What Is the Kingdom of God? / The Bible's Answer

God's Kingdom is a real government established by Jehovah God.  "The Kingdom of God" is also called "the Kingdom of heaven" in the Bible, since it rules from  heaven.  (Mark 1:14, 15; Matthew 4:17, King James Version) It shares many attributes of human governments, yet it is superior to them in every way.

* Rulers.  God has appointed  Jesus Christ as King of the Kingdom and has given him more authority than any human ruler could ever have.  (Matthew 28:18) Jesus uses this power only for good, since he has already proved to be a reliable and compassionate Leader. (Matthew 4:23;  Mark 1:40, 41; 6:31-34; Luke 7:11-17) Under God's direction, Jesus has selected persons from all nations who will "rule as kings over the earth" with him in heaven. - REVELATION 5:9, 10.

* Duration. Unlike human governments, which come and go, God's Kingdom "will never be brought to ruin." - DANIEL 2:44.

* Subjects.  Anyone who does what God requires can be a subject of God's Kingdom, without regard for ancestry or birthplace. - ACTS 10:34, 35. 

* Laws. The laws (or commandments) of God's Kingdom do more than just prohibit wrong behavior. They raise the moral character of it subjects. For example, the Bible says: "You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole mind, and your whole soul.'  This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this, ' You must love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-39) Love of God and neighbors moves subjects of the Kingdom to act in the best interests of others.

* Education.  While God's Kingdom set high standards for it subjects, it also teaches people how to meet those standards. - ISAIAH 48:17, 18. 

* Mission.  The Kingdom of God doesn't enrich its rulers at the expense of it subjects. Instead, it will accomplish God's will, including the promise that those who love him will live forever on a paradise earth. - ISAIAH 35:1, 5, 6; MATTHEW 21:1-4.

Next time: What Are "the Keys of the Kingdom? /The Bible's Answer

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