The Kingdom of God’s Beloved Son
Jesus Christ is the King of glory (Ps 24:7–10). He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim 6:15). He is the King eternal (1 Tim 1:17); and the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior is abundantly supplied to those who are called, “chosen and faithful (Rev 17:14).”
Men, because of sin, are born and naturally inhabit the kingdom of darkness. The god of this world has enslaved men to sin, and man happily complies with his regimen of dark pleasures that lead him to destruction. As citizens of the rogue domain, there is a hostility against the true and rightful Heir to the throne of God. Man is at enmity with the Righteous One.
The two kingdoms are at war with one another because the two princes are in conflict for dominion. The adversary is notable, but he remains under the sovereignty of God. As the drama unfolds, the action intensifies. It is building a plot line to a climax. When it was darkest, King Jesus was sent by His Father in heaven. His mission: save His people (Mt 1:21).
The kingdom of God’s beloved Son, promised long before, told to the prophets, came to earth in an unexpected way. Kings tend to invade enemy territory in grand style, but the Messiah of God appeared at the appointed time in sublime humility.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” was His royal proclamation. The elect of God the Father turned from their wicked ways, while the reprobate scoffed at His royal mandate to lay down His life for His people. God His Father sent this Prince of peace, His only begotten Son, to reconcile His elect from every nation. Through the death of Jesus, with His precious blood of the covenant, peace came to some, even many, but not all men. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Cor 5:19).
Slaves to Satan, in his domain of darkness, were set free by the light of truth. The Word of truth declared the release of captives. Disarmed principalities and powers were plundered (Col 2:15), as the Son of God brought many sons to glory (Heb 2:10).
Today, the kingdom of God’s beloved Son continues to gather God’s people into His holy nation, the church (1 Pet 2:9). When the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26; 15:26), He took up the work of the kingdom on earth, so that the apostle Paul wrote, “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).” In other words, the kingdom is spiritual.
The spiritual kingdom of Christ remains in conflict with the world, which resists every advance of the Spirit. Thus, the mission of the heavenly kingdom is reconnaissance of elect slaves. The Spirit of God delivers us from Satan’s domain and transfers us to the kingdom of God, ruled by the Son of God, who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. The Son of God, King Jesus, reigns in glory (Ps 110).
Evidence of the Spirit’s kingdom work of liberation is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22–23). The Spirit, being the life of God in the soul of man, is producing the life of Christ from His abode within elect believers. Obedience to King Jesus, a demonstration of love for Him (Jn 14:15, 21), is caused by the Spirit (Ezek 36:27).
As Christ adds to His body, the church, He is also growing His people in holiness, by His Spirit’s union with Christians (Rom 8:9, 11). The kingdom of God’s beloved Son is manifesting in the hearts of Christ’s faithful followers, who are faithful only because of Him who dwells in them. The goal is to be like the King of righteousness. Our only hope is that He who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion, so that He may present us holy and blameless, before God the Father, on the day of Christ Jesus, the King and beloved Son of God.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 22, 2021
