Is the Kingdom of Christ a Global Military Dominion or a Spiritual Kingdom?

When navigating through the Bible, particularly the Book of Daniel, one might be tempted to believe that the Kingdom of Christ would be a mighty, global military empire capable of ruling over the entire world (Daniel 2:34-35, 44). However, a closer examination of scripture reveals a different picture. According to God's Kingdom, as referenced in Daniel 2:44, the Kingdom will cover the whole earth, but the other structures mentioned in the prophecy eventually become dust.

The Apex of the Kingdom of Christ

In the book of Revelation, the true nature of God's Kingdom is highlighted in Revelation 5:9-10. Here, the throne of Christ is described as worthy to take the scroll and its seals because He was slaughtered for the redemption of humanity. From His sacrifice, God bought people from every tribe, language, people, and nation, making them a kingdom and priests to rule the earth. This picture paints a distinctly non-military, spiritual and inclusive picture of God's Kingdom.

The Fallen Kingdom of Israel and the Coming Kingdom

When considering the Kingdom of God/Heaven, it's important to understand that this concept does not always align with a global, temporal dominion. Initially, the Kingdom as mentioned in Daniel 2:44 did signify a fallen kingdom, specifically Israel. The covenant nation of Israel, chosen by God, represents the promised land and people. God's promise to Abraham of a great nation and the land of Canaan (now Israel) was the foundation of the Kingdom before its fall.

During the prophetic period of Daniel, Israel did not exist as a geopolitical entity, but rather as a virtual and spiritual kingdom existing in the hearts and minds of those who yearned for its restoration. Jesus, who proclaimed the Gospel of the coming Kingdom, was addressing this longing for the resurrection of the geopolitical kingdom of Israel. Essentially, the Kingdom had become invisible, only existing in the hearts of faithful believers.

Rome, Strategy, and The Corps of Christ

The period between the fall of the Kingdom of Israel and the time when Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom was shadowed by the geopolitical dominance of Rome. This period was characterized by strategic trickery and deception. Rome, perceiving the threat to its reign from the emerging Corps of Christ, killed Jesus to quell the uprising and cover up the true purpose behind his cause.

Rome's cunning ploy involved co-opting Herod as the king, convincing the Jewish people that this was their awaited Messiah. However, the people's backs slipping away made the Corps of Christ vulnerable. Despite Jesus' efforts to bring them back, the focus shifted towards converting Gentiles to bolster the Corps of Christ. The Kingdom of Israel, non-existent as a temporal entity, still captivated the hope of eternal possession for Abraham's descendants and all nations.

Fulfilling the Promise

The prophecy of an everlasting possession (a great nation that inherits the land from the Euphrates to the Nile and brings peace to all nations) is still to be fulfilled. While the geopolitical Kingdom of Israel is non-existent today, the fulfillment is exploring through the spiritual growth and eventual resurrection of the nation. This promise stands as a beacon of hope, suggesting that the Kingdom of Christ is not just a global military empire, but a spiritual kingdom that will eventually bring eternal peace and good will to earth.