What is the Kingdom of God?

"Kingdoms" aren't something that we in the West really understand.  In fact, fleeing from a kingdom is what got our country started in the first place.  But throughout history, monarchys were commonplace.  When Jesus began his public ministry, one of his more famous lines was "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17 - side note: "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" are interchangable).

Here are some basics about kingdoms:

1) Kingdoms have Kings.  The King soveriegnly rules over his kingdom.  His word is law.  He establishes the way of life for people.

2) Kingdoms have subjects.  Subjects are the people who live in the kingdom.  While they are ruled over soveriegnly, the subjects still have the choice to follow and obey the king.  Disobedience leads to consequences and discipline.

3) Kingdoms have a certain way of life.  As stated earlier, this is set by the king.  If the king is harsh, the way of life will be oppressed (think about the king from the movie "Braveheart").  If the king is kind, the way of life will be joyful (think "Camelot" and King Arthur).

Now, regarding God, scripture is clear that He is the sovereign King over all creation (Psalm 103:19; 2 Samuel 7:28; 1 Chronicles 29:10-13; Philippians 2:10-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Revelation 1:5).  When Jesus came to earth and began His ministry, by Him proclaiming that the "kingdom of God (heaven) has come near", he's in essence saying that for the first time in history, people will actually be able to see how the Kingdom of God was meant to be lived out.  This "kingdom living" was taught by Jesus in his most famous teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7.  Basically, Jesus teaches us and models for us how kingdom living upside-down from the way the secular world lives, and upside-down from how legalistic religous people live.  Jesus continually says that the condition of a person's heart is what truly matters, for from  the heart is where the motivation for living comes from.

So, in "kingdom living", the following are markers:

-Jesus is King.  He is who we follow, submit to, and seek to become like.

-Rules are followed for rules' sake, but for the sake of love for the King.

-People aren't viewed as objects or means to an end, but are valued for their being made in the image of God.

-Sex & Marriage aren't treated lightly or selfishly, but held in honor.

-Love and Charity aren't acts demanding recognition or fuel for future favors, but given freely and joyfully for the benefit of God and other people.

-Money & Work aren't the source for identity and success, but money is viewed as a tool to expand God's kingdom and to be given away freely...work becomes the means by which we reflect God's image and influence our world for the Kingdom.

The list can go on.  But the point is that the Kingdom of God is different than the kingdom of man, for the main fuel for living in the Kingdom of God is love for the King, not getting ahead of others in the kingdom.

And one last note...the Kingdom of God, one day, will be very tangible.  Revelation 21 shows us that when Jesus returns and once and for all does away with all sin, death, & suffering, there will be a new city christened - New Jerusalem.  God Himself will reside there, along with His followers, in His direct presence.  We will feast with all the saints of history at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  Now we see through a glass darkly, but then we will see Him face to face.