The Kingdom of Which World?
In John 18 Jesus tells Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world (lit. ‘from here'). If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."
Some will use this verse to claim that Jesus meant his Kingdom was really a "spiritual kingdom." However, that is not what other Scriptures define, for the Kingdom was to be a literal kingdom in Israel, with Jesus ruling Judah and Israel - a real, geo-political kingdom.
But we must also agree with what Jesus told Pilate. In fact, His kingdom was not of the "Roman World" that was Pilate's concern (the Roman realm). It was also not of the 20th Century world, for He has not yet come to Israel. It could be of the 21st Century world or later, whenever Jesus returns. I pray it will be quickly.
This understanding is more consistent with the total description of Scripture.
However, this analysis is too simple to agree with John's major theme of the Deity of Jesus. So we need to add to it from another of John's writings that also stresses His Deity.
In the book of Revelation, after Jesus' letters to the churches, the writings focus on the time of the future Great Tribulation of Israel, then eventually on the Kingdom, the Great White Throne Judgment, and finally Eternity itself. These events are also clearly future. Revelation chapter 11 looks late into the Tribulation, to the 7th Trumpet judgment that contains the 7 bowl judgments. At that time, after the "two witnesses" in Jerusalem are resurrected and lifted bodily into heaven, we see the 7th trumpet sound, and in verse 15 loud voices in heaven say, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."
This confirms that His promised kingdom was not of this world in Roman times, but it will be of this world in the future.
But this alone is not enough to say how I respond to Him now, for I live in these times. The Pharisees made the mistake (among others) of seeing the promised Kingdom only in far future terms, so they were not ready to confront Him then. I can take a scholarly look and say His Kingdom is future, but I also better know how to respond to Him today.
Scripture tells us that too. We respond to Him as Savior, then understand He is Master and Lord, as He controls our destiny, and has already granted it in Salvation. We owe Him everything. That's the way we see Him today.
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