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Kingdom of God

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==Synopsis==

The Kingdom of God is a foundational concept in [[Christianity]], and can be viewed as the central theme of [[Jesus]]' message in the [[synoptic Gospels]]. The phrase occurs in the New Testament more than 100 times, and is defined almost entirely by [[parables]]. According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God is within people and entered through acceptance like a child and doing the will of God. It is a kingdom peopled by the righteous; and it is a Kingdom that is spoken about by Jesus, paradoxically, as being a present reality as well as a future hope.

==Contents==

{{topics}}
* [[Synoptic Gospels]] | [[Parables]]
* [[Theology]] | [[Eschatology]]

==Main article==

The Kingdom of God is a foundational concept in [[Christianity]], and can be viewed as the central theme of [[Jesus]]' message in the [[synoptic Gospels]]. The phrase occurs in the New Testament more than 100 times, and is defined almost entirely by [[parables]]. According to Jesus, the Kingdom of God is within people and entered through acceptance like a child and doing the will of God. It is a kingdom peopled by the righteous; and it is a Kingdom that is spoken about by Jesus, paradoxically, as being a present reality as well as a future hope.

===Usage and translation===

The Kingdom of God is translated from the Greek "Βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ" (Basileia tou Theou). In the [[Gospel of Matthew]] it is synonymous with the "Kingdom of Heaven", and in the [[Gospel of John]] it is similar to the concept of "eternal life".

The phrase occurs in the [[New Testament]] more than 100 times.

===Meaning===

There are different views about what Jesus meant by the term "Kingdom of God". These views include the views of:
* [[Consistent eschatology]] - the Kingdom is purely future
* [[Realised eschatology]] - the Kingdom has come
* [[Inaugurated eschatology]] - the Kingdom is both a future hope and a present reality

====The Kingdom of God - both a present reality and a future hope====

Inaugurated eschatology refers to the understanding that Jesus spoke about the Kingdom in both a present sense and in a future sense. On the surface this understanding appears paradoxical. In this understanding, the Kingdom is not a geographical kingdom, but instead it involves
* People repenting and believing in Jesus - something that can be now
* The world coming under Christ's authority - something that will be completely fulfilled in the future

[[Luke 13]] talks about the Kingdom like it is a growing tree - it is here now, but it is also growing or coming.

Biblical evidence that is consistent with this understanding is shown
* Kingdom is Near
** Jesus began by announcing the kingdom was near in [[Mark 1]]
* Kingdom is Among People
** In [[Luke 17]], Jesus states that "The Kingdom of God is within you"
* The Kingdom has already begun
** In [[Matthew 21:31]] Jesus states to the Pharisees that "Prostitutes are entering the kingdom ahead of you"
* Miracles and Healing
** Miracles and healings are offered as evidence that the Kingdom has arrived in [[Matthew 12]]
* Future when all will be fulfilled and judgement will occur
** Jesus speaks of a future where he will come again in [[Mark 13]]
* The [[Lord's Supper]] speaks of a coming kingdom
** In [[Mark 14]] Jesus says "I will not drink the fruit of the vine until I come into my kingdom"
* Prayer for the coming kingdom
** Jesus encourages us to pray for the kingdom to come in [[Matthew 6]]

==Links==

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_God Wikipedia - Kingdom of God]

{{returnto}} [[Synoptic Gospels]] | [[Theology]] | [[Parables]]
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