What is the current state of the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of God is coming.
The Kingdom of God has come.
The Kingdom of God will not come.
The Kingdom of God has come and gone.
The Kingdom of God has come, is come, and is coming.

3 answers

The concept of the Kingdom of God is rich and multifaceted, varying across different theological traditions and interpretations. Here’s a brief overview of how the statements you provided might be understood in various contexts:

  1. The Kingdom of God is coming: This perspective emphasizes the future fulfillment of God's reign, often associated with eschatological events and the hope for a future restoration and perfection of creation.

  2. The Kingdom of God has come: This view reflects the belief that Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom through His ministry, death, and resurrection. Many Christians believe that the Kingdom is already present in the world through the church and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

  3. The Kingdom of God will not come: This statement might be associated with a more secular or non-theistic perspective, viewing the idea of a divine kingdom as obsolete or metaphorical.

  4. The Kingdom of God has come and gone: This interpretation could imply that the Kingdom was realized in a specific historical context but is no longer operational or relevant, which may align with certain critical or historical views of Christianity.

  5. The Kingdom of God has come, is come, and is coming: This comprehensive perspective captures the idea of the Kingdom as both a present reality and a future hope, acknowledging the already-not-yet tension that is often emphasized in Christian theology. It affirms that while the Kingdom is manifest in the world through believers and the church, its full realization is still awaited.

In summary, the Kingdom of God is viewed as a dynamic and ongoing process in many Christian traditions, encompassing both present realities and future hopes. Each of these statements reflects a different aspect of understanding the Kingdom's nature and existence.

choose one of the options i listed

I would choose "The Kingdom of God has come, is come, and is coming." This option reflects the complex and dynamic nature of the Kingdom of God as both a present reality established through Jesus Christ and His teachings, as well as a future hope yet to be fully realized. It captures the "already-not-yet" tension that many theological perspectives embrace, acknowledging how God's reign is active in the world while also looking forward to its ultimate fulfillment.