Topic: “The Kingdom of God in the Book of Revelation”

Table of Contents
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………….……..............2
1. Definition of the Kingdom of God……………………………………………………….….2
2. The Interpretative Approaches to the Kingdom of God in the Book of Revelation….….2
2.1. Preterist View………………………………………………………………………….
…….3
2.2. Historical View
……………………………………………………………………………...3
2.3. Idealist View ….….
……………………………………………………………………......3-4
2.4. Futurist View
……………………………………………………………………………......4
3. Kingdom of God in the Book of Revelation ……………………………………….……….4
3.1. The Language of the Kingdom
…………………………………………………………….5
3.2. The Time of the Kingdom
………………………………………………………………….5
3.3. The Location of the Kingdom
……………………………………………………………...5
3.3.1. The Kingdom of God in Heaven ………………………………………………….…….6
3.3.2. The Kingdom of God on Earth …………………………………………………………6
3.4. The Kingdom of God and the Church ………………………………………………….
…7
4. The Kingdom of Satan ………………………………………………………………………7
4.1. Dragon / Satan
……………………………………………………………………………....7
4.2. Beast
…………………………………………………………………………….................7-8
5. The Millennial Kingdom ……………………………………………………………………8
5.1. Different Views of Millennium
…………………………………………………………….9
5.1.1. Premillennialism ………………………………………………………………………...9
5.1.2. Amillennialism ……………………………………………………………………….….9
5.1.3. Postmillennial ……………………………………………………………………………9
5.2. The Nature of Millennium Kingdom
…………………………………………………….10
6. The Consummation of the Kingdom of God ………………………………………………10
6.1. The Eternal Kingdom ……………………………………………………………...10-11
6.1.1. The New Heaven and New Earth ……………………………………………….…….11
6.1.2. The New Jerusalem …………………………………………………………………….11

1
7. Evaluation ……………………………………………...………………………….…....11-12

Conclusion …………...……………………………………………………………….................12

Bibliography …………………………………………………………………………...........13-15

Introduction

The Kingdom is a very large biblical category indeed. Understanding of the kingdom would
illuminate many aspects of theology. The Kingdom of God present throughout Scripture in past,
present, and future form, is a complex reality grappled with throughout the biblical history. The
theme can be seen in both Old Testament and in New Testament. The goal of the kingdom
achieved in Revelation is described as a city, a people, and a conquering king. The Kingdom
concept in Revelation is not just about the power of God, but the power of God displayed for the
sake of His people to establish them in their new home. The central theme of the book of
Revelation is the establishment of the Kingdom of God on the earth. Therefore, this paper deals
with the theme Kingdom of God in the Book of Revelation including its definition,
interpretations, evaluation, and its various aspects in the book of Revelation.

1. Definition of the Kingdom of God

The Hebrew word molekut denotes the “kingdom” or “kingship”.1 The Greek word
basukeiva, usually translated as “kingdom”, which signifies the “being”, “nature”, and “state” of
a King.2 According to Schreiner “The Kingdom is the king’s power over the king’s people in the
king’s place.”3 The Kingdom of God indicates an activity of God where He revealed as a King
and Sovereign Lord of His people and the universe that He created. 4 For Moltmann the
1
Von Rad, “Basileus”, in Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vol. 1, ed. Gerhard Kittel, trans.
and ed. Geoffrey W. Bromley (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1964), 570.
2
Rad, “Basileus”, 589.
3
Patrick Schreiner, The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross, eds. Dane C. Ortlund and Miles V.
Van Pelt (Illinois: Crossway, 2018), 17.
4
C. H. Dodd, The Parables of the Kingdom (Glasgow: James Nisbet & Co, 1961), 29.

