[Jhn 18:33-37 NKJV] 33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" 34 Jesus answered him, "Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?" 35 Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?" 36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say [rightly] that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
Christ has a Kingdom
Christ’s kingdom is a real one. It has a king - the Lord Jesus Christ. [Isa 9:6-7 NKJV] 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of [His] government and peace [There will be] no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. In fact, in this same conversation, Jesus told Pilate, "You say [rightly] that I am a king.”
It is a kingdom with laws, which govern it (the moral law of God). [Mat 22:36-40 NKJV] 36 "Teacher, which [is] the great commandment in the law?" 37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is [the] first and great commandment. 39 "And [the] second [is] like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." The laws are the two love laws, which are further explained in the Ten Commandments (See Romans 13). These are further explained in the various righteous rules, statutes, judgments, testimonies of a moral nature, found throughout the word of God. (See Psalm 119)
It is a kingdom with subjects (Christians), which Christ the King rules over in love. Speaking of this, the Apostle Paul wrote, [Phl 3:20 NKJV] 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ Speaking to Gentile believers, Paul wrote, [Eph 2:19 NKJV] 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
One day, everyone will acknowledge his Lordship and bow their knees to him.
Christ’s Kingdom is NOT of this World
Christ’s kingdom is not of this world. It is not a worldly kingdom as we know kingdoms. This means that it is not a kingdom in any worldly sense. It does not have land. It does not have borders. It does not have a worldly form of government. It does not have worldly leaders. It does not have a worldly army. It does not have a worldy citizenship. And since it has none of these, it does not have wordly objectives.
This means that we who are in Christ, who possess faith in Christ, should not think in worldly terms about Christ’s kingdom. For instance, we shouldn’t think in terms of taking over the world by holding land, running governments and so on. As we’ll see in a moment, the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly, fleshly one. Paul wrote, [Rom 14:17 NKJV] 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
In Luke 17, Jesus affirmed that the kingdom of God is not something observable in the flesh, meaning consisting of things we can see or touch. [Luk 17:20-21 NKJV] 20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 "nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
Since the kingdom of God is spiritual, and not physical, it cannot be seen or understood or experienced through the natural senses. You cannot find it on a map, or on a road. There’s no sign that says, “The kingdom of God 234 Miles.” A man can no more find the kingdom of God through his earthly abilities (sight, hearing, intellect, imagination) then he can jump to the moon. [Jhn 3:3-5 NKJV] 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Some in Jesus’ day made the mistake of thinking that the Messiah was about an earthly kingdom. They, in fact wanted to take hold of him to make him their earthly king. But since his kingdom was not of this world, and he did not come to establish an earthly kingdom, he hid himself from them. [Jhn 6:15 NKJV] 15 Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.
Some are making the same mistake in our day, thinking wrongly that the church is about taking over the world, politically and otherwise, buying land and trying to influence governments. But Christ would say to them, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Christ’s Kingdom is a Spiritual Kingdom
Christ’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, meaning it is a product of the word of God and the Spirit of God.
We were all born into the world naturally, into worldly nations, with worldly leaders. But to enter this kingdom, Christ’s kingdom, one must be born spiritually (John 3:3). This only comes through hearing the word of the Spirit (Rom 10:17) with faith. When a person hears the gospel, and the Lord grants that person faith in Christ (Phil 1:29), and gives them the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14), and takes away their sin (Psalm 103:12), and clothes them in the righteousness of Christ (Rom 3:21-26) - then and only then are they partakers of this kingdom.
This is a righteous kingdom, and the citizens of this kingdom must be as righteous as the King himself. [Psa 5:4 NKJV] 4 For You [are] not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. Recall the wedding guest who was thrown out of the wedding and into utter darkness because he was not clothed properly. (See Matt 22:11-13). A person must be perfectly righteous in their standing before God, to be part of this kingdom. And this is exactly the standing of all who believe in Christ, from the moment they first believed. [Zec 3:4 NKJV] 4 Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him He said, "See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes." And again in Isaiah 61 - [Isa 61:10 NKJV] 10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks [himself] with ornaments, And as a bride adorns [herself] with her jewels. And again in Phil 3 - [Phl 3:9 NKJV] 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which [is] from the law, but that which [is] through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Only those who are equal in standing with the King himself (who is perfectly righteous), will have citizenship here.
Only by faith in Christ, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit, is this kingdom realized, known and dwelt in, understood by a person. [Jhn 3:5-6 NKJV] 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Being a spiritual kingdom, to be in the kingdom of God, one must have the Spirit of the the kingdom of God. A person is given the Holy Spirit the moment God granted them faith in Christ. [Eph 1:13-14 NKJV] 13 In Him you also [trusted], after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
What rights do Christians have in Christ’s kingdom?
