The Perfected Kingdom
He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new!” - Revelation 21:5
Everybody always wants to know how the story ends. The book of Revelation gives us the opportunity to flick forward to the final page so that we can walk toward the end of history with greater faith, confidence, and joy.
Scripture is very clear that all of history is moving towards a final goal. This is a matter of extreme significance; God has created men and women to know that something exists beyond death. Indeed, He has set eternity in our very hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Every religion and worldview attempts to make sense out of history. Hinduism, for example, teaches that the reality in which we find ourselves is not moving towards a destination but is actually going around in circles—that history is cyclical. Atheistic naturalism argues that there is no pattern to history and no purpose or end goal; history is simply the tale of atoms rearranging themselves (and so are each of us). Christians, however, recognize that the Bible shows history to be linear: there was a point of beginning, there will be a point of ending, and there is purpose to its direction. Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and return are the central theme of all of history. All of humankind’s story must therefore be viewed within that framework. Jesus will return; He will complete God’s eternal plan of salvation, and He will usher in God’s perfected kingdom. He will make all things new and perfect.
What is the perfected kingdom that Jesus brings in? It’s a kingdom that centers on His cross. It’s a kingdom that changes hearts and lives, and its citizens bow before Jesus as King. It’s a kingdom of love and justice, of compassion and peace. This kingdom is growing and reaching out to the ends of the earth—and at the appointed time, which is unknown to us, God the Father is going to give His Son the nations as His inheritance (Psalm 2:8).
Even now, God is working out His sovereign plan and the mystery of His will. When John writes concerning the end times, he reminds us that “salvation belongs to our God” (Revelation 7:10). If salvation belonged to another or if it were left to chance, God’s plan might not be fulfilled. But He is the author of history and the ruler of the future. He has purposed to save His people, and He will. One day we shall hear Him say, “It is done” (21:6).
God has begun the work of our salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection, and one day He will bring all things under one Head, Jesus. Therefore, if we are united with Christ, “we are more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37), enabled to reign forever with the Son. How do we respond? With faith, confidence, and joy! For while we do not know how our lives will go, we do know how the story ends—and how our eternity begins.
So we pray with eager anticipation, “Our Father in heaven … Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:9-10).
Across the Gospels and Epistles, the “Kingdom of God” refers to God’s present spiritual reign and its future consummation, calling believers to repentance, righteousness, humility, and hope.
1. Announcement of the Kingdom
Mark 1:14–15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Crossway
Matthew 4:17 – “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Bible Study Tools
Matthew 10:7 – “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” Bible Study Tools
2. Nature of the Kingdom
Luke 17:21 – “The kingdom of God is within you / in your midst.” King James Bible Online
Romans 14:17 – “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” King James Bible Online
John 18:36 – “My kingdom is not of this world.” King James Bible Online
3. Entering the Kingdom
John 3:3 – “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Hozana
Matthew 7:21 – “Only the one who does the will of my Father… will enter the kingdom of heaven.” King James Bible Online
Luke 18:17 – “Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Hozana
4. Blessings of the Kingdom
Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Bible Study Tools
Luke 6:20 – “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Crossway
Matthew 5:10 – “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Hozana
5. Living for the Kingdom
Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” Crossway
1 Corinthians 4:20—"The "kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” King James Bible Online
6. Parables About the Kingdom
Mark 4:26–29 – Parable of the growing seed, illustrating the kingdom’s hidden yet certain growth. Crossway
Luke 19:11–27—Parable of the minas, showing responsibility while awaiting the kingdom’s fullness. knowing-jesus.com
7. Future Fulfillment
Matthew 25:34 – “Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” knowing-jesus.com
2 Peter 1:11 – “You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Who is excluded from inheriting the Kingdom of God?
Scripture addresses the question of who is excluded from inheriting the Kingdom of God multiple times. The “Kingdom of God,” referenced throughout the Bible, signifies both God’s reign and the eternal inheritance awaiting those who are his. Various passages caution that persistent, unrepentant participation in specific sins or attitudes can lead to exclusion. The focus is ultimately on the condition of the heart, connected to genuine faith in Christ and a life transformed by His grace.
Those excluded from inheriting the Kingdom of God are those who cling, unrepentantly, to sinful behaviors and a state of unbelief. These include the individuals whose lifestyles reflect persistent indulgence in immorality, idolatry, hatred, murder, lying, greed, and other actions listed in passages like 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5, and Revelation 21:8.
Yet the Bible sets forth one compelling way to inclusion: repentance and faith in Christ. Genuine belief in Him—evidenced by a transformed heart and life—grants access to the Kingdom. The good news is that no sin is beyond forgiveness, and all are welcome to repent, trust in Christ, and confidently inherit the Kingdom of God.
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