2
“Kingdom of God” is at the same time the “kingdom of freedom”. 5 For it is the suffering God
whose kingdom comes to us.6

2. The Interpretative Approaches to the Kingdom of God in the Book of Revelation

Traditionally, four major interpretations have been put for in attempting to unravel the
mysteries of Apocalypse: preterist, historicist, idealist, and futurist.7

2.1. The Preterist View

Preterists view Revelation as a prophecy about the events of A.D. 67-70. This view
originated by the Jesuit Luis de Alcazar (1554-1613).8 Preterists hold that the major prophecies
of the book were fulfilled either in the fall of Jerusalem (AD. 70) or the fall of Rome (A.D.
476).9 According to this view we are beyond the millennium and are presently in the new heaven
and new earth.10 Christ established His kingdom in the first century.11 Preterists believe that
Kingdom of God is a present reality and moreover it is a real historical event the Parousia
(Christ’s coming) has already occurred. 12

2.2. The Historical View

Historical approach claimed that Revelation as an overview of the entire church age. This
approach began with Joachim of Fiore in the twelfth century. He claimed that a vision had told
him the 1,260 days of the Apocalypse prophesied the vents of Western history from the time of
the apostles until the present. The Franciscans followed Joachim and like him interpreted the
book as relating to pagan Rome and the Papacy. Later the Reformers also favored this method,

5
Geiko Muller Fahrenholz, The Kingdom and the Power: The Theology of Jurgen Moltmann (Verlag: SCM
Press, 2000), 242.
6
Fahrenholz, The Kingdom and the Power: The Theology of Jurgen Moltmann, 220-227.
7
Kenneth L. Gentry Jr., Four Views on the Book of Revelation (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 11.
8
John F. Walvoord, Revelation, eds. Philip E. Rawley and Mark Hitchcock (Chicago: Moody Publishers,
2011), 25.
9
Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation: The New International Commentary on the New Testament,
eds. Ned B. Stonehouse, F. F. Bruce and Gordon D. Fee (Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company,
1997), 64.
10
G.K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: NIGTC (Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company,
1999), 81.
11
Gentry Jr., Four Views on the Book of Revelation, 54.
12
Mark Hitchcock, 101 Answers to Questions about the Book of Revelation (Oregon: Harvest House
Publishers, 2012), 19.

3
 with the pope as the Antichrist. 13 It was held by John Wycliffe, John Knox, William Tyndale,
Martin Luther, John Calvin, Sir Isaac Newton, George Whitefield, Charlse Spurgeon, and
Matthew Henry. However, very few hold this view today.14

2.3. Idealist View

This view argued that the symbols do not relate to historical events but rather to timeless
spiritual truths. It always concerned the battle between God and evil and between the church and
the world in church history. The Millennium in this approach is not a future event but the final
cycle of the book describing the church age. 15 This view grew out of the allegorical method
upheld by Origen and Clement and gained traction through the amillennial view held by
Augustine.16

2.4. Futurist View

Futurist view believed that the events of Revelation chapters 4-22 yet to appear on the world
scene. Chapter 19, therefore, refers to the Second Coming of Christ to the earth, Chapter 20 to
the future Millennial Kingdom that will follow, and chapters 21 and 22 to events either
contemporary with or after the millennium.17 There are two forms of the futurist approach they
are dispensational futurism and classical premillennialism or modified futurism.18 The futurist
view in the early church adopted by such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Hippolytus, and Victorinus.
Some contemporary futurists are John Walvoord, John MacArthur, Charlse Ryrie, Tim LaHaye,
J. Dwight Pentecost, and Thomas Ice.19

3. The Kingdom of God in the Book of Revelation

Kingdom in the Old Testament and New Testament speaks most often of the Messianic rule
and Kingdom, an emphasis which most vividly carries over John’s Revelation. 20 The kingdom of
God is the theme of Revelation, and so to study it is to survey the whole content of the book.
13
Grant R. Osborne, Revelation: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Michigan: Baker
Academic, 2002), 47-48.
14
Hitchcock, 101 Answers to Questions about the Book of Revelation, 21.
15
Osborne, Revelation: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 49.
16
Hitchcock, 101 Answers to Questions about the Book of Revelation, 21.
17
Walvoord, Revelation, 27.
18
Beale, The Book of Revelation: NIGTC, 83.
19
Hitchcock, 101 Answers to Questions about the Book of Revelation, 22.
20
Robert L. Thomas, “The Kingdom of Christ in the Apocalypse,” The Master’s Seminary Journal 3, no.2
(1992): 120.

4
Robert W. Yarbrough states that the Kingdom of God is definitive in at least five ways in the
Book of Revelation: 1) The Kingdom of God is definitive for God is with respect to the ultimate
order of all things. 2) The Kingdom of God is definitive for God’s people are. 3) The Kingdom
of God is definitive for the doxological conviction of the church. 4) The kingdom of God is
definitive for the martyrological readiness of the church. 5) The kingdom of God is definitive for
the fundamentally “tensive” fabric of current existence under the rule of God’s kingdom. 21
Kingdom of God in Revelation is equated to Cosmic Kingdom of God.

