The Kingdom of God: Understanding the "Now and Not Yet"

A seed sprouting into a large tree, symbolizing the growth of the Kingdom of God

"The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Romans 14:17

Introduction: The Central Theme of Jesus' Ministry

When Jesus began his public ministry, his first recorded words were not "God loves you" or "You need to be forgiven." His opening message was a radical, world-altering announcement: "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15). The "Gospel of the Kingdom" was the central theme of his teaching, the subject of his parables, and the reality he demonstrated through his miracles. He spoke of it more than any other single topic. Yet, for many modern Christians, the concept of the "Kingdom of God" can feel abstract, confusing, or synonymous with a vague idea of heaven.

What is this Kingdom that Jesus proclaimed? Is it a physical place, a spiritual reality, or a future hope? The biblical answer is, in many ways, "all of the above." The Kingdom of God is the dynamic rule and reign of God in the universe. It is wherever God's will is done, wherever His authority is acknowledged, and wherever His redemptive power is at work. Theologians often describe the Kingdom using the phrase "now and not yet." It is a present reality that has broken into the world through the person and work of Jesus Christ, yet it is also a future hope that will only be fully realized when He returns in glory. Understanding this tension is crucial to living an effective Christian life. It frees us from both an irrelevant escapism that only focuses on heaven "then" and a naive utopianism that expects a perfect world "now." This article will explore this magnificent theme, unpacking what it means to enter the Kingdom, live as its citizens, and eagerly await its final consummation.

The Kingdom "Now": The Reign of God in the Present Age

When the Jewish people of Jesus' day heard the phrase "Kingdom of God," they were thinking of the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies—a political, military Messiah-King who would overthrow the Roman oppressors, restore the throne of David, and establish Israel as the preeminent nation on earth. Jesus did not deny that he was this King, but he redefined the nature of his Kingdom's arrival. It was not coming, in its initial phase, with political power and military might, but with spiritual power and humble service.

The King Has Come

The Kingdom of God came near because the King Himself had arrived. The presence of Jesus on earth was the personal invasion of God's rule into enemy-occupied territory. When the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Satan, Jesus responded, "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28). His miracles—healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, calming the storm—were not random acts of kindness. They were powerful demonstrations that the reign of God was breaking into the world, pushing back the darkness, disease, and chaos caused by sin and Satan's rebellion. They were previews of the full restoration that His Kingdom would one day bring.

Entering the Kingdom

Since the Kingdom is the sphere of God's rule, entering the Kingdom means willingly submitting to God's rule as King. This happens at conversion. When a person repents of their sin and self-rule and trusts in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are, in that moment, "rescued... from the dominion of darkness and brought... into the kingdom of the Son he loves" (Colossians 1:13). The Kingdom of God, in its "now" aspect, is a spiritual reality. It is composed of all the people in whose hearts King Jesus reigns. It is a relationship before it is a realm. This is what Jesus meant when he told the Pharisees, "the kingdom of God is in your midst" or "within you" (Luke 17:21). The King was right there in front of them, and His Kingdom was being established in the hearts of those who followed Him.

The Parables of the Kingdom

Jesus taught extensively about the present, hidden nature of the Kingdom through parables:

The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13): The Kingdom advances as the "seed" of God's Word is sown, and it finds root in receptive hearts, while others reject it.
The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13): The Kingdom starts invisibly small, like a tiny seed, but grows into something great and influential in the world.
The Parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13): The Kingdom works from the inside out, like yeast, silently and pervasively transforming individuals and society.

Living as a Citizen of the Kingdom Now

If we have been transferred into God's Kingdom, it means we have a new citizenship, a new allegiance, and a new way of life. We are called to live as citizens of heaven while we are still on earth. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is the great manifesto of the Kingdom, describing the character and ethics of its citizens.

