The Kingdom of God
Many Christians expect the Kingdom of God to come physically. But is that really what Jesus taught? Consider some of Jesus’ own statements about the topic:
“The kingdom of God does not come with observation [it does not come physically]; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you [it is spiritual]” (Luke 17:20–22).
“My kingdom is not of this world [it is not physical]. 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 [it is spiritual]” (John 18:36).
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [it is not physical], but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit [it is spiritual]” (Rom. 14:17).
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again [spiritually]” (John 3:5).
As these passages show, the Kingdom of God is spiritual, not physical. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean the physical world is not affected—it absolutely is—but the Kingdom of God is nevertheless a spiritual reality.
Furthermore, the Kingdom of God came in the first century. Again, let’s look at some statements from Jesus:
“But if I [Jesus] cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20).
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son” (Col. 1:13).
“Assuredly, I [Jesus] say to you [first-century disciples], there are some standing here who shall not taste death [die] till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matt. 16:28).
Can there be any doubt that the Kingdom of God came in the first century? It had broken in during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry…and came in fullness within the lifetime of Jesus’ first-century audience.
In fact, in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus linked the coming of the Kingdom to the destruction of the temple, which all historians acknowledge happened in the year AD 70. The Discourse begins with Jesus’ disciples commenting on the beautiful temple stones (Luke 21:5), after which Jesus says: “These things which you see [the temple stones]—the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down” (v. 6).
The disciples then asked Jesus when it would happen: “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?” (v. 7).
Then Jesus mentioned the various precursors—such as false messiahs, persecution, war, etc. (v. 8–29)—and then Jesus told his disciples: “When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near” (v. 31).
And then Jesus said: “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place” (v. 34).
Not only did Jesus say the Kingdom would come within a generation—which equates to around forty years[1]—but Jesus also linked the Kingdom’s coming to the destruction of the temple, which happened in AD 70. Although this was a time of judgment for God’s enemies, it was nevertheless a time of vindication and rewards for God’s people as the New Covenant Kingdom of God was officially ushered in in its fullness.
And the Kingdom of God has been expanding throughout the world ever since!
For more information about the topics discussed in the article, please see my book The End Is Here: How the New Testament’s Prophecies Were Fulfilled, available NOW on Amazon.
By Alex Polyak, Director of The Bible Fulfilled, 5/15/25
[1] A biblical generation equates to approximately forty years (see Heb. 3:8–10, Num. 14:30–34, Neh. 9:21). Since Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse in approximately the year AD 30, then it must have been fulfilled by around AD 70.