3.1. The Language of the Kingdom

Kingdom language permeates the book of Revelation. The word “throne” occurs 41 times; of
which 38 refers to the divine kingdom (1:4). The word “Kingdom” is found 7 times; referring 3
times to God’s kingdom (1:9). The word “Reign” is used 7 times, always of the divine kingdom
(5:10). The verb “judge” occurs 8 times and the noun “judgement” 6 times; significantly in every
instance applied to the divine government (6:10; 14:7).22 The word “Crown” occurs 11 times –
applied to Christ, Satan, beast, Christian believers, rider on the white horse, demonic hosts,
Israel, the Son of Man. The word “Wrath” occurs 15 times regarding divine judgment.23

3.2. The Time of the Kingdom

The Kingdom of God is a future realm which we must enter when Christ returns. 24 The future
coming of the kingdom will be attended with great glory. 25 In Revelation 20, the future Kingdom
spoken by Christ (e.g., Luke 12:32; 22:29), Paul (e.g., 1 Thess 2:12; 2 Thess 1:5), and James
(e.g., Jas 2:5).26 The futurity of the Kingdom is a foregone conclusion for John. It was future not
only for him, but also for the entire period of the first century. Its futurity is expressed in all three
types of literature in Revelation the narrative (1:9), the epistolary (2:26-27), and the visionary or
apocalyptic (5:10).27
21
Robert W. Yarbrough, “kingdom of God in the New Testament: Matthew and Revelation”, in The
Kingdom of God, eds. Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A. Peterson (Illinois: Crossway, 2012), 101-104.
22
Alva J. McClain, The Greatness of the Kingdom: An Inductive Study of the Kingdom of God as Set forth
in the Scriptures (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing, 1959), 442-23.
23
Michael J. Vlach, He will Reign Forever: A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God (Silverton:
Lampion Press, 2017), 457.
24
George Eldon Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom: Spiritual studies in the Kingdom of God (Michigan:
Eerdmans, 2000), 16-17.
25
Howard A. Snyder, Model of the Kingdom (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1991), 27-28.
26
Thomas, “The Kingdom of Christ in the Apocalypse,” 119.
27
Thomas, “The Kingdom of Christ in the Apocalypse,” 122.

5
3.3. The Location of the Kingdom

The existence of God’s kingdom in heaven cannot be questioned. Jesus verified the existence
of a kingdom in heaven, but in so doing, He also gave notice of a future kingdom upon the earth
to be modelled after it.28 The Apocalypse in several ways focuses on the earth in its expectation
for the future.29

3.3.1. The Kingdom of God in Heaven

The vision of Revelation chapter 4 and 5, God is eternally adored in heaven. The first part of
the vision has as its central focus the heavenly throne. 30 In the vision John sees God sitting on the
heavenly throne and receiving the worship of the “four living creatures” and the “twenty-four
elders”.31 The location of the four living beings is form an inner circle closest to the throne as
they offer worship to the one sitting on the throne (cf. Rev. 5:8; 19:4). 32 Revelation chapters 4-5
emphasizes that, although God’s realm is separated from the earthly, the throne’s universal
sovereignty is highlighted by the fact that John places it in the center of his heavenly
cosmology.33 John sees that in heaven God’s name is hallowed, He reigns, and His will is done. 34
The worship of God for his role in creation gives way to the worship of the Lamb for His work
of redemption.35

3.3.2. The Kingdom of God on Earth

God, “who is and who was,” “is to come” to earth to establish His rightful kingship,
destroying the satanic forces. John is sure of this because he saw in a vision the heavenly reality
of God’s triumph through Jesus Christ, which is to be unfolded on earth (Rev. 5).36. He is the one
who turns “the kingdom of the world” into “the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ (Rev.
11:15).37 This Christ has already come and conquered the satanic forces and is now enthroned in

28
G. R. Beasley-Murray, Jesus and the Kingdom of God (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1986), 151-152.
29
Thomas, “The Kingdom of Christ in the Apocalypse,” 124.
30
Mounce, The Book of Revelation: The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 145.
31
S. Kim, “Kingdom of God: Revelation”, in Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Development,
eds. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids (Illinois: Inter Varsity Press, 1997), 634.
32
Osborne, Revelation: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 354-55.
33
Beale, The Book of Revelation: NIGTC, 287.
34
S. Kim, “Kingdom of God: Revelation”, 634.
35
Mounce, The Book of Revelation: The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 153.
36
S. Kim, “Kingdom of God: Revelation”, 634.
37
S. Kim, “Kingdom of God: Revelation”, 634.

