Last Updated on January 10, 2026 10:55 AM by herald
4. Kingdom Set Up and Ruling
The next scripture is found in Matthew Chapter 4 verse 17. We have met it before. The situation is after Jesus has been baptized by John the Baptist and after being tempted by the devil. The verse reads as follows:
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
Ladies and gentlemen, that was the prophecy of Daniel 2:44 being fulfilled! The prophecy of the setup of the Kingdom of God on the earth! It was the same message being preached by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:2.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Some translations render the expression “is at hand” as “is near you”. But as Daniel had prophesied, the kingdom of God on earth would be set up in, “the days of those four kings”. Jesus was born in the fourth kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the Roman Empire!
Every time we repeat the Lord’s prayer, we ask for God’s kingdom to come. But as we now know, even as Jesus was teaching his disciples this prayer, he was setting up the Kingdom of God on earth as Daniel had prophesied!
But the kingdom has not only been set up; it is actually ruling! How so? The message the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus, “Peace on earth, goodwill to men”, is only possible through the rule of God’s Kingdom on earth.
But for God’s kingdom to rule on earth, the King must first rule the hearts of those who are in the Kingdom of God.
That is why to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God, you have to receive Jesus not only as Saviour but also as Lord as stated in Romans 10:9. This is the fundamental point on which the gospel should be presented to unbelievers.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
If Jesus cannot be your Lord, you cannot have any part in his kingdom. According to Strong’s Bible Lexicon, the word “Lord” used here comes from the Greek “kyrion” which means “supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master”. Jesus acknowledges that He is our Lord and Master (See John 13:13). Correspondingly, as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, we must be his willing subjects.
Is it that one of the reasons why we have so many problems in the church is because some people have accepted Jesus as Saviour but not a Lord? Just asking!
Interestingly, the modern English word “lord” is derived from Old English hlaford which literally means “one who guards the loaves (or bread)” (Source). It was the basic responsibility of ancient kings or lords to provide food (bread) for his subjects or citizens! Now, why does that sound so familiar? See John 6:35, 48, 51 and Matthew 6: 24-34.
When we receive Jesus as Saviour and Lord we are automatically given citizenship in the kingdom of heaven.
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:13
This verse underscores the principle that Jesus came to set up a kingdom and not a religion! This principle is at the centre of the New Covenant God made with Israel, the descendants of Abraham, in Jeremiah 31: 33
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31: 33 NIV
Those who have accepted Christ as Saviour and Lord are heirs of this promise because as Paul explained in the book of Galatians:
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal 3: 28 -29, NIV
Looked at another way, we have become citizens of the Kingdom of God by birth – a spiritual birth– a concept that Nicodemus could not quite grasp in John chapter 3. Paul emphasizes this citizenship:
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household. Ephesians 2: 18-19
The inescapable conclusion we can draw then is that the Kingdom of God has already started ruling on earth in the hearts and minds of true believers! This is the spiritual kingdom.
But what about the physical kingdom and Jesus’ actual rule on earth from the throne of David? Good question! Let’s explain.
