The Kingdom of God: All Authority in Heaven AND on Earth

Been thinking and considering a lot lately about this Kingdom and what the ramifications of it are. Is it now, or in the future? How we answer that question will necessarily influence how we live. In other words, if we say it’s now, do we live like it’s a future reality and that we now have to trudge along through toil and suffering and hope for the future eternal kingdom?

Start with the question, “What is the Great Commission?” (Note: most people will with Matt 28:19 leaving out what the “Therefore” is referring to)

Matthew 28:18–19 NIV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Verse 18 is the key to the instruction! By leaving it out we can easily lose the context and lack the confidence/motivation for the mission.

By focusing only on v.19-20 the mission can become like gathering signatures for a petition for Jesus to get on the ballot. More of an isolated/individual effort. As if, Christ’s sacrifice accomplished our redemption at the individual level but nothing else at this point.

The mindset is that this world is bad and we are just waiting to leave it and want to help others get their boarding tickets too. Rather than Jesus is now the ruler and authority over this world and we are to be the leaven/light/mustard seed/etc. to permeate it for Him. Negative outlook vs. positive outlook.

BUT, when you consider v.18 (the reason for the command) and all the other passages the command becomes something altogether different.

v.18 reveals the coronation that is about to take place when Christ ascends to the Father (Acts 1:1-11; Dan 7:13-14) and assumes His place on the throne establishing His Kingdom now! Not at some distant time in the future.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

This phrase or a derivative of it is used over 100 times in the New Testament!

Matthew 4:23 NIV

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Mark 1:15 NIV

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Luke 4:43 NIV

But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

Matthew 24:14 NIV

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Remember John the Baptist and Jesus’ opening statements (Matt 3:2 and Matt 4:17) — “Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven has come near.”

Colossians 1:9–14 NIV

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 17:1-7 describes the Apostle Paul's journey to Thessalonica, where he preached in the synagogue over three Sabbaths, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. His message about Jesus gained some converts, including a number of Greeks and prominent women, but also stirred jealousy among the local Jews. They formed a mob and caused an uproar, searching for Paul and Silas. When they couldn't find them, they dragged Jason, a new believer who had taken them in, before the city officials, accusing him of harboring people who acted against the decrees of Caesar by proclaiming another king, Jesus. This passage highlights the conflict between the early Christian message and established local authorities.

Acts 17:7 NIV

and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”

Conclusion: It may seem like a minor distinction, but I believe it has major ramifications on how the church lives, functions, and influences the world today. If this IS His kingdom, should we be living differently? Should we be thinking differently? Is this why the 1st Century church seems to have thrived more than today’s typical evangelical church?

We have focused so much on the individual that we have omitted the most important part IMO. It’s like buying a ticket but never entering the event to participate and enjoy it.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Misconceptions about the “Kingdom”:

The heavenly destiny of the believer, into which we enter at death. Us going ‘up to’ God in heaven rather than His Kingdom coming to us on earth.

A future millennial reign

An inward spiritual state where we ‘accept’ Christ as Savior and Lord and seek to live in obedience. This is a very common view but Jesus’ parables do not teach this.

Current movement of seeking to replicate heavenly realities on earth through ‘signs and wonders’. Also akin to the Health and Wealth movement.

Additional Kingdom Support Verses…

Jesus Taking His Place as King to Rule and Reign in His Kingdom (40+ verses)

Eph 1:20–22

he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,

Col 3:1

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Heb 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Heb 8:1

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Heb 10:12

But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

Heb 12:2

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Mark 16:19

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.

Acts 2:33–36

Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Acts 7:55–56

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Rom 8:34

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

1 Pet 3:22

who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Ps 110:1

The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

Matt 26:64

“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Luke 22:69

But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

Rev 3:21

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Matt 28:18

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

1 Cor 15:25–27

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.

Phil 2:9–11

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Dan 7:13–14

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Rev 5:12–13

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Ps 2:6–9

“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

Isa 9:6–7

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Acts 5:31

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.

Col 2:10

and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

Rev 1:5

and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

1 Tim 6:15–16

which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Eph 4:10

He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

Rev 17:14

They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

Ps 45:6–7

Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Rev 19:16

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.

Matt 22:44

“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” ’

Luke 20:42–43

David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ’

Acts 2:30

But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.

Rom 14:9

For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

Heb 2:8–9

and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

1 Cor 15:24

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

Eph 1:10

to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Col 1:13

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Rev 11:15

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

Dan 2:44

“In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.

Luke 1:32–33

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

2 Tim 2:12

if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;