6
heaven (Rev. 3:21).38 By describing the vision of God enthroned in heaven and of Jesus Christ as
the Lamb slain to establish His kingdom on earth (4-5). 39 The role of Christ in Revelation is to
establish God’s kingdom on earth.40

3.4. The Kingdom of God and the Church

The church or the people of God ransomed from the kingdom of Satan through Christ’s
sacrificial death is the Kingdom of present on earth (Rev. 1:6; 5:10). 41 Believers are either “royal
priests of the highest order” or “a kingdom of subjects with direct priestly access to God.”
Revelation’s emphasis upon the kingdom and ruling as kings (5:10; 20:4, 6). 42 Though believers
are currently viewed as a royal priesthood, this is only preliminary to the fulness of the way they
will function alongside Christ in the millennial kingdom.43

4. The Kingdom of Satan

However, on earth Satan (the dragon or serpent), the primeval adversary of God the
supernature source of all evils, reigns, misleading all the nations with falsehood to worship him
instead of the true God (Rev. 12).44

4.1. Dragon / Satan

According to Mitchell G. Reddish, the dragon is the “ancient serpent, who is the Devil and
Satan.”45 The devil is the force find the wicked kingdoms who persecute God’s people.46 Dragon
expects the battle between the mother and child. 47 The dragon is Satan, the woman represents the

38
Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 1-7: An Exegetical Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992), 326.
39
S. Kim, “Kingdom of God: Revelation”, 635.
40
Schreiner, The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross, 94.
41
S. Kim, “Kingdom of God: Revelation”, 635.
42
Thomas, Revelation 1-7: An Exegetical Commentary, 71.
43
Thomas, Revelation 1-7: An Exegetical Commentary, 402.
44
S. Kim, “Kingdom of God: Revelation”, 634.
45
Mitchell G. Reddish, Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary: Revelation (Georgia: Smyth & Helwys,
2001), 379.
46
G.K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: NIGTC, 531.
47
Thompson, Revelation, 136-37.

7
chosen people of God, and the male child is Christ. 48 The “child” has met the dragon, conquered
it by His death, and is now exalted to God’s throne.49

4.2. Beast

This beast is inspired by the Dragon to take revenge.50 There are also two beasts mentioned in
the book of Revelation. They are beast from the Sea (13: 1-10) and beast from the land (13:11-
18).51 The first beast to appear rises “Out of the sea.” The authority of the first best is described
in two ways: first by his making war against the saints, and second by his demanding universal
worship.52 The identity of this beast is quite clear in reference to the revived Roman Empire. 53
John now sees a second beast, this one rising from the earth and occupying a secondary role
supporting the activities of the first beast. The second beast who is later described as a false
prophet (Rev. 19:20), is a creature of earth rather than heaven.54

5. The Millennial Kingdom

The word “millennium” means literally “a thousand years.” 55 Millennium refers to a

thousand-year period expected by Christian and Jewish eschatological texts before the full
reestablishment of God’s kingdom.56 With Revelation 20:1-10 the events of the second coming
of Jesus unfold and an intermediate kingdom of a thousand years is explicitly revealed. 57
Following the second coming of Christ, Jesus will personally set up His kingdom on earth. 58 In
Christian apocalypticism this anticipation of a temporary messianic kingdom is clearly reflected
in Revelation 20:4-6.59

48
Rodney Stortz, Preaching the Word: Danie, ed. R. Kent Hughes (Illinois: A Division of Good News
Publishers, 2004), 171-172.
49
Mounce, The Book of Revelation: The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 335.
50
Thompson, Revelation,138.
51
Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things, 126.
52
Mounce, The Book of Revelation: The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 262.
53
Walvoord, Revelation, 212.
54
Walvoord, Revelation, 219.
55
James H McConkey, The Book of Revelation (Pittsburgh: Silver Publishing Society, 1921), 95.
56
B.J. Dodd, “Millennium”, in Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Development, eds. Ralph P.
Martin and Peter H. Davids (Illinois: Inter Varsity Press, 1997), 738-39.
57
Vlach, He will Reign Forever: A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God, 474.
58
Ron Rhodes, The End Times in Chronological Order (Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2012), 183.
59
D.E. Aune, T.J. Geddert and C. A. Evans, “Millennium,” in Dictionary of New Testament Background,
eds. Craig A. Evans and Stanley E. Porter (Illinois: Inter Varsity Press, 2000), 49-55.

