Of the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Mark writes, “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mk. 1:14-15, NKJV).
In spite of the fact that Jesus began His public preaching by declaring that the time had drawn near for the establishment of His kingdom, many religious people do not believe the kingdom of Christ has come. Popular false doctrines, such as Premillennialism and Dispensationalism, have led many to believe that when Christ comes again it will be to return to the earth in order to complete the unfinished business of establishing His kingdom, over which He will reign on earth for a period of one thousand years. The widespread popularity of this concept is motivation enough for taking a closer look at what the Bible says about the establishment of the Lord’s kingdom.
With regard to whether or not the kingdom has come, please consider the following:
1. The kingdom would come in the lifetime of Jesus’ first disciples. Prior to His death and resurrection, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power” (Mark 9:1). If the kingdom has not yet come, then Christ either lied or failed, or there are some first century disciples still living today. Since none of those options are possible, the only logical explanation remaining is that the kingdom was established in the lifetime of the first followers of Christ (cf. Luke 24:46-49; Acts 2:1-4).
2. The kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. When questioned by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here’” (John 18:36). Those who expect Jesus to return to earth in order to establish an earthly kingdom are living with the wrong expectation. The Lord Himself said His kingdom is not of this world, thereby indicating its spiritual nature.
3. The kingdom was present in the lifetime of Paul. Of the spiritual salvation God has brought about for mankind, the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colosse, saying, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). The apostle Paul and the Christians in Colosse had already been made part of the kingdom of Christ during the first century, A.D. In other words, the kingdom has already come.
4. The kingdom was present in the lifetime of John. The apostle John wrote to the churches of Asia Minor, saying, “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:9). John and his fellow brethren were already in the kingdom of Jesus Christ prior to the close of the first century, A.D.
Conclusion. Yes, the kingdom has already come. The kingdom of Christ is composed of those who have obeyed the gospel of Christ and who also look forward to being part of His everlasting kingdom in heaven. “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:10-11). Are you a citizen of His kingdom?