What is a Kingdom?

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To understand the Kingdom of God, we need a basic understanding of an earthly kingdom and how it
operates. An earthly kingdom is a territory or domain governed by a king (or queen). He has absolute
authority and influence over a people and has a responsibility to his subjects for their wellbeing. His
dominion and authority are absolute.

Every kingdom must have a king, but it is also true that every king is automatically a "lord". A lord is
defined as someone having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler. It is this quality of lordship
that distinguishes a king from a president, a prime minister, a mayor or a governor. In fact, a king's
lordship makes him different from any other kind of human leader. Lordship makes the king unique.

The most common word in scripture is the word "lord". Keep in mind that this word does not exist in a
democracy, socialist society or a republic except for the word landlord, in reference to the one who
owns and rents land to others. Landlord is the only common remnant of kingdoms in modern
government and Western societies; but this concept of lord is one of the fundamental principles of a
kingdom.

Now let us speak on a king for awhile. A king's sovereignty is absolute. He isn't voted into nor out of
office or power. His sovereignty is by birthright--or should I say a right of birth. The same is true of a
king's lordship. All kings are automatically lords, but not all lords are kings!

Keep this in mind--a king relates to dominion, while a lord relates to domain. The word dominion refers
to the king's authority--his power. The word domain refers to the territory, the property, the
geographical area over which his authority extends. A king exercises his authority over a specific
geographical area. Keep in mind: A dominion refers to a king's authority and a domain refers to his
geographical territory.

Remember that kings personally own the physical domain over which they reign. That makes them not
only kings but also lords. Kings and property go together!

We should always remember that our "big brother" Jesus always focused on the Kingdom.
The Kingdom concept was born in the heart of man, placed there by his Creator as the purpose for
which he was created. Despite the fact that there were many types of kingdoms throughout history,
there are certain characteristics common to all kingdoms. The Kingdom of God, also possesses these
components. Here are some of them, so that you can understand the Kingdom concept:

All kingdoms have:

A king and lord--a sovereign ruler

A territory--a domain

A constitution--a royal covenant

A citizenry--a community of subjects

The law--acceptable principles

Privileges--rights and benefits

A code of ethics--acceptable lifestyles and conducts

An army--security

A commonwealth--economic security, and

A social culture--traditions, protocol and procedures

The King is the embodiment of the kingdom, representing its glory and nature. The kingdom is a
reflection of the king. If the king is evil and corrupt, his kingdom will be evil and corrupt. If the king is
honorable, truthful and kind, his kingdom will be also. Authority flows from the king and the word of
the king is supreme.

The Territory is the domain over which the king exercises total authority. The territory and its resources
and people are all personal property of the king. The king by right owns all and, therefore, is considered
lord over all. Keep in mind, the word lord denotes ownership by right. Lord is only given to one who is
sovereign owner. This is why the Scripture declares in Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything
in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.

The Constitution is the covenant of a king with his citizens and expresses the mind and will of the king
for his citizens and the kingdom. It is the king's written governing laws, rights, and privileges for his
people. The Bible contains the constitution of the Kingdom of God, which details His will and mind for
His citizens. The Bible is God's Constitution--His Testaments--to His citizens in the Kingdom.

The Citizenry is, collectively, the people that live under the rule of the king. Citizenship in a kingdom is
not a right, but a privilege, and is a result of the king's choice. The benefits and privileges of a kingdom
are only accessible to citizens and therefore the favor of the king is always a privilege. Once one
becomes a citizen of the kingdom, all the rights of citizenship are at the citizen's pleasure. The king is
obligated to care for and protect all of his citizens; and their welfare is a reflection on the king himself.
The number one goal of a citizen in a kingdom is to be subject to the king, seeking only to remain in
right-standing with him. This is called righteousness. This is why Jesus said the priority of all men is to
seek first His Kingdom. (Matthew 6:33)

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The Law constitutes the standards and principles established by the king himself, by which his kingdom
will function and be administered. The laws of a kingdom are to be obeyed by all, including foreigners
residing in it. The laws of the kingdom are the way by which one is guaranteed access to the benefits of
the king and the kingdom. Violations of kingdom law place a citizen at odds with the king and thus
interrupt the favorable position one enjoys with the king. The laws in a kingdom cannot be changed by
the citizens, nor are they subject to a culture change, citizen referendum or debate. Simply put, the
word of the King is law in his kingdom. Rebellion against the law is rebellion against the king. King David
understood this principle of the royal word when he stated, in Psalm 138:2-3, I bow before Your Holy
Temple as I worship. I praise Your name for Your unfailing love and faithfulness; for Your promises are
backed by all the honor of Your name. As soon as I pray, You answer me; You encourage me by giving
me strength.

The Privileges are the benefits the king lavishes on his faithful citizens. This aspect of kingdom is very
different from other forms of government. In a kingdom, citizenship is always desired by the people
because, once you are in the kingdom, the king is personally responsible for you and your needs. In
addition, because the king owns everything within his kingdom, he can give to any citizen any or all of
his wealth as he desires.

A Code of Ethics is the acceptable conduct of the citizens in the kingdom and their representation of the
kingdom. This code includes moral standards, social relationships, personal conduct, attitude, attire and
manner of life.
The Army is the kingdom's system of securing its territory and protecting its citizens. It is important to
understand that in a kingdom the citizens do not fight, but enjoy the protection of the army. This is why,
in the Kingdom of God, the angels are called the host of heaven. The word host means army and
identifies the angels as the so-called military component of the Kingdom of Heaven. This kingdom
concept presents a challenge to our religious thinking of the church as an army. A careful study of the
biblical constitution of the Word will show that the church, as Jesus established it, is not identified as an
army but rather a citizenship, a family of sons and daughters, and a nation.

Matthew 26:52-53 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the
sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would
send them instantly?

Psalm 78:49 He loosed on them His fierce anger—all His fury, rage, and hostility. He dispatched against
them a band of destroying angels.

Psalm 103:20-21 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out His plans, listening for each
of His commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve Him and do His will!

Matthew 13:40-42 Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the
world. The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will remove from His Kingdom everything that
causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.

A Commonwealth is the economic system of wealth which guarantees each citizen equal access to
financial security. In a kingdom, the term commonwealth is used because the king's desire is that all his
citizens share and benefit from the wealth of the kingdom. The kingdom's glory is in the prosperity and
health of its citizens.

Please note: Consider carefully the Word of the King of the Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ:

Luke 12-22-23 Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what
you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more
than clothing." NKJV
Luke 12-31-32 But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear,
little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. NKJV

The Social Culture is the environment created by the life and manners of the king and his citizens. This is
the cultural aspect that separates and distinguishes the kingdom from all others around it. It is the
culture that expresses the nature of the king, through the lifestyle of his citizens. This distinction in
kingdom culture is evident in the words of the Lord Jesus, when He said in the book of Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are
subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you
call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,
you are in danger of the fires of hell." and again in Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them together
and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their
authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader
among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for
many.”

The Kingdom social culture should be evident in our daily activities and encounters. If we are part of His
Kingdom, we will reflect the culture of our King!