The initial request in the Lord’s Prayer is that God’s kingdom would come to earth. (Matthew 6:10) Not only did Jesus pray that it would come, He also prophesied that it would come — or, at least, that the message about its arrival would eventually be spread through the world, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14) Let’s consider some of the elements necessary in the establishing or building of a kingdom so that we can be able to discern the kingdom as it is coming to earth and to see exactly how we fit into the process of bringing the kingdom into reality.
First of all, let’s take a lesson from the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah. When their enemies threatened to disrupt the building process, Nehemiah instructed the construction workers to take a two-pronged approach to their work. Theirs was to be a double-fisted tactic in that they were to build with one hand while defending themselves with a weapon in the other. (Nehemiah 4:17) This is not just a story out of some musty, old history lesson; rather, it is a directive into the very life of the contemporary church as well.
With the weapons of righteousness for the right hand [to attack] and for the left hand [to defend]. (II Corinthians 6:6 — Amplified)
To be able to succeed in the task of establishing the kingdom of heaven in earthly society, we must be constantly aware that there will be opposition. Therefore, we must constantly keep up our defensive guard while working constructively in building the kingdom. The devil will constantly try to “dis” the work through discouragement, distractions, disillusionment, disappointment, disunity, disharmony, disobedience, disease, and disaster. However, we can take the same weapon that Nehemiah’s workmen took with them as they continued the construction project — a sword. (verse 4:18) Our sword is described in Ephesians 6:17 as the Word of God which is a weapon powerful enough to overcome any opposition force. (II Corinthians 10:4) But we need to limit the present study to the constructive elements of bringing the kingdom of God into prominence in current society; so, let’s save the spiritual warfare aspect for another study.
Actually, there are three different levels of construction necessary in order to build the kingdom — personal, corporate, and civil. It is also mandatory that these aspects be pursued in this specific order to ensure that the construction process will not eventually collapse upon itself.
The first level of building is the personal level in which we develop strong building blocks with which to work. The Apostle Peter spoke of each individual Christian as a lively stone that is used in the construction of the house of God. (I Peter 2:5) The Apostle Paul echoed the same sentiment in Ephesians 2:22 when he said that we are built together for a dwelling place of God through the Spirit. Since we as individual Christians are the basic building blocks of the final product — the kingdom of God on earth — we must realize that any flaw in the basic construction materials will eventually weaken the overall project. At this point, we could dedicate an entire book to the topic of developing strong moral, ethical, and spiritual lives; however, we must limit our thoughts in this specific study to just some rather skeletal discussion. It is obvious that churches, corporations, and governments are made up of men and that — just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest length — every church, corporation, and government is destined to fall apart with its weakest individual building block. Therefore, every single building block must be strong and tempered to properly support the weight of the position it is to fill. Only lives that are led by the Holy Spirit, that are baptized in prayer, that are directed by the principles of the Word of God, and that are focused on manifesting the love of God are strong enough material to be trusted in the kingdom construction project.
The second level of construction is the building of the church — the Body of Christ. If you’ll pardon the illustration, I’d like to reference Mary Shelley’ 1818 novel Frankenstein in which a scientist constructed a human being by assembling body parts that he stole from cadavers and corpses from graveyards. The end result was a monster because the individual parts he used were randomly selected and not uniquely fitted for the position they were made to fill. In contrast, the Body of Christ is destined to be a masterpiece displaying the awesome handiwork of God Himself. (Ephesians 2:10) Therefore, the building materials must be of exquisite quality to match the craftsmanship with which they are fabricated into one unified creation.
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:4-5)
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ…But now are they many members, yet but one body. (I Corinthians 12:12)The third level of building is bringing the kingdom of God to bear in the civil world in which we live. Interestingly, Jesus spoke of this level of the manifestation of the kingdom in terms of growth rather than construction. (Matthew 13:24, 13:31, 13:33; Mark 4:26-28, 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19, 13:20-21) He also added that the kingdom of God would not be immediately obvious in its appearance. (Luke 17:20) The clarification of this parameter on the kingdom of God can be found in Paul’s description of the nature of the kingdom as righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost — all qualities of the inner heart of individual men rather than of the governmental structure of a city, state or nation. (Romans 14:17) As we put all these puzzle pieces together, the full picture begins to develop — the kingdom of God will not be a revolutionary change in government through a coupe or a landslide vote at the polling booths. It will happen so gradually that it will not even be noticeable because it is happening in the hearts of the individuals who make up the nation — the building blocks of the church and society. Jesus repeatedly proclaimed that the kingdom of heaven is at hand — at our very fingertips. (Matthew 3:2, 4:17, 10:7; Mark 1:15, 9:1; Luke 9:27, 10:11, 21:31) He added that the kingdom’s presence was evidenced by the fact that He cast out devils. (Matthew 12:28, Luke 11:20) In other words, the kingdom of God was as close as the hand of God upon our lives, and its expression in the world is evidenced every time He exorcises evil out of an individual.
