A King is someone who is “Royal,” and rules over the people who make up the “Kingdom.”
Kingdom – 4437 malkuw mal-koo’ (Aramaic) corresponding to 4438; dominion (abstractly or concretely):–kingdom, kingly, realm, reign.
4438 malkuwth mal-kooth’ or malkuth {mal-kooth’}; or (in plural) malkuyah {mal-koo-yah’}; from 4427; a rule; concretely, a dominion:–empire, kingdom, realm, reign, royal.
God is referred to as King:
“Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. “
Psalm 24:8
“Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. “ Isaiah 41:21
It is in Daniel (late in the Old Testament era) that the clear idea of the supernatural Kingdom of God (CHOSEN PEOPLE) comes into clearer view: Dan. 2:44, along with Daniel 7 – Which speaks about God’s Kingdom very clearly:
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” Daniel 2:44
“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. “ Matthew 3:2*
*Take note that “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven” is being used interchangeably.”
In Matthew 16:18−19, Jesus announces the coming establishment of a new organization (an ecclesia) and immediately says that the authority (keys) of the Kingdom of God will be exercised through this ecclesia:
“18. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. “
Church – 1577. ekklesia ek-klay-see’-ah from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):–assembly, church.
A good definition of the church would be:
“The Holy-Spirit-filled group of people called out and established by Christ as the primary visible expression of the Kingdom of God in this world.”
Things can get very confusing when we start talking about the “church/ Ecclesia. There is an important factor which MUST be established in the discussion of the church; and that is whether you are talking about the time period before or after the Rapture.
The reason why this is so important is because the people who will make up the church will be different before and after the Rapture. We know that these things are happening in the church AFTER the Rapture because of the following circumstances . . .
Observe what the Lord is saying in this Parable:
“24. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? 28. He said unto them, an enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29. But he said, nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. . . .
- Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38. The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; SO SHALL IT BE IN THE END OF THIS WORLD. 41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth . . . .
- So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just. 50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13
The church is an integral aspect of the unfolding Kingdom of God. Also recognize that the Kingdom of God is not a physical place, but a spiritual place where the church aspires to be:
“17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Rom. 14:17-19
When we are reading and referring to the Kingdom of God as it is found in the Holy Bible, it is talking about the Church (Ecclesia). This also poses another question: “IF THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS MADE UP OF CHURCH FOLKS, WHY IS THERE A SEPARATE REFERENCE APPLIED BETWEEN THEM?” Why doesn’t Paul simply say something like: “THE TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO ACT IS AT HAND?” If indeed the Kingdom of God is referring to the “Ecclesia,” would this not be an appropriate statement?
I personally believe that they are distinguished because of the timing. I am making reference to the role and state of the Church before and after the Rapture (there is a difference in the role of the Church before and after the Rapture. Expound). But nevertheless, I still do not see the Kingdom of God as a place!
CONCLUSION