The question we will aim to answer relates to the various references to “Kingdoms” in the Bible. For example, here are some references:
- Kingdom of God
- Kingdom of Heaven
- Kingdom of Christ
- Satan’s kingdom, etc.
In examining the scriptures, it becomes clear that only two kingdoms exist. That is the Kingdom of God, and the other, the domain of Satan, or Satan’s kingdom.
First, let us look at the different references to the kingdom of God, i.e. the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Christ, and the kingdom of Heaven. What we see is that the references to these kingdoms are used interchangeably, and they refer to the same kingdom. For example, if we read Matthew 19:23-24, it says, “And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of Heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
If we observe the references above, we can see that Jesus, speaking to His disciples, begins by speaking about the difficulty of a rich person entering the kingdom of Heaven and goes on to say, in the very next phrase, refers to the kingdom as “the kingdom of God”. These are not two kingdoms; instead, Jesus refers to the same kingdom. There is no distinction between the two.
Likewise, we can also compare the different gospels that refer to the same stories and see that each may use different terms. For example:
- Matthew 11:11-12 compared to Luke 7:28. Here, Jesus is talking about no one being greater than John the Baptist.In Matthew, “kingdom of heaven” is used, whereas the reference in Luke 7:28 refers to “kingdom of God” for the same account.
- Another example is between Matthew 13:11 and Mark 4:11, and so on.
So, what is the kingdom of God (or Heaven or Christ)? Well, the kingdom of God represents God’s rule on earth. It is His kingly rule in the lives of people and nations, referring to the recognition of God’s authority. It is not a definite geographical area; instead, it begins with the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Note that the kingdom of God has existed since the beginning because He is a sovereign God who exercises His sovereignty over creation through His wisdom and power. From this authority, man revolted, disobeying Him, and because of that, humanity became part of the kingdom of Darkness, or in other words, into the domain, or kingdom where Satan is the head. Colossians 1:13 says, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,”
You see, by God’s grace and mercy, he delivered us through the coming of a Redeemer, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, by destroying the power of Satan, through His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection, destroying death and sin, and transferring us, those who believe, into the kingdom of Light.
So why the different names? Well, we see that it is called the following because:
- The kingdom of Christ, or of the Son of God, because Christ administers it.
- It is called the kingdom of God because Christ is God and because it is the kingdom that God was to establish on earth in distinction from the kingdoms of men.
- It is called the kingdom of heaven because its king dwells in heaven, because it is spiritual and heavenly, and it is consummated in Heaven.
Various applications and uses of these designations in the NT are included under the general idea of the Messianic kingdom, which Jesus the Messiah came to the world to establish. That kingdom is presented in different aspects, and Christ exercises His royal authority in different spheres.
So, the kingdom of Satan (Matthew 12:26) is the realm in which he rules. Those who are not of Christ are influenced by it (2 Corinthians 4:4). In contrast, the kingdom of God/Christ/Heaven is God’s kingdom that Christ has established and is currently ruling. All believers are spiritually a part of it.
At Christ’s return, both the spiritual and physical kingdoms will be fully consummated, and His kingdom will be fully established. That is why the Lord’s prayer begins by saying, “Your kingdom come…” (Matthew 6:10).
