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Kingdom of God
is the Local Church

Lord willing, we will accomplish three objectives:

(All verses taken from the King James Version of God's Word. Added emphasis is mine.)

The term "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" may be used interchangeably. For example:

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:14-15

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mat 4:17

There are five distinct "kingdoms of God" used in Scripture:

Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 1 Chr 29:11-12

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. Psa 47:7

Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? 8. And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods. 2 Chr 13:5, 8
Paul is speaking to the saints: But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Eph 2:4-6
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Col 1:13

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Mat 25:34

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:42-43

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Tim 4:18

Daniel prophesied that a kingdom would be set up in the days of Christ and that it would endure:

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Dan 2:44

Let us look a the characteristics of Daniel's prophesied kingdom. The New Testament Church fits the old testament prophecy:

Christ speaking, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; . . . " Mat 16:18

". . . and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Mat 16:18

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor 6:16-18

Christ speaking to the church in Thyatira, "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." Rev 2:26-27

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Eph 3:20-21

John the Baptist and Jesus came, as Daniel prophesied, "in the days of these kings", announcing that the kingdom of Heaven was at hand. The iron kingdom of Daniel 2:40-44 is speaking of the Roman empire which was reigning at the time of John.

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mat 3:1-2
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mat 4:17

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:14-15

But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. Luke 11:20

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.  Luke 3:1-2

The New Testament local church is the institution we find from the days of John the Baptist and Jesus that we did not find before. Since this kingdom was "at hand", men were urged to repent, believe, and be baptized. Those that repented, believed, had faith, and got baptized entered into the kingdom of God:

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. Luke 16:16

Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.  Mat 21:31-32

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:28-30

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.  Acts 14:22-23

Only those that repented of their sins, believed in Jesus Christ, had faith toward God, and were baptized, entered into the church:

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. . . . 46. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.  Acts 2:38-41, 46-47

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  Acts 8:12

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Acts 18:8-11

The teaching of scripture is that repentance, belief, and baptism were the prerequisites to enter into Kingdom of God, that is the local church. Also notice that in Luke 16:16 that "every man presseth into it", present tense. In other words they were not dying and going to heaven but rather entering in the local churches at that present time. And again, in Mat 21:31-32 the publicans and harlots "go into the kingdom" (present tense) before the wicked Pharisees.

Now let us look at another aspect of the kingdom of God, the local church. Examine these verses. Notice that Jesus connects the concept of the church in verse 18 with the concept of the kingdom of heaven in verse 19 by the word "and"

Jesus speaking: "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Mat 16:18-19

The church is built upon the rock, Jesus Christ, the son of God:

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 1 Cor 3:9-12

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 1 Pet 2:4-8

Peter, whose name means rock or stone, is a part of the foundation of the church, but he is only thus as he is joined to Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone:

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: Eph 2:19-21

Another parallel example of the kingdom of God being the local Church is where the Lord Jesus Christ appointed to His disciples a kingdom in which they may eat and drink at his table:

And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:29-30

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 1 Cor 10:20-21

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. 1 Cor 1:17-34

We are also told that we "reign as kings" in church service:

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 8. Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 1 Cor 4:7-8

Therefore, Christ's kingdom is Christ's church where his table is.

Theologians and layman throughout the centuries have always had a stumbling block of "working" to get to heaven. Many believe the error that if you "do" good things you earn a right to go to heaven. Also if you do "bad" things you must be punished for these in hell. As a result, they incorrectly conclude that good works get you into heaven and bad works can keep you from getting into heaven. Understanding that the local church is the kingdom of God, solves this dilemma. Since we know that works will not get you into paradise, works will gain and keep you in the Kingdom of God, the local church, on this earth!

