I have found at least four ways the term “Kingdom of God” has been used. First, it has been used to show that God is sovereign over His entire creation – saved or lost, rebellious or not (Psa 29:10; 74:12; 92:8; 95:3; 135:5-6; 145:13; Dan 4:34-35).

The Kingdom of God has also been used to define God’s rule over His chosen people, Israel in Old Testament times (Deut 4:6-8; 7:6; 14:2).

Today (the church age) the term Kingdom of God is applied to God’s spiritual rule over any and all who willingly submit to His authority. This would include every Christian from the moment of salvation (Col 1:12-14; Eph 2:12-19; Col 1:12-13; Heb 12:22-24).

Finally, the term Kingdom of God in a prophetic sense refers to Jesus’ future, earthly reign of a thousand years. Many prophesies, both Old and New Testament, speak of this re-establishment of Israel’s fallen kingdom as the fulfillment of promises made to Israel and David (Isaiah 9:7; 11: 25-27, 35; Psa 22:27-28, 47; 72; 102:12-22; Dan 7:14-27; Matt 25:31; Rom 11:25-27). Christ will physically rule the world as its king (by way of an established government). During this time, not everyone on earth will be saved, but they will all be under God’s rule.

So, how does the present spiritual Kingdom of God in this church age differ from the coming physical Kingdom of God when Christ reigns on earth?

To begin with the church is called the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12, 27). This relationship is what makes the church an organism rather than just an organization (Eph 1:22-23; 5:23-24). The word church comes from the Greek word, “ecclesia” (meaning “called out”). The Bible makes it clear that the church consists of those who have been called out of this world to serve God. On the other hand, Christ’s coming earthly kingdom is an organization ‘of this world’ and will rule all nations, including both the saved and unsaved on earth (Rev 12:5; Dan 7:14, 22, 27).

The Bible says that the Church is particularly blessed, is administered (seated) in heaven and will come down with Christ to rule during the coming thousand year reign of Christ (Eph 1:3; 2:6; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 20:6). It is interesting that the church is never identified with a particular national or ethnic group (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11). The coming Kingdom of God, however, is specifically said to consist of all the nations of the world, ruled by Christ from Israel (Joel 3:17-21; Isaiah 14:1-2; 49:22-23; 60:12-15; Jer 23:5-6; Micah 5:2; Zech 2:10-14; 14:9-10, 16-17).

Other differences would include that fact that the church is never to force conversions through the use of violence or arms. Nor is the Gospel to depend on government assistance (Matt 26:52; Rom 12:17-21). During His millennial reign, however, Christ will actually use war and violence to set up the kingdom (the Tribulation) and maintain its security (Zech 14:1-5; Joel 3:1-2, 9-16; Rev 19:11-21).