1. The Kingdom of God “Denoting sovereignty, royal power, dominion; then by metonymy…denoting the territory or people over whom a king rules” (W.E. Vine).

2. Compare World The universe – Rom. 1:20 Human race – Jn. 3:16 The earth – Mt. 4:8 Things opposed to God – 1 Jn. 2:15

3. Kingdom – God’s Reign Ps. 22:27,28 – “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.” Mt. 12:28; Lk. 21:31 (God’s rule)

4. God Rules Man was made in the image of God, Gen. 1:26,27 God came in the flesh, Jn. 1:14; Heb. 2:14 No other place in the universe can be called “the visited planet.” The king of the universe paid us a visit! All are accountable to Him (Jn. 5:24-29).

5. Kingdom of Israel Ex. 19:5,6 – “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” So – a kingdom within a kingdom

6. God Ruled Israel 1 Chron. 29:10-16 – “Yours, O Lord is the greatness, the power and the glory… Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all…All this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own.”

7. God Also Ruled Gentile Nations Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar – “They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses” (Dan. 4:25,32). Christ is “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15).

8. A Spiritual Kingdom Dan. 2:44; 7:13,14; Heb. 12:28 Matthew – Christ as King 4:23; 9:35; 11:11; 13:38-48; 16:18,19; 26:26-29 (1 Cor. 11:23-26) This kingdom will be delivered to the eternal kingdom – heaven (Mt. 25:34; 1 Cor. 15:22-26).

9. God versus Satan God’s reign is described in three ways – over His creation (the world), over the nation of Israel (a physical kingdom) and over the church (a spiritual kingdom). Satan also has a kingdom – Mt. 4:8; 12:26; Col. 1:13

10. Two Ways to Heaven Those who die without sin (before entering Satan’s kingdom)…..Kingdom of Heaven, Mt. 18:3; 19:14 Those in the Kingdom of Christ….Kingdom of Heaven, 2 Pet. 1:10,11; 1 Cor. 15:24

11. Two Ways to Hell Those die in sin, Is. 59:1,2; 2 Thess. 1:7-9 Those who become unfaithful, Mt. 25:1-13

12. Conclusion Those who are not accountable – are neither saved nor lost…but safe. God gave no terms of salvation for an infant! Those who are accountable – are responsible to obey (Rom. 6:17,18) and remain faithful (Mt. 25:31-34; 1 Cor. 15:58)