In Romans 14:17 we read - “For THE KINGDOM OF GOD is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” This is God’s definition of the KINGDOM OF GOD in this age of grace.
During the years and centuries covered by the Old Testament, or under the reign of law, Israel was surely God’s “KINGDOM”‘ nation. During those fifteen hundred years Israel had a God-given system of religion, including meats and drinks: “Which stood only in meats and
drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” (Hebrews 9:10). Israel was surely a religious nation, by God’s command.So under the reign of law God demanded both righteousness and religion. Israel was God’s KINGDOM of priests. Note what Christ said to that religious nation, in Matthew 21:43 -
“Therefore say I unto you, THEKINGDOM OF GOD shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” In Matthew 8:12 Christ called the unsaved Jews, “the children of the KINGDOM.”On the day of Pentecost and for some time thereafter, God, through Christ’s apostles, presented a new KINGDOM proposition to Israel; and therefore God demanded righteousness
and permitted religion. Then, after Israel’s fall (Romans 11:11), after that religious nation was set aside, God demanded righteousness and forbade religion. (Titus 3:5 to 8 - Philippians 3:1 to 4 - Galatians 6:15 - Romans 6:14 - Philippians 3:3). Remember it was the same Paul, who circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3), who wrote Philippians 3:3, Colossians 2:11 and Galatians
6:15.In I Corinthians 6:9 to 11 we learn how believing sinners inherit THE KINGDOM OF GOD, by being washed, sanctified and justified by Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Read also Galatians 5:21. In Colossians 4:11 we read of Paul’s fellow-labourers “unto the kingdom of
God.” And in Ephesians 5:5 we have God’s partial list of those who shall have no inheritance in THE KINGDOM OF GOD. (Revelation 21:8).
Thus we learn that the term “THE KINGDOM OF GOD” may be used in connection with Israel under the law before Christ came; also during the years of Christ’s incarnation as Jesus of Nazareth; and for some time thereafter. It is also used to describe God’s spiritual
program in this age of grace when members of the Body of Christ are in Christ’s kingdom. (Colossians 1:13 - Ephesians 5:5).We learn in Mark 1:14 and 15 and Matthew 4:17 and 10:7 that THE KINGDOM OF GOD and THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN are sometimes identical and have no reference to the
Body of Christ. But Christians should explain when they say the Church is not the KINGDOM.Note in Mark 1:14 and 15 that the prophesied KINGDOM OF GOD was at hand because the King had come down from heaven. Note in Luke 21:27 to 33 that the prophesied KINGDOM
OF GOD will be at hand again when the King comes from heaven to earth again. Note Luke 21:31: “Know ye that THE KINGDOM OF GOD is nigh at hand.”
With very little thinking, we see how unscriptural it would be to substitute THE BODY OF CHRIST for the KINGDOM OF GOD either in Mark 1:14 and 15 or Luke 21:31 or in Matthew 21:43. THE KINGDOM OF GOD will be at hand when the King comes back. (Luke 21:27 to 31). When the King returns with power and great glory to redeem Israel, infulfillment
of Luke 21:27 to 33, the members of the Body of Christ will be in glory, having been raptured.
The Body of Christ had not begun historically when Christ declared THE KINGDOM OF GOD at hand. Thus we see that THE KINGDOM OF GOD is not necessarily the Church, which is
Christ’s Body, although the Church is included in the over-all KINGDOM OF GOD, as is the Messianic Kingdom which will be established on this earth when Christ shall return to buildagain the tabernacle of David and take the throne of David to bring about the restitution of all things, “peace on earth” and the overthrow of Satan. (Amos 9:11 to 15 - Isaiah 9:6 and 7 - Acts 3:19 to 21 - Revelation 20:1 to 7).
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