Kingdom Values are Counter-Cultural: The world says "blessed are the powerful," but Jesus says "blessed are the meek." The world values wealth and status, but the Kingdom values humility, mercy, and a hunger for righteousness.
Kingdom Life is About Righteousness, Peace, and Joy: As Paul wrote in Romans 14:17, the Kingdom is not about external rules and regulations, but about an internal reality produced by the Holy Spirit. We seek to live in a way that reflects God's right character, that promotes peace with God and others, and that is filled with a joy that transcends circumstances.
We are Ambassadors of the King: As citizens of the Kingdom, we are also its ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our mission is to represent our King to the world, proclaiming the good news that others, too, can enter His Kingdom through repentance and faith. We demonstrate the reality of the Kingdom through our love for one another and our pursuit of justice and mercy in the world.

The Kingdom "Not Yet": The Future Consummation

As wonderful as the present reality of the Kingdom is, it is only a foretaste of what is to come. We live in an "overlap of the ages." The new age of God's Kingdom has dawned in Christ, but the old age of sin and death has not yet fully passed away. We see evidence of God's rule, but we also see the continued effects of the curse: sickness, injustice, suffering, and death. We live with a "blessed dissatisfaction," enjoying the "now" of the Kingdom while longing for the "not yet." The Bible is clear that there is coming a day when King Jesus will return, and His Kingdom will come in its fullness.

The Return of the King

The Second Coming of Christ will mark the transition from the "now" to the "not yet." His first coming was in humility, as a suffering servant. His second coming will be in power and great glory. He will return not as a lamb to the slaughter, but as the conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah. At His return, "every knee should bow... and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11).

"Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.'" - Revelation 11:15

The Final Judgment

When the King returns, He will execute final judgment. All opposition to His rule will be definitively crushed. Satan and his demons will be cast into the lake of fire, and all who have rejected the King's offer of amnesty will face eternal separation from His glorious presence (Revelation 20). This is a sobering reality, but it is the necessary act of a just and holy King who must finally and forever eradicate evil from His creation.

The Fullness of the Kingdom: The New Heaven and New Earth

The ultimate hope of believers will be realized. This is not a disembodied spiritual existence, but a physical, glorified life in a "new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). The curse of sin will be completely removed.

Glimpses of the Future Kingdom

Revelation 21 and 22 give us a breathtaking vision of this final state:

God's Presence with His People: "Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God" (Revelation 21:3). The perfect, face-to-face communion of Eden will be restored.
No More Suffering: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
A Renewed Creation: There will be a river of life and the tree of life, whose leaves are "for the healing of the nations" (Revelation 22:1-2). All of creation will be liberated from its bondage to decay.
Meaningful Work and Worship: We will "serve him" and "reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 22:3, 5). Our eternal destiny is not one of idleness, but of joyful worship and purposeful service in the administration of God's perfect Kingdom.

This future hope is the ultimate consummation of God's redemptive plan. The Kingdom that began as a tiny seed will have grown into a magnificent, universal reality, and God's will shall finally be done "on earth as it is in heaven."

Conclusion: Living in the Overlap of the Ages

So how does this "now and not yet" theology of the Kingdom affect our lives today? It gives us a balanced and powerful perspective for Christian living.

It gives us purpose and motivation: We are not just waiting for heaven. We are active participants in the Kingdom's advance right now. Every act of love, mercy, justice, and evangelism is a way we bring a foretaste of the future Kingdom into the present. We are co-laborers with God.
It gives us hope in the midst of suffering: When we see the brokenness of the world, when we experience sickness, injustice, or loss, we do not despair. We know that this is not the final chapter. The "not yet" gives us an unshakeable hope that one day all things will be made new. Our present suffering cannot "be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
It keeps us from both arrogance and despair: We are not triumphalistic, expecting to perfect the world on our own. We know that only the returning King can do that. But neither are we pessimistic, retreating from the world in defeat. We know that the Kingdom is already at work, and we can make a real difference as we partner with the King.
It focuses our allegiance: Our ultimate citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. While we are called to be good citizens of our earthly nations, our primary loyalty is to King Jesus. This frees us from making an idol of any political party, nation, or ideology. We are to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

The Kingdom of God is the grand, overarching theme of the entire Bible. It is the story of God reclaiming His creation from the clutches of sin and death. It has come near in Jesus Christ, it is present now in the hearts of His people, and it will one day come in glorious fullness, filling the entire earth with His glory. As citizens of this Kingdom, let us live lives worthy of our King, proclaiming His goodness and eagerly awaiting His triumphant return.