Three Aspects of the Kingdom

In his word, the Lord teaches us three aspects of his kingdom: to see, to enter and to inherit. These three aspects are related to the life of the Christian, from his new birth to his glorification.

John 3 teaches us two aspects, when he says: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God ... Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God". This new birth was given when Christ was lifted up from the earth on that cross, just as the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness (Jn. 3:14). God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).

We died with Christ in his body on that cross, and were born again by resurrection to a living hope, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and unfading (1 Pet. 1:3-4). This new birth is consummated in Christ, and it is now necessary to enter the kingdom, to be born of water and of the Spirit. When we are born of the Spirit, we are included in his Body, of which Christ is the head. This kingdom has no outward appearance, as Jesus said; nevertheless, he is among us (Lk. 17:21).

This kingdom has already arrived for those who are born of water, that is, of the Word (James 1:18, 1 Pet. 1:23) and of the Spirit. It is not enough to see the kingdom, it is also necessary to enter it, to be born of the Spirit. This kingdom is his church, where the Lord already rules, and through his blood he forgave us our sins and made us kings and priests (Rev. 1:5-6).

But there is a third aspect of the kingdom, which is to inherit: "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). The new birth in Christ is an exclusive work of God. No one did anything to be born again, it is a birth from above, by grace: "Even when we were dead in trespasses, he made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" (Eph. 2:5).

To see the kingdom is by grace; to enter the kingdom is by faith. Grace is a gift of God and it is through faith that we attain it (Eph. 2:8). To inherit the kingdom is, as Acts 14:22 teaches, by abiding in faith. "Wherefore, brethren, the more earnestly give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for in doing these things ye shall never fall. For thereby shall be granted unto you a large and generous entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:10-11). If you saw the kingdom, enter it now, by faith. If you have already entered, then let us exhort one another to persevere in the faith.

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