Not the kingdom

The message of Jesus Christ centers on the kingdom of God. But just as those who listened to Him had their own understanding of what the kingdom of God was, we also can translate His message into terms of a kingdom that fits our understanding.

We can interpret the kingdom of God as the kingdom coming, not present in this time. Some of what Jesus teaches can be easily understood in this way. We can interpret the kingdom of God as a general overriding presence of God in our world. Since He is King and reigns overall, this seems appropriate. We can interpret the kingdom of God in more specific terms, making it equivalent to particular aspects of this world. In general, most theologians seem to hold that the kingdom of God has a present subjective reality, and a future objective fulfillment. The references to the kingdom in Scripture usually force this type of composite view.

But the present subjective reality of the kingdom of God is usually seen in a global sense. This view would expect that as each Christian fulfills his role, the kingdom of God will be advanced in our world. In this understanding, the kingdom of God is present in our world, working in various ways to fulfill His will.

But this paradigm gives us difficulty with what we see around us. The global kingdom of God does not seem to govern very well. The kingdom of God is not around us; it is not here. The kingdom of God does not rule this world. This world is not the kingdom.

This world has been given to man to rule; God has not gone back on His word. But man has become enslaved because of sin. The ones who rule the world are the slaves of sin. The kingdom of darkness can govern man because of sin; the world around us is ruled by the subjects of darkness.

But the kingdom of God, the real kingdom, is near. Those who stand in this world can be freed from the darkness; the authority of the kingdom of God can be realized in them. In a world of slaves, free men can walk among them; they are the point of connection to the kingdom of God.