"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
The Bible speaks so frequently about the kingdom of God but does not offer any clear definition of what it is and what it looks like. As a result, we are left to wonder today whether we have already seen the kingdom of God or if it is a reality that is still to come.
What is the kingdom of God? The most simple definition is that it is God's reign and lordship. What makes a kingdom a kingdom is its subjects and its king. We know who the subjects of God's kingdom are and who is king. So in that sense God's kingdom is already here.
But how about the other forces and people who go against the lordship of God? How about the "demons" inside us that struggle against the kingdom of God? Could it be that God's kingdom is not yet here?
The Kingdom of God Is Here But Is Still Coming
To understand the kingdom of God is to comprehend the fact that God's kingdom can exist in two states—as being here and as not being here. God's kingdom is here because Christ has already been given all authority. In Matthew 28:18 Jesus says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." It is by Christ's authority that we are reconciled and that we are commissioned to go for Him.
In this sense, God's kingdom is here. But in the same light, His kingdom is not fully here yet. There are other authorities—although not as powerful as Christ's—that rule our world. These are the authorities of sin and death, of man and governments, and of our own flesh. Not all these forces go with God.
So how does that turn out?
Let us take for instance today's politics. The U.S. recently concluded an election period that saw the election of a new president. However, not all people are willing to submit to this national leader.
In the same way, Christ was elected as leader and king of all the world when He defeated sin and death and their rule on earth. That kingdom is here. But unlike any human leader, Christ can and will soon have full authority above all things. Nothing will stand against Him and be exalted above Him. That kingdom is yet to come.
The Kingdom of God is near, but it is also here. God's sovereignty has never been eclipsed, and the day will come that it will not be challenged at all.
