The Kingdom of God isn’t multi-layered the way most feudal systems are. There aren’t lots of levels, with local rulers lording it over their subjects, bigger rulers lording it over the local ones, and kings lording it over the bigger rulers.

Luke 22:24–30 (NIV)

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

I used the NIV translation here because it captures the right feel in verse 25. The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.

It’s hard for a modern American to imagine the concept of property in a feudal system.

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