What Is the Kingdom of God?

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE MINDS OF THE PEOPLE

I believe the people of Jesus' day had different views of what the kingdom of God was, nevertheless, there were several areas of agreement among the views.
1.  The promised kingdom was earthly in nature.
2.  Israel would be delivered from foreign oppression.
3.  Israel would be ruled by justice.
4.  Israel would be on top of the nations as the wealth of the world would flow into Israel's dominance.
5.  The promised kingdom would look very much like the days of Solomon.
6.  The kingdom would bring peace and prosperity to Israel.
7.  The kingdom would last forever with a King in charge at all times from the line of David.

People had different opinions about certain things:
1.  Some thought the kingdom would swiftly come as a result of God's miraculous intervention; in other words through a huge act of God, the armies of the world will surrender to the armies of Isreal.  Some thought it would have to be built under the direction of the messiah, a prophet, or a king who would lead them into victories over the Roman armies.
2.  Some groups believed that they alone were to receive the blessings of the coming kingdom, or that they alone would rule above the rest of Israel and the nations.

WHAT JESUS TAUGHT ABOUT THE KINGDOM

1.  The Kingom of God was already beginning to be established through the ministry of Jesus.
2.  The Kingdom of God would not come all at once, but gradually grow.
3.  There would be a final completion to his kingdom when this end of the world would take place.
4.  The kingdom would be established through his ministry and the ministry of his disciples.
5.  Jesus taught that the Old Testament prophecies about the end time kingdom pointed toward his kingdom.

CONCLUSION

1.  The Kingdom of God began with the ministry of Jesus and will come to completion when Jesus returns.
2.  The Kingdom of God grows as the Word of God is spread and people enter into the kingdom through repentance.