THE KINGDOM OF GOD
The Kingdom of Kingdoms. The kingdom of God is the authority over all other kingdoms. All other kingdoms are a part of and governed by the kingdom of God. Speaking of God’s kingdom Daniel said, “all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Dan 7:27). Likewise, David declared, “For the kingdom is the Lord’s and He is governor among the nations” (Ps 22:28).
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. God has always ruled over the kingdoms of the earth, though those earthly kingdoms failed to recognize and acknowledge it. Nevertheless, the Lord used kingdoms such as Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Persia, Rome, and Assyria. Those kingdoms were under the rule of His kingdom. So it is with all powers and authorities. The Divine word to them is this: “Thou couldest have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above” (Jn 19:11). “For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom 13:1)
Christ's Temptation. Jesus was able to overcome the temptation of the devil because He could not be deceived by the deceitfulness of sin. He was not allured by the devil when he took “Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and [showed] Him all the kingdoms of the world” (Mt 4:8-9). The devil told Jesus He could have all of those kingdoms if He would bow down and worship him. But Jesus knew the truth, that upon being exalted by His Father all of those kingdoms would be His in righteousness. Equality with God is not a thing to be grasped. Jesus willingly forsook many Divine qualities and glory but those things would be returned to Him when He would accomplish the work He was given to do. The Lord’s Christ would be exalted by His Father and the kingdoms of this world, along with all other enemies would become subject to Him.
The King of Kings. Jesus is the King over all kings. He is, upon sitting down at the right hand of the majesty in the heavens, exalted to the highest place. When He sat down in heaven, He sat down on a throne. He is not waiting to be crowned King - He has been. God the Father has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The Kingdom of God has been put in the charge of the Son of God. And He is now reigning until “He hath put all enemies under His feet” and “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Cor 15:25-26).
The Kingdom of God was given over to Jesus when He ascended to heaven and sat down on His throne. When the end comes and the dead are raised and all are judged and the earth is destroyed with intense heat, then, “He shall deliver up the kingdom TO God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power” (1 Cor 15:24). The kingdoms of the world are part of the rule and authority and power that are to be put down. Though, they are opposed to Him now, they shall be made to bow to Him then.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)
Ruling Now, Revealed Then. There is a large group of believers that claim that Jesus is not yet reigning and has not yet been given the kingdom of God. They say this because “if doth not yet appear” to the natural eye. But by faith we can see that He is reigning. The revelation of His reign will come at the last trump. It is then that Jesus shall be revealed (1 Pet 1:13) as the Christ of God; the One of Whom the prophets did speak; the King of kings and Lord of lords. For when He entered into heaven He entered as "the King of glory, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle" (Ps 24). And when He returns He will return not as a babe in a manger but as the great King who overcame the world and is set to judge it in righteousness.