8
 In the Apocalypse of the things which most shortly come to pass, Jesus revealed to John on
the island of Patmos that after His glorious return, there would ensue a millennial kingdom on
earth.60 For ages the thousand-year kingdom has been most controversial theme of Revelation. 61
Since then, three positions have often sorely divided Christian groups.

5.1. Different Views of Millennium

Historically, there have been three major views regarding the millennial kingdom – they are
called the premillennial, amillennial, and postmillennial views.62

5.1.1. Premillennialism

Premillennialism believes that Christ will return to earth, destroy the evil forces, and reign
here for thousand years. They believe that the millennium will occur after the second coming of
Christ.63 Jesus will raise the dead in two stages: first, He will raise some to participate with Him
in the millennial Kingdom; second, He will raise the rest of the dead and institute the Final
Judgment. Then will come the final eternal destinies of the saved and the lost.64

5.1.2. Amillennialism

Those who believe that the millennium started at Christ’s resurrection and will be concluded
at his final coming has been called amillennialism. 65 The amillennial denies the literal nature of
an earthly millennial kingdom over which Christ reigns for a thousand years. 66 Amillennialism
holds that there will be no literal earthly reign of Christ rather Revelation 20:1-10 is symbolic
and describes the situation during the church age between the advents of Christ but when Christ
returns we are ushered immediately into a new heaven and new earth.67
60
George E. Ladd, Crucial Questions About the Kingdom of God (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1961), 94-95.
61
Jurgen Roloff, The Revelation of John: A Continental Commentary, trans. John E. Alsup (Minneapolis:
Fortress Press, 1993), 223.
62
Hitchcock, 101 Answers to Questions about the Book of Revelation, 166.
63
Osborne, Revelation: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 696.
64
Craig A. Blaising, Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond, eds. Stanley N. Gundry and Darrell L.
Bock (Michigan: Zondervan, 2010), 94.
65
Beale, The Book of Revelation: NIGTC, 790-791.
66
Walvoord, Revelation, 303.
67
Strimple, Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond, 4.

9
5.1.3. Postmillennial

The postmillennial view, which basically states that Christ will return at the end of the
millennium.68 They argue that the thousand years period will be a time of the triumph of the
gospel and a period of peace that will precede the second coming of Christ. 69 They see the church
as delivered from the pressures and persecutions of a fallen world when Jesus returns.70

5.2. The Nature of Millennium Kingdom

Following the second coming of Christ, Jesus will personally set up His kingdom on earth. 71
During the thousand-year kingdom, the people will live very peacefully without Satan’s
interfere.72 There will be four categories of administration during these thousand years. First,
Jesus is the Lord of all. Secondly, like governors, there are twenty-four elders seated on thrones
around the central throne (4:4).73 Thirdly, for those who were beheaded for their witness.
Fourthly, for those who had not worshipped the beast.74 These martyrs are said to come to life
and reign with Christ for a thousand years. 75 The Satan is “bound” and “thrown into the pit”
(Rev. 20:2-3).76 After Satan is bound (20:13), martyred Christians are raised from the dead and
with Christ reign on earth as priests and kings for a thousand years. 77 The thousand years does
not signify the permanent establishment of Christ’s kingdom but is portrayed as a temporary
government, an interregnum before the end. After this thousand-year hiatus, the devil will “be let
out for a little while” (Rev. 20:5) and ultimately the dead will be judged (Rev. 20:12) and death
destroyed (Rev. 20:14). After that comes the eternal Kingdom of God.78

6. The Consummation of the Kingdom of God

68
Walvoord, Revelation, 304.
69
Osborne, Revelation: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 696.
70
Strimple, Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond, 4.
71
Ron Rhodes, Jesus and the End Times (Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2019), 105.
72
Barton, A Glimpse at the Back of the Book: A Commentary on the Book of Revelation, 199-05.
73
C.L. Barker, The Revelation: Analyzed and Made Plain (New York: Carlton, 1964), 148-49.
74
Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things (Michigan: Eerdmans, 2001), 185.
75
Mounce, The Book of Revelation: The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 368.
76
Dodd, “Millennium”, 739.
77
Mounce, The Book of Revelation: The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 417.
78
Dodd, “Millennium”, 739.

