The Kingdom of God is Inaugurated, But Not Consummated
- J.D. King
- Jun 9
- 4 min read
A compelling biblical case can be made for the present reality of the Kingdom of God—that it was inaugurated at the first coming of Christ and is actively advancing in the world today.
Far from being a postponed or purely future reality, the Kingdom has already broken into human history through Jesus and continues to expand through his Spirit and Church.
The Gospel of Mark offers a foundational declaration of this truth:
“After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’” (Mark 1:14–15).
This passage is often softened in English translations, but the Greek is more forceful and decisive. “The time has been fulfilled” (peplērōtai ho kairos) signals that the long-awaited moment of divine intervention has arrived. “The Kingdom of God has drawn near” (ēngiken hē basileia tou theou) proclaims the nearness not as a distant hope, but as a present reality. In Jesus, the Kingdom has come—breaking in with power and authority.
Jesus affirms this active arrival of the Kingdom in several other key passages. In Matthew 11:12, He declares:
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it” (NIV 1984).
This vivid statement highlights the dynamic nature of the Kingdom’s coming. It is not passive or delayed; it is surging forward with urgency and intensity. Those who grasp its value respond with spiritual tenacity—laying hold of it with holy desperation and boldness.
The ministry of deliverance provides further confirmation that the Kingdom is already present and active. Jesus states:
“But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matthew 12:28; cf. Luke 11:20).
Here, Jesus links the casting out of demons to the manifest reign of God. Deliverance is not merely a sign of divine power—it is concrete evidence that the dominion of God is displacing the powers of darkness. The Kingdom is not only near; it is breaking in and driving back the realm of Satan.
When questioned by the Pharisees about the timing of the Kingdom, Jesus responds:
“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst” (Luke 17:20–21).
This passage is sometimes mistranslated as “within you,” which would be an odd statement directed at hostile religious leaders. The better rendering is “in your midst,” affirming that the Kingdom had already arrived—because the King Himself was standing before them.
The Apostle Paul also affirms the present reality of Christ’s reign. In 1 Corinthians 15, he writes:
“For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:25–26).
Christ is not waiting to reign—he is reigning now. His kingship is currently unfolding as he subdues his enemies one by one, culminating in the ultimate defeat of death.
The author of Hebrews echoes this same truth, stating that Christ has already been:
“Appointed heir of all things” (Hebrews 1:2),and is presently “seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3).
Jesus is not waiting to be enthroned—he is enthroned now. His position at the Father’s right hand signifies his active rule and authority over all creation.
Even the book of Revelation, often interpreted as wholly future, speaks with remarkable immediacy. In Revelation 11:15, the heavenly proclamation declares:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”
While this verse points toward the consummation of the Kingdom, it echoes a present reality already unfolding. The prologue of Revelation reminds us:
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place… for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:1, 3)
John did not speak of a distant millennium—he addressed first-century believers, talking to them about real-time events being inaugurated in their generation.
The Kingdom of God has not been postponed. It is not sitting dormant, waiting for a future age to begin. According to Jesus and the New Testament authors, the Kingdom has already arrived with the first coming of Christ. It is active, powerful, and pressing forward. Deliverance, healing, the proclamation of the gospel, and the transformation of human hearts all testify that heaven’s reign is advancing on earth.
The King is reigning—and the Church is his witness. We live not in a holding pattern but in the very age of the Kingdom’s advance. The question is not whether the Kingdom is here, but whether we will respond to it with the boldness, urgency, and faith it demands.
Steve Gray and I wrote a book—"Mighty Like Gideon"—that's being published through Chosen Books. Check it out here.
Interesting as always. Just read “The Overcomers” by Matt Chandler. A good read even if I may not have agreed 100%. Kind of like you and me. Total respect for all your viewpoints. I think you would enjoy the book.