry was (a) repent, and (b) the kingdom of heaven is here.
Does it apply? Yes
The angel Gabriel (vs 26) is speaking to Mary about the child she will conceive and bear, calling his name Jesus (vs 31).
Jesus the Son will be given the throne of David by God the Father. Jesus’ reign over this kingdom (“the house of Jacob”) will last forever.
Does it apply? Yes
Jesus is approached at night (in secret) by Nicodemus, a Pharisee and “ruler of the Jews” (vs 1).
Jesus qualifies entrance into the kingdom of God for only those that are born again “of water and the Spirit” while alluding to the spiritual nature of the kingdom.
Does it apply? Yes
But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
The persecution of Christians by the non-believing Jews has begun and as a result the gospel news is spreading beyond Jerusalem into Samaria (vss 4-5).
After Jesus, the disciples continue to preach the gospel message which is about the kingdom of God and Jesus.
Does it apply? Yes
When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
Paul has finally arrived at Rome (as a prisoner). Â He has greeted the brethren (fellow Christians) and is calling for an audience with his Jewish brethren (vs 17) to share more about the “hope of Israel” (vs 20). Some believed and others didn’t, but Paul ended up staying two years “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Â (vs 31)
Paul is sharing what he witnessed – the coming of Jesus the Messiah which is the same as the kingdom of God.
Does it apply? Yes
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome and a section dealing with disagreements on matters of opinion with those “weak in faith” (vs 1). Â He illustrates with things that can be eaten (vs 2) and days that might be celebrated (vs 5). Â His point, “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”
The kingdom of God concerns spiritual things, not carnal things. By making this distinction, Paul is also acknowledging the present state of the kingdom of God (“you are in the kingdom of God so you should be focused on righteousness, peace and joy”)
Does it apply? Yes
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Paul’s opening/greeting to the “brothers in Christ at Colossae” (vs 2).
Those in Christ have been transferred from a kingdom of darkness (Satan/sin) into Christ’s kingdom (the kingdom of God).
Does it apply? Yes
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
John’s opening address to his audience.
John confirms that he (and all brethren) are already part of a kingdom – serving as priests to God – thanks to Jesus and His blood.
Does it apply? Yes
Jesus currently reigns over the kingdom of God. In “the end,” when all of His enemies are subdued, He will turn the kingdom back to His Father.
Does it apply? Yes
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Jesus went all over Galilee teaching in their synagogues about the gospel of the kingdom while healing them of all kinds of disease and affliction.
Jesus’ public ministry begins.
Jesus’ ministry was about the “gospel of the kingdom.”
Does it apply? Yes
Jesus is sending out the seventy-two after having sent the apostles out to “proclaim the kingdom of God” (9:60). Â Jesus’ instruction also notes those that may “not receive you” – they are rejecting the kingdom of God (vss 10-11).
Along with the apostles, Jesus sends more out to preach that the kingdom of God is at hand.
Does it apply? Yes
All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
The Father has handed everything over to the Son. Â Nobody knows the Son except the Father, and nobody knows the Father except the Son and those the Son chooses to reveal to the Father.
Jesus has sent out the seventy-two to preach “the kingdom of heaven” with power to heal and they have returned rejoicing that “even the demons are subject to us in your name” (vs 17).
Jesus acknowledges that all things (e.g. kingdom, authority, etc.) have been handed over to Him from the Father.
Does it apply? Yes
The kingdom was considered “received” by the Hebrew writer and the Christians of that day.
Does it apply? Yes
It is Jesus’ final week and they are in the upper room. The apostles are arguing about who will be greatest in the kingdom and Jesus addresses their argument by showing how He himself served, and they must as well.
Jesus is effectively transferring the kingdom into the Apostles’ hands as “the time for His departure is at hand” and highlighting for them (again) the spiritual nature of the kingdom.
Does it apply? Yes
Do you agree? If so, share this question and the Bible Study Framework with others.
If you know of some other verses or you have something to add to the verses already listed for this question please leave a comment below! We welcome the public discussion and will incorporate your input into the Framework above. We have nothing to hide and invite your help in considering all that God’s word has to say.
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