10
 John depicts the consummation of the Kingdom of God in terms of a new creation, “a new
heaven and a new earth” and “the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven
from God” (Rev. 21:1- 22:5).

6.1. The Eternal Kingdom

With Revelation 21 and 22, we come to the culmination of God’s kingdom program and goal
of all history. Ever since the fall God’s plan has been to restore His creation through the Son.
This involves fulfilling the rule and subdue mandate of Genesis 1:26-28. All three relationships
God placed man into creatin are fully restored. First, man is in proper relationship with his
Creator. Second, man is in complete fellowship and harmony with other human beings. And
third, man’s relationship with the creation is restored. 79 Scripture informs us that there is both an
eternal state for the redeemed and eternal state for the lost.80

6.1.1. The New Heaven and New Earth

John’s attention is now directed to the new heaven and the new earth that replace the old
heaven and old earth that fled away (20:11). The character of the new heaven and the new earth
quite different from their present form of existence. 81 Not just Book of Revelation but the whole
Bible has pointed to this moment.82

6.1.2. The New Jerusalem

John sees the new Jerusalem, the Holy City coming down out of heaven from God. 83 The
heavenly city will be far more wonderous than we can possibly imagine. The city is designed to
reflect and manifest the incredible glory of God. 84 The New Jerusalem is the eternal dwelling
place of God and His people. 85 Nothing is said about the New Jerusalem being created at this
point and the language seems to imply that it has been in existence throughout the millennium.86

7. Evaluation
79
Vlach, He will Reign Forever: A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God, 489.
80
Rhodes, Jesus and the End Times, 119.
81
Walvoord, Revelation, 333.
82
Osborne, Revelation: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, 756.
83
Mark Hitchcock, The End: A Complete Overview of Bible Prophecy and the End of Days (Illinois:
Tyndale House Publishers, 2012), 432.
84
Rhodes, The End Times in Chronological Order, 219.
85
Mounce, The Book of Revelation: The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 388.
86
Walvoord, Revelation, 334.

11
 The Kingdom of God in the book of Revelation is always future. The various interpretations
attempt to interpret the book of Revelation such as Preterist, Historical, Idealist, and Futurist.
Here researcher support the futurist view because it believed that the events of Revelation 1-3 are
past events and 4-22 are future events. Even Kingdom of is present reality the final is yet to
arrive, and the futurist acknowledge that the future kingdom which is eternal Kingdom of God.
John uses the Kingdom Language such as kingdom, throne, power, reign rule, and so on, which
clearly states that the theme in the book of Revelation is the Kingdom of God, with regards to
time Kingdom of God in the book of Revelation is always future, and regarding the location John
mentioned the God sitting in the heavenly throne which refers to Kingdom of God in heaven and
after which He describes the Kingdom of on earth where Jesus destroys all His enemies and
establish and rule the thousand years on earth which is called Millennium reign. Even there are
three views on Millennium, but researcher strongly support the premillennialism view which
believe that millennium will occurs after the second coming of Christ and which literal thousand
years reigns of Christ on earth.

After the Millennium John depicts the consummation of the Kingdom of God in term of
eternal Kingdom the culmination of God’s Kingdom program and goal of all history. The New
heaven and the New Eart will be replace the Old Heaven and Old Earth that fled away, and the
New Jerusalem is the eternal dwelling place of God and His people. The eternal states for the
redeemed residing in heaven with Christ for all eternity and at the same time the eternal state for
the lost or unbelievers will suffer in hell for eternity.

Conclusion

This paper dealt with the “Kingdom of God in the Book of Revelation”. Researcher has
defined the Kingdom of God and described the various approaches to interpret the Kingdom of
God in the Book of Revelation. The futurists interpretation has taken Revelation 4-22 as the
future events of the fulfilment of the Kingdom of God. And later premillennialism has
chronologically ordered that after the temporal millennial Kingdom the Kingdom of God will be
established for forever and eternality. Therefore, through this paper a reader can understand the
definition, interpretations, location, time, views, nature, and other various aspects of the
Kingdom of God in the book of Revelation.

