There is a great deal of confusion over the kingdom of the Lord. Some say that it was established in the 1900s. Others believe it was set up in the first century. Many think it has not yet come, but that it will come very soon. Who are the members of God’s kingdom, and what must we do to prepare for it? This study clearly and simply answers these and other vital questions relating to the kingdom of the Lord.
This sermon focused on understanding the true nature of the Kingdom of God and correcting the confusion surrounding it in the religious world. The message explained that many groups teach conflicting ideas about the Kingdom—some claiming it began recently, while others argue it has not yet been established and will only come during a future earthly reign of Christ. The sermon challenged those teachings by turning directly to Scripture to determine when the Kingdom came, what it is, and who belongs to it.
The lesson began in Daniel chapter 2 with Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay. The sermon explained that these sections represented successive world empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and finally Rome. Daniel prophesied that during the days of the Roman Empire, God would establish a kingdom that would never be destroyed. This prophecy was presented as proof that the Kingdom of God was established in the first century during Roman rule.
The sermon then showed how John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles all preached that the Kingdom was “at hand,” meaning it was near. Jesus even declared that some standing with Him would live to see the Kingdom come with power. Later passages such as Colossians 1 and Revelation 1 were used to show that Christians in the first century were already in the Kingdom, proving that the Kingdom had indeed arrived during that time.
A major emphasis of the message was that the Kingdom of God is spiritual, not earthly or political. Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world,” and the sermon stressed that Christ never intended to establish an earthly political throne in Jerusalem. Instead, His reign is spiritual and heavenly. The message rejected the idea of a future literal thousand-year earthly reign, arguing that Scripture teaches Christ’s Kingdom already exists and will stand forever.
The sermon also emphasized that the Kingdom is eternal. Unlike earthly empires that rise and fall, God’s Kingdom will never be destroyed. Daniel’s prophecy declared that it would stand forever, and the New Testament teaches that Christ currently reigns over His Kingdom until the end of time, when it will be delivered to the Father.
Another central point was identifying the Kingdom’s citizens. According to passages like Colossians 1:13 and Revelation 1:9, Christians are already members of the Kingdom. Christ is the King, and those who follow Him make up His population. The sermon repeatedly connected the Kingdom with the church, teaching that the two are one and the same.
The message concluded by pointing to Jesus’ words in Matthew 16, where He spoke interchangeably about building His church and giving the keys to the Kingdom. From this, the sermon argued that being in the church is being in the Kingdom of God. The final appeal encouraged listeners to become citizens of Christ’s Kingdom by becoming Christians and submitting to the reign of Jesus Christ.
