Building God's Kingdom on Earth According to Scripture
The concept of "building God's kingdom on earth" in Scripture refers to the establishment and expansion of God's sovereign rule and redemptive purposes within the world. While God's kingdom has always existed as a kingdom of power extending over all creation [5], the New Testament emphasizes a spiritual and moral kingdom established by Christ [10, 11].
Jesus's ministry began with the proclamation of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14) [9]. He taught that this kingdom is not like earthly kingdoms, characterized by worldly splendor or political power [11]. Instead, it is a spiritual reality, consisting of "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17) [11]. Jesus also stated that "the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21) [8, 11], indicating its internal and transformative nature.
The growth of this kingdom is often described through parables, such as the mustard seed and the leaven, illustrating its gradual but pervasive influence [4]. While the kingdom of God is not primarily concerned with civil or political affairs, it does impact the moral relations of humanity [11]. The church is understood as God's kingdom on earth, where God exercises moral rule over rational beings who have revolted against Him [7]. Those who are regenerate and converted are the subjects of this kingdom [3].
The Old Testament also contains references to building and planting kingdoms (Jeremiah 18:9) [2]. The construction of the Temple, for instance, was considered a central aspect of God's kingdom on earth (1 Chronicles 17:12) [6]. This "building" metaphor extends to the spiritual realm, where believers are made "a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth" (Revelation 5:10) [1]. This reign is ultimately realized when Christ returns and gathers His people into the kingdom prepared for them, which will consist only of the redeemed [3].
Sources
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 5:10 (BSB) — You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.””
- Jeremiah “At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; -- Jeremiah 18:9”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 124: § 4. The Kingdom of Glory. The Scriptures teach that when Christ shall come again, He will gather his people into the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. Concerning that kingdom it is taught, — 1. That it shall consist only of the redeemed. None but the regenerate or converted can enter that kingdom. The tares are to be separated from the wheat. The evil, we are told ( Gal. v. 21 ), “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Nothing that defiles or is untrue can enter there. 2. Those counted worthy of that kingdom sh”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 94: among the Gentiles.” The Scriptures abound with passages of similar import. It is not only asserted that the kingdom of Christ is to attain this universal extension by slow degrees, but its gradual progress is illustrated in various ways. Our Lord compares his kingdom to a grain of mustard-seed, which is indeed the least of all seeds, but when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs; and to heaven which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 857 9. Although God has always had a kingdom upon earth,”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 94: is presented in different aspects in the Word of God. Viewed as extending over all creatures, it is a kingdom of power, which, according to 1 Corinthians xv. 24 , He shall deliver up to God even the Father, when his mediatorial work is accomplished. Viewed in relation to his own people on earth it is the kingdom of grace. They all recognize Him as their absolute proprietor and sovereign. They all confide in his protection, and devote themselves to his service. He rules in them and reigns over them, and subdues all their and his enemies. V”
- 1 Chronicles (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Chronicles 17:12: 17:12 The construction of the Temple was a central aspect of God’s kingdom on earth. Solomon later built the Temple (2 Chr 2–7) and fulfilled this promise.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 121: § 1. The Church God’s Kingdom . God as the creator and preserver of the universe, and as infinite in his being and perfections, is, in virtue of his nature, the absolute sovereign of all his creatures. This sovereignty He exercises over the material world by his wisdom and power, and over rational beings as a moral ruler. From this rightful authority of God, our race revolted, and thereby became a part of the kingdom of darkness of which Satan is the head. To this kingdom the mass of mankind has ever since belonged. But God, in his. grac”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 17:20: 17:20-37 This is the first of two discourses in Luke’s Gospel on the coming of the Kingdom and the return of the Son of Man (see also ch 21). 17:20-21 When will the Kingdom of God come? The common understanding among Jews was that the Messiah would establish God’s Kingdom in Jerusalem; he would defeat Israel’s enemies and bring in a period of peace, prosperity, justice, and righteousness (see 3:15; cp. Acts 1:6). The Pharisees were apparently challenging Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah because he was not defeating the Romans or establishing his Kingdom physically on”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 122: the kingdom of God.” ( Mark i. 14 .) Much of his teaching was devoted to setting forth the nature of the kingdom which He came to establish. Nothing, therefore, is more certain, according to the Scriptures, than that Christ is a king; and consequently, if we would retain 599 the truth concerning Him and his work, He must be so regarded in our theology and religion.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:10: Thy kingdom come--The kingdom of God is that moral and spiritual kingdom which the God of grace is setting up in this fallen world, whose subjects consist of as many as have been brought into hearty subjection to His gracious scepter, and of which His Son Jesus is the glorious Head. In the inward reality of it, this kingdom existed ever since there were men who "walked with God" (Gen 5:24), and "waited for His salvation" (Gen 49:18); who were "continually with Him, holden by His right hand" (Psa 73:23), and who, even in the valley of the shadow of dea”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 94: kingdom, our Lord Himself teaches us that it is not of this world. It is not analogous to the kingdoms which exist among men. It is not a kingdom of earthly splendour, wealth, or power. It does not concern the civil or political affairs of men, except in their moral relations. Its rewards and enjoyments are not the good things of this world. It is said to consist in “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” ( Rom. xiv. 17 .) Christ told his hearers, “The kingdom of God is within you.” The condition of admission into that king”