Christ’s Peaceable Kingdom on Earth
Jesus established His kingdom when He was on earth. We who have entered it have found it to be a place of deep pleasure and lasting satisfaction. It is a peaceful kingdom. In it we do not make instruments of destruction, neither do we learn war any more (Isaiah 2:4). Earth has had many kingdoms in the past, but they have risen with the strength of their kings and warriors, and they have fallen with their weakness.
Christ, our king, is immortal and almighty, so His kingdom is endless and conquers all. He describes himself in the book of Revelation. "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore'' (Revelation 1:18). After He had resurrected from the dead He said to His followers, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18).
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a dream he could not remember. Daniel, the Hebrew prophet, told him both the dream and its interpretation. In his dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw a large statue made of various materials. Its head was of gold, its arms and breast silver, its belly and thighs brass, its legs were of solid iron, but its feet were of iron mixed with clay. As Nebuchadnezzar gazed upon this sight, an amazing thing happened. "Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. 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" (Daniel 2:34-35, 44).
The stone cut out without hands is Christ. He is the founder of the eternal kingdom that is above all others. How does one enter this kingdom? There is only one way and that is to be born into it by the new birth. Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Those who by faith surrender their will to God and believe in Jesus Christ are born again and become citizens of the eternal kingdom of Christ. This opens the door for baptism into the true church of God, "which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15). "A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14). This church dwells securely within the kingdom of Christ on earth. The church may be identified by its pure doctrine and practice of God's Word.
The new birth not only makes us citizens of the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ, but it also gives spiritual life. Those who have new life in Christ have power to conquer sin. They are no longer dominated by the old sinful nature with its lusts and desires. Since they have a higher allegiance, they will not take part in earthly governments, although they obey secular laws as much as their loyalty to God allows. They are in the world, but not of the world. Even though they live in this world and build houses and have businesses and families, they are always mindful of their position in the eternal kingdom (Jeremiah 29:4-7).
Complete text of: Christ’s Peaceable Kingdom on Earth
The kingdom of Jesus Christ is not confined by political boundaries. In every nation those who are born again are accepted into it and accept each other. They will not fight for any earthly kingdom. "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight...but now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). In fact, they will do no violence at all, since their King desires them to live peaceably with all men. Jesus taught nonresistance. "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39).
The kingdom of Christ is spoken of in Revelation chapter 20. Since this kingdom is above all others, Satan is unable to conquer it. He is bound, unable to harm the faithful ones in the heavenly kingdom. They live and reign with Christ during the time that the kingdom is upon earth, designated by the figurative 1000 years. The reign of Christ spans the time between the beginning of the spiritual kingdom and the judgment at the end of time. It is a reign of grace in the believer's life which gives power over sin. The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians of Ephesus that those in the kingdom were made to "sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). In our day we still enjoy this fellowship and are a part of this beautiful kingdom. We who were once bound by the shackles of sin are now "more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). A life of victory over the world and its sins and lusts will culminate in eternal victory over death.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised those who had been with Him that He would return. He would take them to be with Him in the many mansions that He had gone to prepare. Those who have remained outside His kingdom here below will meet Him as a judge. Each person who is living or has ever lived upon earth will give an account of his life to the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords. Those whose names are not found in the book of His kingdom will be cast into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:15).
After the judgment the great marriage of the Lamb will take place. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, sacrificed for the sins of the world. He foresaw the joy that He would share with the ones whom He had redeemed and was willing to endure the shame of the sacrificial death on the cross. At the end of the time of the kingdom on earth, He will claim His Bride, the body made up of the members of His kingdom. They will all go into the great marriage feast and live with Him forever.
You are invited to be born again and enter the peaceful kingdom. Jesus died for you and is waiting to receive you and give you the peace your soul longs for. Repent and give your life to Him without reserve and become a part of His kingdom. Your life here below will be happy, and, after this earthly life has ended, you will be able to enjoy an eternity of bliss and peace.
