THE DISTINCT CHURCH OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
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Eternal Kingdom 
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God is King of all kings (Psalm 10:16; 29:10; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16).  His sovereignty extends over all creation (1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Psalm 50:1; 66:7; 93:1; 103:19; Isaiah 40:15, 17; Daniel 4:34-35; 1 Timothy 6:15). 
 
                                          Kingdom of God
 
The “kingdom of God” is fundamental to the message of both Old and New Testaments. Although not addressed by title in the Old Testament, the existence of the “kingdom of God” is communicated consistently throughout. In the New Testament it is referenced more directly and specifically. The phrase “kingdom of God” is used 66 times and the kingdom and kingdom authority of God are referenced more than 145 times.

As previously indicated, the meaning of the Hebrew (malkuth - mal-kooth') and Greek (basileia - bas-il-i'-ah) words translated “kingdom” in the Bible are similar. First and foremost, they refer to the rank, authority and sovereignty exercised by a king.[1] Thus, the primary emphasis of the “kingdom of God” in the Bible is the sovereign authority of God.

​The “kingdom of God” is indeed suggestive of a realm and subjects, but they are only secondary and derived from its primary meaning. Consequently, when Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”, He was not suggesting the pursuit of a realm or people (Matthew 6:33). He was appealing for personal submission to divine authority. 
 
The original languages of the Bible indicate that the kingdom of God should be defined as follows:

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Kingdom of God:
​The sovereign authority of God manifested in eternity and time for the benefit of His creation.  
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                                         Kingdom Attributes

First and foremost indicative of divine authority, the kingdom of God is referent to a heavenly person rather than a heavenly place (cf. Romans 14:17).  Consequently, it is reasonable to believe that the divine kingdom shares many, if not all, of the attributes of the nature of the life (zoe) of its King.

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Congruent with the nature of divine life (zoe), the kingdom of God is among other things characterized by:  
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Kingdom Attributes
Definition
Sovereignty
​The unveiled supremacy of divine life (zoe). 
Glory
The illuminating splendor of divine life (zoe). 
Infiniteness
The immeasurable boundlessness of divine life (zoe).  ​
Holiness
The moral and ethical perfection of divine life (zoe). 
Immutability
The invariability of divine life (zoe).    
Life
The absolute fullness of divine life (zoe).   
Power
The incomparable power of divine life (zoe). 
Illumination
The perfect illumination of divine life (zoe). 
Truthfulness
The infallible reality of divine life (zoe). 
Love
The sacrificial selflessness of divine life (zoe). 
Benevolence
The endless provision of divine life (zoe).     
Peacefulness
The unconditional tranquility, harmony and rest of divine life (zoe).  
Immortality
The imperishability of divine, eternal life (zoe).  
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                                     Kingdom Citizenship
 
The realm of divine authority is populated by both angelic and human subjects. Existing in a state of willing submission, they are holy and immortal by nature.  
 
                                    Kingdom Governance
 
The governance of the “kingdom of God” is theocratic in nature. It is fulfilled by the eternal God.

As indicated beforehand, God does not govern His eternal kingdom by rule of law. The Apostle Paul clarified when he said, “…. law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane” (1 Timothy 1:9).

Relative to the righteousness of its angelic and human citizens, the principle of law is not necessary in the “kingdom of God”. Thus, they are not ruled by divine commandment, statute or ordinance, but governed by the gracious rule of divine life (zoe).

Governance according to the rule of law can allow the adherent to do nothing more than become aware of his sin and recognize that he bears only “fruit unto death” (Romans 7:5). Thus, it is not conducive for the cultivation of intimate fellowship between God and man.

Conversely, governance by the rule of indwelling life (zoe) does not reveal the transgression of law or sin. Instead, it only unveils the righteousness, grace and glory of the living (zoe) God.

Governance by divine life (zoe) is fulfilled in accordance with the gracious, presence of the indwelling Spirit of life (zoe) (Romans 8:2). The citizens of the kingdom are “alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). They “live by the Spirit” of Christ (Galatians 5:25; cf. Romans 8:9). As a result, the citizens of the kingdom of God are by nature said to be “according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4, 5) and “in the Spirit” (Romans 8:9).


“According to the Spirit” and “in the Spirit”, the redeemed of the kingdom of God exist in the realm or sphere of the Spirit. It is characterized by grace, love and fruitfulness beyond human measure (cf. Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 John 5:3).

In the realm or sphere of the Spirit, governance by divine life (zoe) allows for the saint to enjoy true intimacy with God. Consequently, it provides the means for him to “serve in newness of the Spirit” and “bear fruit for God” (Romans 7:4-6). 

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The Apostle Paul makes a clear distinction between governance by law and life (zoe). In Romans 8:2 he states, “…the law (nomos – figuratively: principle) of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (governance by life (zoe)) has set you free from the law (nomos – figuratively: principle) of sin and of death (governance by law; cf. Romans 3:20; 4:15; 7:7; 2 Corinthians 3:7-9). In the New Testament, the rule of life (zoe) is described not only as the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus”, but the “law of faith”, the “law of Christ” and the “law of liberty” (Romans 3:27; 8:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2; James 1:25; 2:12).

The “kingdom of God” can be briefly defined and described as follows:               
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Category
Description
Definition:
​The sovereign authority of God manifested in eternity and time for the benefit of His creation.  
Realm:
​Eternal; transcending the boundaries of created space-time (Psalm 10:16; 29:10; 145:10-13).  
Character:
​Glorious, holy, powerful and eternal (concordant with the nature of the divine king). 
Citizenship:
Angelic and human beings.
Qualification for Citizenship:
Divinely awarded holiness and immortality; willing submission to the authority of the divine King.  
Governance:
Theocratic; by divine life (zoe).
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© 2018 James Hiatt


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