The Kingdoms (part one)
 The Kingdoms (part one)
Approximately 400 references to kingdom/s are made in the Bible. The Bible uses many kingdom terms, such as “kingdom/s”, “The Kingdom”, “Kingdom of God”, “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Gospel of the Kingdom”. I will try to shed some light on these terms and characteristics associated with them and especially the Millennial Kingdom.
What is a kingdom? What do kingdoms have to do with us today? Do the terms “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven” mean the same? What is the mystery of the Kingdom of God? Whom do these kingdoms involve? What does it mean to preach the “Gospel of the Kingdom”? When are these kingdoms to be?
What does the word kingdom mean? Basically it means that which is under the authority of a “king”. We have two words that are associated with the word “kingdom”, one in the Old Testament Malkut or Mamlakah.  This is to reign over, to have dominion over or authority over. Also the Greek translation in the New Testament is Basileia. One thing common is that they both indicate something goverened by a “king”.
The word kingdom/s refers to what has been an earthly rule of a king. Such kings as Nebuchadnezzar, David or Ahaz. These kingdoms are of an earthly rule by an earthly king. When the Bible talks of these it refers to events in the past.
The “Kingdom of God” consists of all that God has the authority to rule. God is omnipotent and He rules over all things. Consequently, all the kingdoms are under His control. His kingdom begins in eternity past and will continue to eternity future. God controls the physical and spiritual domains. God controls the unseen or mysterious realm like that of Mt. 13; Luke 17:20-21, to the physical kingdom like that of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 2:37; Pilate in John 19:11, and will control that of the Millennial Kingdom through Christ. It is important to remember that God’s major domicile is in heaven so the authroity or power originates here. All other kingdoms will be subject to the Kingdom of God.
Next term “Kingdom of Heaven” contains a mystery part. The mystery is where an invisible power is governing the Christian’s work from the cross to the rapture. The parables in Mt. 13 are about the Christian’s work in the world today. Matthew portrays Christ as The King and the power is coming from the future King who is now in heaven.
The word “kingdom” also is used in the Bible to denote a physical rule of a territory and all within that land, the earth. The Biblical term kingdom often refers to the actual physical rule of Christ during the Millennial 1000 year Age. Christ, The King of Kings, will be the supreme ruler at this time. The “stone Kingdom” from the smiting stone in Daniel, is another name for this reign.
Another term used in the Bible is the “Gospel of the Kingdom” found in Mt. 24:14. This is the preaching of the 144,000 chosen Jews to all the world during the tribulation. One needs to be reminded that this is not the Gospel of Salvation. That the Gospel of Salvation is for this Age of Grace.