The only way that you will get to paradise, is if Jesus shed his blood for you, and saved you by his grace and mercy:

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Mat 1:21

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) Rom 9:7-11

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:5  

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Eph 2:1-3

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph 2:8-13

Evil works result in your being: "taken away", "not to keep company", "shall not inherit", "put away", "withdrawn from", "turned away", etc. from Kingdom of God, the local church:

For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? 1 Cor 4:20-21

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 1 Cor 5:1-2

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Cor 5:5

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 1 Cor 5:9-13

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:9-11  

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21

Also look up these verses: 1 Tim 6:2-5, 2 Tim 3:1-5, Eph 5:3-8

Summary

Christian reader, take this light of knowledge and re-read the Gospels of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Lord willing, you will find that the majority of the time you see "kingdom of God" or "kingdom of heaven", HE is referring to the local church. Christ changed the way God is to be worshipped. This is the only "reformation" of the church and his worship service in HIS-story.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.  John 4:21-24

Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb 9:10-12

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psa 100:5

AMEN

The Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God, the local Church
Daniel prophesied of a kingdom to come. Dan 2:44 John and Jesus prophesied that a kingdom was near (at hand), Mat 3:1-2, 4:17, Mark 1:14-15
"shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom," Christ speaking, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;. . . " Mat 16:18
"it shall never be destroyed," ". . .and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Mat 16:18
"it shall not be left to other people," "Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:" Lev 20:24-26, 2 Cor 6:16-18, 1 Pet 2:9-10
"it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms," "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." Rev 2:26-27
"It shall stand forever." "Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." Eph 3:20-21
If you believe Jesus, repent, get baptized, then you are added to the kingdom of God. Luke 16:16 If you believe Jesus, repented, get baptized, you are added to the local Church.  Luke 7:28-30 Acts 2:38-41, 46-47, 18:8-11
Jesus appointed a kingdom in which his disciples would eat and drink at the Lord's table. Luke 22:29-30, 1 Cor 4:7-8 The church has a table that the disciples eat and drink, the communion table. 1 Cor 10:20-21, 11:17-34
People by their good works "pressed" into the kingdom of God.
Luke 16:16, Mat 21:31-32		 Your good works gain you an entrance into the local church. Acts 2:38-41, 46-47, 18:8-11
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit  the kingdom of God? 1 Cor 6:9 Your bad works get you removed from the local church. 1 Cor 6:9-11, Gal 5:19-21, Eph 5:3-8, Tim 6:2-5, 2 Tim 3:1-5

Definitions

(These definitions are from the American Heritage Dictionary)

kingdom n. 1. A political or territorial unit ruled by a sovereign. 2.a. The eternal spiritual sovereignty of God or Christ. b. The realm of this sovereignty. 3. A realm or sphere in which one thing is dominant: the kingdom of the imagination. 4. One of the three main divisions (animal, vegetable, and mineral) into which natural organisms and objects are classified. 5. The highest taxonomic classification into which organisms are grouped, based on fundamental similarities and common ancestry.

local adj. 1.a. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular place: a local custom; the local slang. b. Of or relating to a city, town, or district rather than a larger area: state and local government. 2. Not broad or general; not widespread: local outbreaks of flu. 3. Medicine. Of or affecting a specific part of the body: a local infection. 4. Making all possible or scheduled stops on a route; not express: a local train.

church n. 1. A building for public, especially Christian worship. 2. Often Church a. The company of all Christians regarded as a mystic spiritual body. b. A specified Christian denomination: the Presbyterian Church. c. A congregation. 3. Public divine worship in a church; a religious service: goes to church at Christmas and Easter. 4. The clerical profession; clergy. 5. Ecclesiastical power as distinguished from the secular: the separation of church and state.

presses tr. 1. To exert steady weight or force against; bear down on. 2.a. To squeeze the juice or other contents from. b. To extract (juice, for example) by squeezing or compressing. 3.a. To reshape or make compact by applying steady force; compress. b. To iron (clothing, for example). 4. To clasp in fondness or politeness. 5. To try to influence, as by insistent arguments; importune or entreat. 6. To urge or force to action; impel. 7. To place in trying or distressing circumstances; harass or oppress. See Synonyms at urge. 8. To move (keys on a computer keyboard, for example) by applying pressure. 9. To lay stress on; emphasize. 10. To advance or carry on vigorously: "Far from backing down, he pressed the attack" (Justin Kaplan). 11. To put forward importunately or insistently. 12. To make (a phonograph record or videodisk) from a mold or matrix. 13. Sports. To lift (a weight) to a position above the head without moving the legs.

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