Hopefully we can discuss what it means to inherit the kingdom of God. But firstly, we should discuss what the Kingdom of God is.
It should be noted that the topic of the Kingdom of God is a very large and sometimes complex topic. Between His resurrection and ascension, Jesus spent 40 days teaching His disciples about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3), so it is a very important matter.
The most central aspect of the Bible or God's purpose is not our personal salvation. The whole reason Jesus came to die for us was not just so we can go to Heaven.
Jesus came in, with and for the Kingdom of God.
- The Kingdom of God is the reason why Jesus told people they had to repent (Matt 3:2).
- The Kingdom of God underpinned and defined Jesus' whole ministry, life, and purpose.
- Apart from the person of Christ Himself, the Kingdom of God is the most central aspect of the Bible. Everything from salvation and "where we go when we die", to the place of works in the believers life is tied to the kingdom of God.
With the Kingdom of God in mind, we can better define what salvation is all about. Salvation is not just about being saved from torment and going to a nice place called Heaven. Salvation is to be saved out of satan's kingdom (of darkness) and into God's kingdom (of light) (1 Peter 2:9).
What is our motive in preaching the Gospel?
I believe it should be the Kingdom of God. Often it is thought that we should preach the Gospel because God loves sinners, and we don't want to see them burning forever in a nasty place called Hell. This view is too narrow and individualistic. Our motivation should also be to bring them out of the rule, reign and authority of satan, and into the rule, reign and authority of God. The Kingdom of God is more encompassing than mere destruction from hell. It includes salvation from hell, but also deliverance and healing from many other things, and the promise of holding a position of leadership and authority in God's kingdom in the future when Christians shall judge the world, even the angels (1 Cor 6:2-3). Our job as disciple-makers is not just to save people from hellfire, but also to make them whole and perfect in body, soul and spirit, and make them leaders in the kingdom of God. In this way, we are not saving sinners for their sake or our sake alone, but for God's sake and for the sake of His kingdom. We are also saving sinners because God wants a corporate body on the Earth, the Church.
What is the Kingdom of God? Basically it is His rule, reign and authority. It is the place or realm where God's will is done.
Where is the Kingdom of God? Simply, it is wherever the King is. More specifically, 5 or 6 realms R1 to R6:
- R1) It is and has always been, in Heaven with the angels.
- R2) It is in the hearts (spirits) of every believer -where the Spirit dwells (and when our soul is transformed, it is in our thoughts, will, emotions, as well).
- R3) It was, on Earth with ancient Israel.
- R4) It has been, since Christ, on the Earth ruling wherever the Church is.
- R5) It will be, in future, on Earth ruling over the whole world, at the 1000 year reign of Christ.
- R6) It will be, in future, on Earth in the New Jerusalem.
The Kingdom of God has many aspects - physical, spiritual, visible, invisible, earthly, heavenly, private and corporate.
In my mind:
R1 is spiritual, invisible and heavenly.
R2 is spiritual, invisible and earthly and private.
R3 is physical, spiritual, visible, invisible, earthly and corporate.
R4 is physical, spiritual, visible, invisible, earthly and corporate.
R5 is physical, spiritual, visible, invisible, earthly and corporate.
Ditto for R6.
Which realms apply to the Christian?
Most Christians think they enter R1 when they die but strictly speaking, it is the New Jerusalem, R6 we enter, not R1.
We enter R2 by faith, by being "born again". Every believer has this experience.
We cannot enter R3 unless we are Old testament Israelites.
Every believer is in R4, although not every believer is living in R4 practically (i.e. those that don't go to church).
Whether we enter R5 or not depends upon our faithfulness. I see R5 as a reward, but others see R5 as one and the same as salvation.
Everyone gets to enter R6, after the period of R5 has ended.
So "Kingdom of God" in scripture can mean different things depending upon which realm (R1 to R6) it is talking about.
For example:
Acts 14:22 says, "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."
This verse appears to say that we can't be saved (R2) unless we experience tribulation. But I believe this is really about R5 not R2. On the one hand we have entered the kingdom of God (R2), on the other hand, we are yet to enter the kingdom of God (R5). So we can see that context and meaning of the verse makes all the difference.
Also we must be without sin to inherit the kingdom of God:
Ephesians 5:3-5: "But fornication and all uncleanness or unbridled greedy lust, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; and filthiness and foolish talking or coarse jesting, which are not becoming, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, knowing that every fornicator or unclean person or person of unbridled greedy lust, who is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
We must be counted worthy of the kingdom:
2 Thessalonians 1:5 says, "Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer."
What does it mean to inherit the Kingdom?
Let us assume that a person is as believer in Christ and is already saved from hellfire.
Let's think about the meaning of inherit. If we inherit something from a relative, it is something in addition to what we already have. It is something that gives us enjoyment. It is often given as a reward - parents of disobedience children normally don't pass their inheritance onto them.
To inherit the kingdom basically means to hold a position of authority in the kingdom and to experience the enjoyment of that kingdom. This is proved by Matt 25:21 - the faithful servant was placed in a position of authority, and also enabled to share in the Master's happiness. To dwell in the kingdom means to live with a righteousness exceeding the Pharisees, and the joy and peace which is resulting from that righteousness. Rom 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
To inherit the kingdom means to partake of, rule in, and enjoy Christ's 1000 year rule and reign of the Earth. Christians are destined to rule with Him (Rev 20:6, 2 Tim 2:12).
Christ will come to inherit the throne of David and restore the Jewish nation. A wonderful time of righteousness, peace, enjoyment and satisfaction. Others may disagree, but I believe Christians who do not inherit God's kingdom, due to their wickedness, etc, will miss out on all these things. I believe they spend time in outer darkness. But I believe they will still be saved from eternal destruction and dwell in R6 perpetually.
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