Where Is the Kingdom of God? In Heaven or On Earth?
Question: The Lord has promised to us, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2–3). We know that the Lord has prepared a place for us in heaven. When He’s back directly to the kingdom of heaven, we’ll go. So if the Lord has returned, I truly wonder why we are still here and not in heaven.
Answer: The Lord has gone to prepare a place for believers; that’s true. But is this place on earth or in heaven? No one knows for certain. In our imaginations, the kingdom of heaven should be far off in heaven. But is this how it really is? Let’s see what Jesus has said about it. “Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9–10). So this tells us the Lord says His kingdom is on earth, not in heaven. God’s will will be done on earth just as it is in heaven. Not to mention, it’s also in Revelation 21:2–3, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven…. Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” And in Revelation 11:15, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” The prophecies say, “the tabernacle of God is with men.” “… new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven.” “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ.”
The proof is clear that God will establish His kingdom on earth, and live with mankind here on earth. So the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of Christ forever. Imagination tells us that God’s kingdom is in heaven far away, and that when He comes, we’ll be raptured up there. But if that’s the case, wouldn’t God’s words be in vain? (Yes.) In fact, the final result of God’s management plan is to save man and make His kingdom here on earth. God does the work of judging and purifying man, just to make a group of overcomers on earth in the last days. Those overcomers here who are perfected by God are those who practice His word and follow His way on earth. They are the people of God’s kingdom. When this group of overcomers is made, then God’s will will be done here on earth. And when the kingdom of Christ is finally realized on earth, then God will gain glory. These prophecies in Revelation are what God will accomplish. Isn’t this a fact we can all agree with? What kind of place has the Lord Jesus prepared for us? He has predestined that we are born in the last days, and welcome His coming on earth to accept His purification to be made overcomers and carry out His will, so that the kingdoms of this world would be the kingdoms of Christ. This is surely God’s will. God is here on earth, but men still insist on heaven. If we were taken up into the midair, how would we survive without food or housing? That’s man’s imagination and notion.
From: Grow in Christ
