Question: What Is the Christian's Relation to the Kingdom?

Although it was motivated by a desire to mock the accused who had been before him and to antagonize His accusers, Pilate’s designation of the Lord Jesus as the King of the Jews (John 19:19) was accurate, as the Lord Himself had confirmed earlier (Luke 23:3; see also Matt. 2:2). He was of the royal line (Luke 1:32). Although His own did not, as a nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More, receive Him (John 1:11), the small number who followed Him realized that He was the one who would redeem the nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More (Luke 24:21). Nevertheless, as the nationNation (not nations) refers to any kind of people on the whole earth. This term is used to describe both Jews (John 11:51; Acts 10:22) and all other tribes. The... More publicly declared that He was not their King (John 19:15), ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More is yet to take up His positionThe Christian position cannot be separated from Christian practice, but a distinction must be made. "Position" means how God sees us now. In the eyes of God, we are "in... More as Israel’s King.

However, God has already anointed Him as King (Ps. 2:6), and what God has proposed in this appointment will come to pass. When the Jews feel their distress at the end of the tribulationIn the Bible, tribulation stands for oppression and persecution, such as the first Christians had to go through (2 Thes 1:4) and in particular the earthly people of God, Israel,... More, the Lord Jesus will, in graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More, come as their King and deliver them from their enemies (Jer. 23:5–6). He will also establish Himself as King over all the earth (Zech. 14:9; Dan. 7:14; Rev. 11:15).

Is ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More King now? Does His kingship have any application to the Christian in this dispensationA dispensation is a specific time of human history that has its own rules and in which God reveals Himself in a particular way. Seven different dispensations can be distinguished... More? Such questions are not unreasonable as the New Testament refers to a kingdom existing at present and, in fact, to believers having been brought into it (e.g., Col. 1:13). The many references to the Lord Jesus as King in Christian media today may also cause many believers to ask whether ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More is their King.

Focusing on the relevance of the kingdom to the individual believer, the following notes may be helpful.

1. The Lord Jesus is not the Christian’s King or the King of the AssemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More. The New Testament contains no suggestion that He is. Although we are subjects in His moral kingdom (see also point 3 below), ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More is not exercising His kingship at present (Luke 19:12–15). Hence, we do not address Him as ‘King’. Our relationship to Him as His bride and members of His body is a much closer one.
2. Even though His work upon the cross has been completed, Christ’s kingdom has not yet been publicly established (see Acts 1:6). It will not be until all of the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More empires have been dashed to pieces, including the revived Roman empire which is yet future (Dan. 2; Rev. 13–17; see also Rev. 11:14–19).
3. While believers today are subjects of His kingdom, His kingdom and our positionThe Christian position cannot be separated from Christian practice, but a distinction must be made. "Position" means how God sees us now. In the eyes of God, we are "in... More as subjects of it are manifested morally. The parableA parable is a pictorial representation of messages that are not directly stated and require interpretation. God already used parables in the Old Testament to convey messages to his people... More in Matthew 25:14–30 illustrates this. The ruler of the kingdom (the Lord Jesus) is absent from this earth, and what should exercise the consciences of His servants (believers) is how they occupy themselves in His interests during His absence. When the Lord returns and establishes His kingdom publicly, He will reward each of us according to our service (vs. 20–23).
4. The Lord Jesus also expects us to follow the example that He left us (1 Pet. 2:21). In particular, we are to manifest the same moral qualities He did in His life on earth. There will also be compensation for this when the kingdom is publicly displayed, as demonstrated by the blessings and great reward referred to in Matthew 5:3–12.
5. Being a faithful subject of the kingdom in its present manifestation involves suffering (Rev. 1:9). Peter addresses this in detail in his first letter. However, although we may suffer for righteousness’ sake now, we can be encouraged by knowing that this also brings a blessingA blessing is something good, in the Old Testament, usually associated with possessions, prosperity, and health, and is usually pronounced over someone. In principle, the lesser is blessed by the... More (1 Pet. 3:14).

In summary, the Lord Jesus is not our King, nor will He ever have that relation to us. When He reigns over the earth, we will reign with Him (Rev. 20:6). Nevertheless, the things which will mark His kingdom in the millennium — righteousness, joy, and peace — are to mark us today (Rom. 14:17). Kingdom truth for individual believers today involves our demonstrating our loyalty to our Lord and Savior. At the same time, He is absent from this worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More that has rejected Him by faithfully imitating and serving Him while we await His return.