Put the Kingdom of Heaven first and understand the difference between the preaching of the person of Christ and the message of Christ. Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and the restoration of all things. To understand the kingdom message, one must understand that Jesus had two ministries - the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and the ministry of restoring the King. To put the kingdom of God first requires being kingdom of God minded.
This means understanding that Jesus was anointed to restore the kingdom and defeat Satan's rule. This article provides many New Testament Scripture references to the Kingdom of God to help readers become more kingdom minded. Seek ye first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Christ commanded it, but what does it mean?
Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the kingdom and the restoration of all things (Mark 1:15: Acts 1:6). To understand the kingdom message becomes clear when you understand that Jesus had two ministries, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world and the ministry of restoring king. Most teaching about Christ centers around his redeeming blood as the lamb of God. That's important because you can't see or enter the kingdom of God without the redeeming blood of Christ. That's good news, but it's not all the good news because of Christ's role as restoring king.
KINGDOM OF GOD MINDED
Christ and his disciples were kingdom minded. Scripture declares, "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it" (Luke 16:16). When was the last time you heard preaching about the kingdom of God?
To be kingdom minded affects how you see Christ and how you see Christ affects your approach to Christian living. As already said, the Bible declares that Jesus came preaching the gospel of the kingdom. The word gospel means good news. Scripture says,
“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).
There has been much teaching on the person of Christ and not the message of Christ. The message of Christ was the restoration of the kingdom of God. Jesus is the King of kings and the Ruler of rulers (Revelation 19:16). As a disciple of Christ, you are one of those kings and rulers. This means that you are part of a great kingdom restoration (Acts 3:19-21). That "restoration" means this, as it was in the beginning before Adam’s treason against the rule of God, so shall it be in the end. Another Scripture says it like this,
“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10).
SATAN THE GREAT DECEIVER
The Bible describes Satan as the great deceiver.
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:9).
At the birth of Christ, Satan influenced King Herod to kill all the children in Bethlehem two years old and younger. Why the wrath of the great deceiver? Because it was revealed that one was coming who would unseat his evil government and take back the kingdom of God.
This restoration of the kingdom of God was the message Satan had to oppose. It was this good news of God ruling over man that had to be opposed at all cost. This gets us to the point, Christ was anointed to restore the kingdom.
To restore the kingdom meant the overthrowing of Satan’s authority. The message of the kingdom was the defeat of Satan’s rule and the restoration of the rule of Christ through his royal priesthood of kings.
The apostle Peter rightly identified Christ as the Son of God (his person), but Christ focused Peter on the message,
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I also say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:16-18).
The English word church ekklēsia is often defined as those called out ones. However, ekklēsia can also mean government. This makes sense when you understand the difference between the preaching of the person of Christ and the message of Christ. In other words, Jesus declared, “I will build my government (not a white steepled religious church) and the gates of hell (Satan’s government) shall not prevail against it.
PUTTING THE KINGDOM FIRST
Now is the time to think about Christ's instruction. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). To put the kingdom of God first requires you to become kingdom of God minded.
Below are many Scriptures on the kingdom of God. Take a minute to read them. When you get finished ask yourself if you have been kingdom of God minded.
NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES ON THE KINGDOM
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2)
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)
Whosoever, therefore," shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20)
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)
And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 8:11)
But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12)
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 10:7)
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11)
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. (Matthew 11:12)
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (Matthew 12:25)
And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? (Matthew 12:26)
But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come unto you. (Matthew 12:28)
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (Matthew 13:11)
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. (Matthew 13:19)
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: (Matthew 13:24)
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: (Matthew 13:31)
Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Matthew 13:33)
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; (Matthew 13:38)
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; (Matthew 13:41)
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:43)
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44)
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: (Matthew 13:45)
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: (Matthew 13:47)
Then said he unto them. Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. (Matthew 13:52)
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19)
Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Matthew 16:28)
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 18:1)
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)
Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4)
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. (Matthew 18:23)
For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. (Matthew 19:12)
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14)
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:23)
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24)
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. (Matthew 20:1)
And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. (Matthew 20:21)
Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. (Matthew 21:31)
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matthew 21:43)
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, (Matthew 22:2)
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. (Matthew 23:13)
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7)
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1)
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. (Matthew 25:14)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (Matthew 25:34)
But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. (Matthew 26:29)
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (Mark 1:14)
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:15)
And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (Mark 3:24)
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: (Mark 4:11)
And he said, So is the kingdom of God as if a man should cast seed into the ground; (Mark 4:26)
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? (Mark 4:30)
And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. (Mark 6:23)
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. (Mark 9:1)
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: (Mark 9:47)
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:14)
Verily I say unto you; Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (Mark 10:15)
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (Mark 10:23)
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! (Mark 10:24)
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:25)
Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. (Mark 11:10)
And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. (Mark 12:34)
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)
Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. (Mark 14:25)
Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counselor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43)
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom, there shall be no end. (Luke 1:33)
And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. (Luke 4:43)
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed, be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. (Luke 7:28)
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, (Luke 8:1)
And he said, Unto you, it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. (Luke 8:10)
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:2)
And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that needed healing. (Luke 9:11)
But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:27)
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:60)
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luke 10:9)
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (Luke 10:11)
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. (Luke 11:2)
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falleth. (Luke 11:17)
If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. (Luke 11:18)
But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. (Luke 11:20)
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Luke 12:31)
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)
Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? And whereunto shall I resemble it? (Luke 13:18)
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? (Luke 13:20)
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (Luke 13:28)
And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:29)
And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him; Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. (Luke 14:15)
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (Luke 16:16)
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (Luke 17:20)
Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21)
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:16)
Verily I say unto you; Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. (Luke 18:17)
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (Luke 18:24)
For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:25)
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, (Luke 18:29)
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. (Luke 19:11)
He said. Therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. (Luke 19:12)
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. (Luke 19:15)
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: (Luke 21:10)
So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (Luke 21:31)
For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. (Luke 22:16)
For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. (Luke 22:18)
And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; (Luke 22:29)
That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:30)
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (Luke 23:42)
(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. (Luke 23:51)
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servant's fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: (Acts 1:3)
When they, therefore, were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6)
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Acts 8:12)
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. (Acts 14:22)
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 19:8)
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. (Acts 20:25)
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. (Acts 28:23)
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. (Acts 28:31)
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17)
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10)
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:24)
Now, this I say, brethren, that flesh, and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (1 Corinthians 15:50)
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21)
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5:5)
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13)
And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. (Colossians 4:11)
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
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: (2 Thessalonians 1:5)
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 4:1)
And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:18)
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. (Hebrews 1:8)
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (Hebrews 12:28)
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5)
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:11)
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9)
And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10)
And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast, and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, (Revelation 16:10)
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. (Revelation 17:12)
For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (Revelation 17:17)
(c) Apostle Jonas Clark
www.jonasclark.com