The Kingdom of God in Every Book of the New Testament

When we think about the Kingdom of God, we tend to think of the Gospels where Jesus’ offered the kingdom and His people rejected it. Many think of the kingdom as “already” as if it were merely a spiritual reality now embodied in the church. However, throughout the New Testament, a coming kingdom is anticipated. Nearly every book refers to the kingdom ahead. The return of Jesus Christ to reign as promised is the future hope for every believer today. Look with me at how pervasive this theme is throughout the New Testament.

The Kingdom of God in the Gospels & Acts

• Matthew 6:10 – “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
• Mark 14:25 – “Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
• Luke 22:29–30 – “And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom…”
• John 3:5 – “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’”
• Acts 14:22 – “…strengthening the souls of the disciples… saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’” (note that though they were believers in the church, they had not yet entered the kingdom)

The Kingdom of God in Paul’s Epistles

• Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (a description of the future kingdom that reminds us how we are to live now)
• 1 Corinthians 15:24 – “Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.”
• Galatians 5:21 – “…those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
• Ephesians 5:5 – “…no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man… has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
• Philippians 1:6 – “…He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (the day of Jesus Christ is the day He returns to rule)
• Colossians 3:20 – “…knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (an allusion to the rewards in the kingdom)
• 1 Thessalonians 2:12 – “…that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” (The glory is future and so is the kingdom He called us to)
• 2 Thessalonians 1:5 – “…that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.”
• 1 Timothy 6:14–15 – “…until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
• 2 Timothy 4:18 – “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.”
• Titus 2:13 – “…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
• Philemon 1:16 – “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever.” (an allusion to the kingdom which is eternal)

The Kingdom of God in the General Epistles

• Hebrews 12:28 – “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace…”
• James 2:5 – “…Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”
• 1 Peter 5:4 – “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (an allusion to the rewards in the kingdom associated with the return of Christ as king)
• 2 Peter 1:11 – “…for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
• 1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
• 2 John 1:8 – “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.” (an allusion to the rewards in the kingdom)
• Jude 1:25 – “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”

The Kingdom of God in Revelation

• Revelation 11:15 – “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’”

Conclusion

The Kingdom of God is central to the message of the New Testament. Every book has its own theme, but nearly every book echoes this blessed hope. Jesus is Christ is coming. His people will be with Him. And He will rule forever.

From beginning to end, the New Testament speaks of the coming kingdom of God. Matthew 2 introduces the king of that kingdom as the wise men ask, “Where is He who is born king of the Jews.” Revelation 19–20 describes with the triumphant coming of the King of Kings and His eternal reign, beginning with 1,000 years on earth (Revelation 20:4–6). Before the kingdom begins, God has given His people a mission–to gather sons of the kingdom (Matthew 13:38). These believers are heirs of this coming kingdom (James 2:5), born again through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:5).

Are you ready for the coming kingdom? Let’s not just look back to Christ’s death and resurrection. Like the authors of the New Testament, let us look ahead in expectation of His promised coming kingdom.