In this time between the inauguration and consummation of God’s new creational kingdom, Christians aren’t called to sit idly by, waiting for Jesus to come in the clouds. Neither are believers called to help usher in the new creation by their own works on this earth.

Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God numerous times during his earthly ministry. What is the kingdom of God, and what is its significance for Christians in this world?

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Luke 17:20-21)

God’s kingdom doesn’t grow by the might or power of earthly rulers.

At the time Jesus did his ministry work, people were expecting the Messiah to usher in a glorious earthly kingdom. Instead, Jesus came to be a suffering servant, taking upon himself the punishment we deserved and dying the humiliating death of crucifixion that we might live, and the story doesn’t end there.

Jesus was raised from the dead and he ascended to heaven, and the glorious kingdom of God is indeed growing—but not in a way that is admired by the world:

He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” (Luke 13:18-19)

The kingdom of God and the goal of creation are inextricably connected.

God’s kingdom is growing not by the might or power of earthly rulers but rather by the Holy Spirit’s work in regenerating people to new life in Christ through the faithful proclamation of God’s word (Matt. 28:18-20).

According to New Testament scholar S. M. Baugh in his book The Majesty on High: Introduction to the Kingdom of God in the New Testament, “the kingdom of God is the new creation” (Kindle loc. 165-166). Baugh elaborates regarding God’s purpose in creation:

As the center of the Scriptures the kingdom of God in its consummate form was the goal of creation with Adam and Eve from the beginning, which was ruined by Adam’s fall into sin.

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