by R. L. Morrison

Old Testament prophecy foretold the coming of a Messiah or Savior, and pictured Him as a king. The New Testament teaches that these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Some people believe the reign of Christ is yet future. They teach that Jesus will return to earth and set up a kingdom in Jerusalem, from which he will reign for 1000 years.

Others believe the kingdom has been established and that Christ now rules as king. This kingdom over which he rules is spiritual in nature. All the prophecies spoken regarding a coming kingdom are fulfilled in it.

It is obvious that these are conflicting doctrines. Both cannot be true. Our purpose is to examine scripture to learn some things the Bible teaches on this subject.

In John 18, we find the record of Jesus on trial before Pilate, who asked, "Art thou a king?" Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world" (vs. 33-36). Jesus acknowledged that he is a king, that he has a kingdom, but he said it is not a worldly kingdom, or as kingdoms among men.

Previously, Jesus told the apostles that he would give them the keys of the kingdom (Matt. 16:16-19). This is the only kingdom Jesus ever mentioned. It is not of the world. It is spiritual in nature. Later Peter described it as a "spiritual house", as a "holy nation" (1 Peter 2:5-9). Jesus did not give these men a literal key, but rather a spiritual message, the gospel, which, when men obeyed, opened the doors of salvation enabling that obedient person to become a citizen of the kingdom or the church over which Christ rules, and of which he is head (Eph. 1:22-23).

The Pharisees once asked Jesus when the kingdom of God should come. He replied, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation, neither shall they say, lo here, or, lo there, for behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21). The Pharisees expected to see what many today expect: an earthly kingdom with a literal throne and a literal capitol city.

But how can a kingdom be within men? In Matthew 16:16-19, Jesus spoke of building his church. Here he used the words "church" and "kingdom" interchangeably. This means that either word describes that which he would build, but from different points of view. The church would consist of those who had been called. The kingdom consists of those who are ruled. Christ calls (invites - Matt. 11:28), and rules those who respond to his invitation. At the time, the church had not been built, but it was "at hand", that is, soon to be established (Mark 9:1).

After his resurrection, Jesus met with the apostles who questioned him about the coming of the kingdom. Jesus told them this was not for them to know. But he promised they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. When this happened they would begin the preaching of the gospel or extending his invitation to all mankind, even to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:6-8).

On the first Pentecost following, this great work had its beginning. These apostles preached Christ, the Son of God, dead, buried, resurrected, and ascended to the Father and seated at His right hand on David's throne. They declared that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ. Many of those who heard this message were convinced of its truth. They asked what they could do about it. They were told what they should do, and as many of them as believed obeyed the commands given. They were then added by the Lord to the church or kingdom. They were called by the gospel; those who obeyed the call became subject to Christ. He became their Lord and King. He ruled in their hearts. The kingdom of God was within them (Acts 2)!

Paul later described this obedience as being translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of God's love (Col. 1:13). He also says that Christ is the head (ruler or king) of the church which is his body (Eph. 1:22-23). In 1 Cor. 15:24-25, Paul says that Christ must rule until all enemies are put under his feet, the last enemy being death. It will be destroyed when Jesus returns and the resurrection of all men from the dead occurs. Then death will cease to exist. It shall have been destroyed (John 5:28-29). The reign of Christ ceases at that time and the authority Christ now has will be returned to the Father, from whom he received it.

As has been suggested, many religious people do not believe that Jesus is now a king, or that his kingdom is now in existence. Some of these believe that Jesus, at the time of his ascension (Acts 1), made it clear that in certain respects, the kingdom was future at that time, and would remain so till the second coming.

It is true that the angels who spoke to the apostles as they witnessed the ascension spoke of Jesus' return. But not a word did they say about the kingdom (Acts 1:10-11). At that time, Jesus told them "It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father hath put in his own power" (vs. 7). But this does not say or imply that the kingdom would not be set up until the second coming. In fact, the apostles had been told previously when the kingdom would come. "And he said unto them, verily I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power" (Mark 9:1). The apostles and perhaps others heard this statement made. Jesus said some who heard it would not die until the kingdom of God came into existence. We have no cause to disbelieve what he said, or to believe that some who heard are yet living. Notice Jesus said it would come with power. Now, notice that Jesus told these men they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1). This power would enable them to witness of Christ and preach the gospel unto the uttermost parts of the earth.

Acts 2 reveals the fulfillment of the promise of power and the beginning of the witnessing and preaching. In the course of this first sermon, it was declared that Christ was exalted at God's right hand, and had been made both Lord and Christ. The kingdom was in existence then, and yet exists. Men, by obedience, may become citizens of it.

As has been suggested earlier, there are many who believe the kingdom of Christ is yet future. So it is not out of place or time to examine some of the scriptures used in an effort to justify this doctrine. Most of them turn to Revelation in their efforts to do so. Most of it is based on Rev. 20:4-5. These are to long to be reproduced here, but I suggest you turn and read them. Look for the following things which "they say" the passages teach. The reign of Christ? The second coming of Christ? The throne of David? Jerusalem? Palestine? Christ on earth? These things are not found in these scriptures! John does say: "souls lived with him" and reigned with him, but that did not occur on earth. In fact, there is not one scripture that teaches or implies that Christ will ever come to earth again. Paul has this to say about it, and it should be the final word for men: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, then the redeemed, those who are living and those who have been resurrected, shall be caught up to meet him in the air, AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD" (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

Jesus Christ is NOW a king. He rules the kingdom of heaven, the church he purchased with his own blood. But he rules in the hearts of those who compose that church or kingdom, those who are obedient believers. Is Christ in you? Does he rule your life?