Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou
King of saints. (Revelation 15:3)
The kingdom of God refers to God’s sovereign reign and rule. It is also called
“the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:12); “the kingdom of Christ” (Matthew
26:28); “the kingdom of God’s dear Son” (Colossians 1:3); and simply, “the
kingdom” (Matthew 4:23).
We may distinguish three aspects or degrees of God’s kingdom: the
kingdom of power, the kingdom of grace, and the kingdom of glory.
The Kingdom of power refers to God’s providential and judicial rule over all
creation. This aspect of God’s rule is described in Psalm 103:19, “The LORD
hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”
As the only Creator and Potentate, God sovereignly rules over all that He
has made by means of His providence.
The kingdom of grace refers God’s rule over His people, the church in the
present age. In the kingdom of grace God spiritually governs the hearts of
His people by His Word and Spirit (Luke 1:33) and by His officers, laws, and
discipline (Matthew 18:17,18; 28:19-20). The kingdom of grace is co-extensive
with the church (Matthew 13:47). The church has two aspects, invisible and
visible. The invisible church consists of all the elect (John 10:16). The visible
church consists of all who profess faith and their children (1 Corinthians 1:2;
7:14).
The kingdom of glory refers to the future everlasting rule of God. The
kingdom of glory is the consummation of the kingdom of grace, "The
kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his
Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). The kingdom of
grace and the kingdom of glory are not two separate kingdoms, but one
kingdom with differing degrees of completion. They relate as a seed relates
to a flower. The kingdom of grace is the beginning of the kingdom of glory.
The kingdom of glory is the completion of the kingdom of grace. No one
enters the kingdom of glory without first entering the kingdom of grace
(Mark 1:15).
Though God is the unquestioned King over all creation, and He will
certainly rule forever (Matthew 6:13); His reign is not currently recognized by
everyone. Many attempt to reject the Lord’s rule over them. For example,
Psalm 2:2-3 says, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take
counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, ‘Let
us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.’” But those
who by grace can say, “the LORD is our king” (Isaiah 33:22) today, shall
participate in His glorious reign forever. For the Lord has promised, “the
saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom
forever, even for ever and ever (Daniel 7:18).