MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD

James B. Hartline

From their interpretation of the prophecies that were handed down by the prophets of God (which we now find in the Old Testament), the Jews believed that Messiah would come and sit on a physical throne (of David) in Jerusalem, ruling the nations.

The Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah because He did not fit their preconceived idea of what Messiah would be.  Instead of recognizing Jesus as Messiah, the leaders felt threatened by Him and eventually led Him to the Roman authorities, on trumped-up charges.

‘Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”’ John 18:33. NASB

‘Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?”’ John 18:34. NASB

“Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?” John 18:35. KJV

‘Jesus answered, “My kingdom IS NOT of THIS WORLD.  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.”’ John 18:36.  NKJV   

Here is the same scripture as found in the New American Standard Bible:

In John 18:36, Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world.  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." NASB.

This more modern translation is somewhat easier to understand. 

The question is: If His kingdom is not of this realm, then, in what realm is the kingdom?

Jesus taught His followers, as recorded in Luke 17:20b, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;” 21b. “nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

Where is the kingdom of God?  Within you.  This is collectively speaking of those who belong to Christ. 

Jesus was telling His disciples that the kingdom was not to come in the distant future, the kingdom was already present at that time. They did not have to wait for the kingdom to come, Jesus made it clear that “the kingdom of God is in your midst (within you).”  It is not an external, physical, earthly kingdom, with a king sitting on a physical throne. 

His followers, like the leaders they had learned from, thought in terms of a physical kingdom. This is why He explained to them that the kingdom of God is within you, but they still didn’t understand. The kingdom of God exists in the hearts of those who have accepted Jesus. 

Jesus was God in the flesh, come to save His people from their sin.  In Him dwelled all the fullness of the God-head bodily. 

The promises Jesus made were from God, not just from a man.  He said, “The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.” John 14:10b.

Jesus is present with us by the Holy Spirit who takes up residence within us when we are born again, forever turning our hearts toward God. 

He made it clear in John Chapter 14:16, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be IN YOU.”

In John 14:16, Jesus discribed who the Helper is: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

This He spoke of the gift of the Holy Spirit who was first received by those gathered together on the day of Pentecost, and it continues to happen every time someone accepts Jesus as their Savior.

THIS IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE. 

If His kingdom is NOT of THIS WORLD, then what is the doctrine of the so called “Millenium” all about?  Why would anyone think there would be a physical thousand year reign of Christ on the earth when He said that His kingdom is NOT of this world? This can only mean that those who espouse this doctrine haven’t thoroughly read or understood their Bibles.

For those who are sold out to Christ, He rules by His Spirit living within them.  Colossians 1:27: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Since His kingdom is NOT of this world, that rules out a physical kingdom on the earth, however, there will always be a spiritual kingdom on the earth. 

The spiritual realm is totally different from the physical realm and more powerful and more importantGod is Spirit and they who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  This is why we should all learn as much truth from the Bible as we possibly can.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth.  Truth is of utmost importance to God and it should be to us as well.

There will always be people on the earth and a remnant of them will come to faith in Jesus and have eternal life with Him.  “Whosoever will believe” in Jesus, shall be saved, and “of the increase of His government there shall be NO end.” Isaiah 9:7.

The catastrophic end of the earth that has been taught for so long by so many is not foretold in the Bible.  Jesus was foretelling the catastrophic end of Jerusalem and that generation of wicked Jews.

Companion article: http://aftergt.homestead.com/When.html