The Kingdom in Us? Luke 17:20-21

I was with a very good friend recently who is well read and spiritually astute. As we were talking, the subject of the kingdom of God came up and he referenced Luke 17:20-21 which says,

Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." Luke 17:20-21

Based on this passage, he asked me in what sense is the kingdom of God 'within us'. He was incredibly shocked when I told him that Jesus is not saying the kingdom of God is in us in any real or even spiritual sense.

This is just one of a number of mistranslated and misunderstood passages concerning the kingdom of God (see this post or this post for others).  A lot of people mistakenly believe that the kingdom of God is not material, but purely spiritual, or that it is inside true believers. But if one examines the passage carefully, it is clear that this cannot be what Jesus is saying.

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees about the kingdom. He has already gone on record stating that their righteousness was not sufficient to enter the kingdom of God (see Matthew 5:20). Therefore, Christ cannot be saying that the kingdom was "within" them. What is He saying?

Jesus is explaining that the kingdom of God is not coming with a particular sign or event that people can point to and say "here it is" or "there it is". The kingdom will be ushered in by the King. It begins with the person of Christ, the Messiah. The Pharisees and others should not be looking for a happening, but a person, and that is why Jesus tells them that the "kingdom of God is in your midst" (as translated by the NASV among others).

The point is that Jesus will be bringing in the kingdom of God and He is standing before them, right in their 'midst'. But unfortunately they are completely oblivious to this truth and don't recognize who He is. Therefore they rejected Him as the messiah and lost the opportunity for the kingdom to come in their generation (see v. 25). But the kingdom will come when the Son of Man is revealed "in His day" (v. 24) and like lightning illuminates the entire sky, everyone will see Him and recognize Him when He comes at that time.

Two Kingdoms or Just One?

What I believe,and it is the official position of our church, is that Jesus is going to return someday soon to establish His kingdom literally and physically here on earth as the fulfillment of biblical prophecies, and most importantly, God's plan for this world. Having said that, sometimes we sing a song in our worship service that speaks about us being in God's kingdom now or I say something that indicates we are serving God as members of His kingdom today. This unfortunately freaks some people out and confuses others. So I want to clarify this as succinctly as I can for a preacher.

The Bible teaches that the one, true and living God is "King" (Psalm 145:1). This kingdom is from eternity past through eternity future (Daniel 4:34, Psalm 145:13),and His dominion is over all land, sea and people (Psalm 96:3-7). So there is a sense in which we can speak of "God's eternal kingdom." We are all in it and subject to His rule. Although some deny it and resist Him, He is still King and He is still sovereignly in charge of the entire universe (see Daniel 4:34-35). Therefore, it is theologically and biblically correct to worship God as King, obey Him as King, and speak of being in His kingdom right now. But, that is different from the "Millennial Kingdom" which is a future kingdom not yet established by the personal return of Christ to earth (see Revelation 19-20 as just one passage that confirms and describes this truth).

The question some have is this: Is Christ on the throne of David right now in heaven? I don't believe so, although some friends have tried to convince me of it. I just don't see the scriptural evidence. What I do believe is that Christ has already been given "the name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9), and that name is "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Revelation 19:15). I also don't have a problem with the concept of Christ ruling God's eternal kingdom with the Father from the right hand of power and authority. That does not negate the truth that God has always desired His rule to be literally and completely carried out on earth, and since man has failed miserably to do so (and always will), God's plan from the beginning is for His Son to come and complete His rule on earth. That millennial kingdom is not yet. But we can correctly speak of two kingdoms: God's eternal kingdom now and Christ's millennial kingdom in the future.*

*For a Reformed perspective on this issue that I believe has a lot of truth in it see Kevin DeYoung's post on the issue of one or two kingdoms.

Christ's Kingdom not of this World? John 18:36

Probably once a week I hear or read, "Christ's kingdom is not of this world." The point the person is trying to make may vary but the bottom line is they are using this quote as 'Exhibit A' to prove that the kingdom of our Lord was not and never will be something physically or literally on planet earth.

However when Christ says to Pilate in John 18:36, "My kingdom is not of this world", He is not saying....

• That His kingdom is in another place or
• That His kingdom is purely spiritual or
• That His kingdom is in another dimension. 

What Christ is saying in the context is that His authority as King does not come from this world, but from heaven, and that His kingdom will not come to fruition through human politics or efforts. Our Lord was trying to assure Pilate that He was no threat to Rome. Yes, He is a King. Christ explicitly admits this (v.37). In fact the word 'kingdom' here could be, and probably should be translated "kingship". The point is that no one 'of this world' would make Him King and He would not become King by the normal means and processes of this world. This is why Christ says, "If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." 

This passage is not a proof-text for a non-literal, spiritual kingdom. Whether the kingdom of Christ is present or future, literal or spiritual, or all of the above, can be reasonably discussed from other passages. But this verse is simply teaching that Christ's kingdom will not come by this world's means of establishing kingdoms. Christ's authority comes from the Father and He will establish His kingdom by His power and authority (see Psalm 2).

This may cause some people to reevaluate their view of the kingdom. But at the very least, it should encourage all of us to recognize who's doing the establishing and how it is being done. God is doing it His way. Not us, our way.