12
 Bibliography
Books

Barker, C.L. The Revelation: Analyzed and Made Plain. New York: Carlton, 1964.

Blaising, Craig A. Three Views on the Millennium and Beyond. Edited by Stanley N. Gundry and
Darrell L. Bock. Michigan: Zondervan, 2010.

Dodd, C. H. The Parables of the Kingdom. Glasgow: James Nisbet & Co, 1961.

Fahrenholz, Geiko Muller. The Kingdom and the Power: The Theology of Jurgen Moltmann.
Verlag: SCM Press, 2000.

Gentry, Jr Kenneth L. Four Views on the Book of Revelation. Michigan: Zondervan, 1998.

Hitchcock, Mark. 101 Answers to Questions about the Book of Revelation. Oregon: Harvest
House Publishers, 2012.

Hitchcock, Mark. The End: A Complete Overview of Bible Prophecy and the End of Days.
Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 2012.

Koester, Craig R. Revelation and the End of All Things. Michigan: Eerdmans, 2001.

Ladd, George E. Crucial Questions About the Kingdom of God. Michigan: Eerdmans, 1961.

. The Gospel of the Kingdom: Spiritual studies in the Kingdom of God. Michigan:
Eerdmans, 2000.

McClain, Alva J. The Greatness of the Kingdom: An Inductive Study of the Kingdom of God as
Set forth in the Scriptures. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing, 1959.

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McConkey, James H. The Book of Revelation. Pittsburgh: Silver Publishing Society, 1921.

Murray, G. R. Beasley. Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Michigan: Eerdmans, 1986.

Rhodes, Ron. Jesus and the End Times. Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2019.

Rhodes, Ron. The End Times in Chronological Order. Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2012.

Snyder, Howard A. Model of the Kingdom. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1991.

Schreiner, Patrick. The Kingdom of God and the Glory of the Cross. Edited by Dane C. Ortlund
and Miles V. Van Pelt. Illinois: Crossway, 2018.

Stortz, Rodney. Preaching the Word: Danie. Edited by R. Kent Hughes. Illinois: A Division of
Good News Publishers, 2004.

Vlach, Michael J. He will Reign Forever: A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God. Silverton:
Lampion Press, 2017.

Walvoord, John F. Revelation. Edited by Philip E. Rawley and Mark Hitchcock. Chicago:
Moody Publishers, 2011.

Yarbrough, Robert W. “kingdom of God in the New Testament: Matthew and Revelation.” In
The Kingdom of God. Edited by Christopher W. Morgan and Robert A.
Peterson. Illinois: Crossway, 2012.

Commentaries

Beale, G.K. The Book of Revelation: NIGTC. Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 1999.

Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation: The New International Commentary on the New
Testament. Edited by Ned B. Stonehouse, F. F. Bruce and Gordon D. Fee.
Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1997.

Osborne, Grant R. Revelation: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Michigan:
Baker Academic, 2002.

Reddish, Mitchell G. Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary: Revelation. Georgia: Smyth &
Helwys, 2001.

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Roloff, Jurgen. The Revelation of John: A Continental Commentary. Translated by John E.
Alsup. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993.

Thomas, Robert L. Revelation 1-7: An Exegetical Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1992.

Journals Article

Thomas, Robert L. “The Kingdom of Christ in the Apocalypse.” The Master’s Seminary Journal
3, no.2 (1992): 120.

Dictionaries

Dodd, B.J. “Millennium.” In Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Development. Edited
by Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids. Illinois: Inter Varsity Press, 1997.

Evans, C. A., Aune D.E. and T.J. Geddert. “Millennium.” In Dictionary of New Testament
Background. Edited by Craig A. Evans and Stanley E. Porter. Illinois: Inter Varsity Press,
2000.

Kim, S. “Kingdom of God: Revelation.” In Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its
Development, edited by Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids. Illinois: Inter Varsity
Press, 1997.

Rad, Von. “Basileus.” In Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Vol. 1. Edited by
Gerhard Kittel and translated and edited by Geoffrey W. Bromley. Michigan: Eerdmans,
1964.

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