While the Lord may graciously grant certain temporary rights (like freedom of religion) to particular Christians, in a particular nation, at a particular time in history, we should by no means conclude that such temporary rights are the norm, or are promised, or are even needed by God to add new citizens of his kingdom, or to advance his kingdom in any way. Freedom to vote, to assemble, to speak may be found in America presently, but they are by no means guaranteed in the Bible, by our Lord. Indeed, he may remove these from us at any time to suit his holy, just and perfect purpose and will for us in Christ. (Some, at this point are no doubt remembering the Apostle Paul, and his appeal to his rights as a Roman citizen. I will address this in the next article, but suffice it to say that it was not employed to change the Roman Empire, but rather to advance the kingdom not of this world.)
And while we shouldn’t hope or pray that the Lord takes these temporary rights away, (in fact we should pray for our leaders for quietness and peace, that we may live godly lives - 1 Tim 2:1-3) even if all of our temporary rights were removed from us tomorrow, it would be for our good in Christ. (Romans 8:28) Our biblical rights as citizens of God’s kingdom only include those that are found in the word of his kingdom.
The rights that we have in Christ, found in the word of God, all relate to his kingdom which is not of this world. And they are all immeasurably wonderful, gracious, beneficial! In no particular order, in Christ, we have the right to boldly go before the the throne of grace, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (Heb 4:16). We have the right to come into his presence when we assemble, in the most Holy Place (Heb 10:19). We have the right to suffer all things for his sake (Phil 1:29). We have the right to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow him (Matt 16:24). We have the right to be blessed through the preaching of the word and indwelling Spirit (Luke 11:28). We have the right to love God and our neighbor - and our enemies (Mark 12:30-31). We have the right to grow in Christ, to be molded into his image (2 Peter 3:18). We have the right to go and make disciples of all nations (we’ll come back to this one in the next article), baptize and train (and be trained) to observe all that Christ commanded (Matt 28:18-20). We have the right to experience love, joy and peace that the world cannot give (Gal 5:22). There are many more such rights, and we can find them all on the word of God which we have access to now in Christ. None of these rights are ever impaired, or lessened in value by any circumstance in the world.
One more thing should be said about the above-mentioned rights that we have in Christ - they were all costly! They were all bought and paid for by the King himself, the Lord Jesus Christ, when he went to the cross, and suffered the wrath and judgment of God we richly deserved (Isaiah 53). Apart from his sacrifice for our sins, we would have no access to God or his kingdom, and no kingdom rights either! But in Christ, even in trials and persecution, in illness and trouble, these blessed rights are ours. They are safeguarded by the Lord himself, and no one or no thing can remove them from us. [Rom 5:1-5 NKJV] 1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only [that], but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Members of Christ’s Kingdom are Called to Fight
Members of God’s Kingdom are called to fight a spiritual and not a worldly war. Because his kingdom is a spiritual one, and not a worldly one, those in his kingdom engage in spiritual warfare. [Eph 6:10-13 NKJV] 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
If the kingdom of God was a worldly kingdom, the members of his kingdom would fight in worldly ways. We would defend his kingdom in the flesh. We would fight with politics, with weapons and with armies. We would physically defend his kingdom. This is what Jesus meant by “fight,” something we do not do. But since his kingdom is not made up of nations or borders or political leaders and the like, there is nothing physically or politically to fight for in this world. These battles are of no use to the King and his kingdom. Rather, his subjects fight with prayer, with the word of God, with the gospel of truth. This war is waged in the Spirit with the things of the Spirit - not the things of this world. [Eph 6:13-18 NKJV] 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
Beloved Peter learned this lesson quickly on the night of Jesus’ arrest, in the very same chapter where Jesus declared that his kingdom is not of this world. [Jhn 18:10-11 NKJV] 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" The correction of Peter for his fleshly defense of Jesus is consistent with our Lord’s words to Pilate given not long after - [Jhn 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
The War Christians Fight
Make no mistake, Christians are in a war, but it is a spiritual one, not a political or military one. In fact, Paul says that we are not in a fleshly war, and therefore the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly. Our enemy is not anyone in the flesh, but rather him who is a fallen spirit. Read his word Brothers and Sisters, and let there be no doubt of our calling. [1Pe 5:8-11 NKJV] 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle [you]. 11 To Him [be] the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
[As an aside, when Christians get involved politically, the gospel often suffers, because we may make fleshly enemies based on some temporary political position we are taking. Our own sin is enough to offend another person - let us not add to it some political position, some worldly position based upon some wordly temporal circumstance. But which is our calling in Christ, to defeat those who disagree with us politically, or to bring them the good news? Hardly will it be possible to do this if those who are lost associate Christianity with a particular political position. I think we would do well to lay aside our political views for the sake of the gospel.]
Let us prepare ourselves, not to fight for our temporal rights in this world, which have no eternal purpose or influence, but for the King of kings. [2Co 10:3-6 NKJV] 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
As members of his kingdom, by faith alone in Christ alone, being saved and washed and made righteous - let us spend our God-given time on things of his kingdom, and not things of this world. [Eph 5:15-17 NKJV] 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord [is]. Let us be wise, and spend the limited God-given time we have on things eternal, on things spiritual, on things found in the word of God.
[Part 2 will address what the church is called to do in any and every age.]
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