How, then, should we cooperate with God in order to see that His kingdom is manifest in our world? Let me first suggest living a life of praise. Psalm 22:3 declares that He literally makes His home where people express His praise. One translation says that He pulls up a big chair and sits down where people are praising Him. If He is present, His kingdom is also present. Next, let me suggest that we can take action to bring the kingdom into manifestation. According to I Corinthians 4:20, the kingdom of God is brought forth through the preaching of the Word of God and the demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit; therefore, our primary action should be to preach the gospel with accompanying authority of signs and wonders. (Mark 16:15-20; Luke 9:2, 11, 10:9) God gave the prophet Jeremiah a far-reaching mandate — to root out, to pull down, to destroy, to throw down, to build, and to plant. (verse 1:10) Although this sounds rather negative in many aspects, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 helps set the dictate in perspective when Solomon explains that there is a time to plant and a time to pluck up what has been planted, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to build and a time to break down what has been built, a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together — essentially, a time to every purpose under the heaven. The same is true in the life of every believer. He must know what must be pulled down, rooted out, and destroyed — and when and how to take these aggressive acts. Likewise, he must know what to build up — and when and how to uncompromisingly accomplish these assignments.
First, we have to tear down the demonic control over the lives of individuals and every aspect of society. (Mark 16:17, II Chronicles 17:6) Such dislodging of malevolent spiritual authorities comes only by authoritatively exerting the power of the Word of God over every imagination, every idea or theory that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and every thought that is disobedient to the authority of Christ. (II Corinthians 10:4-5) Then we must build — beginning with building ourselves. (Jude 20) Next, we must invest in the lives of others so as to build up individual men. (Matthew 28:20, II Timothy 2:2) Next comes the Body of Christ. (Romans 14:19, I Corinthians 10:23, Ephesians 4:29, I Thessalonians 5:11)
Before we look at the subsequent dimension of our building, I’d like for us to take a minute to remember a story from the life of the Old Testament prophet Elijah. In chapter thirty-seven of his book, the prophet tells of an experience in which God took him to a vantage point overlooking a valley littered with the dry bones of soldiers from a long-forgotten conflict. When God asked Elijah if the bones could live again, the prophet responded that God knew and should be the one to answer the query. Then came God’s directive that he should begin to prophesy. As the Lord prompted him to continue prophesying, the bones came together, took on flesh, stood up, and assembled as a mighty army. The last point is significant in that it demonstrated that God’s ultimate purpose is to raise up an army — not just a bunch of random soldiers. Yes, the kingdom of God is built one individual at a time as we are transformed internally through the righteousness, peace and joy of the Holy Ghost — but it is only when we come into a unified force that we will be able to exert the power of this kingdom in the present dimension. A splendid example of this principle can be seen in the army of David. He began with a hodgepodge collection of misfits and social outcasts (I Samuel 22:1-2) but ended with an elite team of special forces operatives like the military world has never rivaled (II Samuel 23:8-39). The church is God’s end-time militia (Ephesians 6:10-18), and we must submit ourselves to military disciple so that He can count on us to get the job done (Luke 14:31).
Another level of activity that we must assertively involve ourselves in is constructively helping to build a government in which righteousness is upheld. A primary aspect of this involvement would be to become spokesmen for righteousness by speaking into the lives of those in authority. Throughout the Old Testament we see example after example of the prophets of God voicing God’s corrections and mandates into the ears of the ruling powers in Israel, Egypt, Babylon, and Persia. Even in chains at their own trials, Jesus, Peter, and Paul authoritatively spoke warnings and counsel to the magistrates before whom they stood. (John 19:11, 38; Acts 5:29, 26:28) Furthermore, godly men must decide to exert influence over the decisions and activities of individuals, groups, and organizations within their sphere of influence. Had Nehemiah not stepped out of his comfort zone to take a role of influence and leadership, the walls of Jerusalem would have remained a pile of rubble. (Nehemiah 6:15) Had Haggai simply gone with the flow, the temple would have forever remained an incomplete edifice, symbolizing complacency and lack of dedication rather than an outstanding testimony to the graciousness and magnificence of God. (Haggai 1:2)
Next, we must build financial resources and prosperity because it takes money to wield influence and enact change in society. (Ecclesiastes 9:15) David and Solomon are two exceptional testimonies to this truth. David went from poverty and debt to being able to fund the building of the temple — a multi-billion-dollar project (I Chronicles 22:14-16), and Solomon was able to exert influence throughout the world because of his wealth and the enterprises he could fund with these resources. (I Kings 10:7)
But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. (Proverbs 8:12)
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
Finally, I would add that building the kingdom of God means actually bringing worship unabashedly out into the open and making it a public activity. (I Chronicles 15:1-3, II Chronicles 5:1, John 3:20) Although there is a very private and personal aspect to worship (Matthew 6:1-8), the kingdom of God will only be openly established when men who have the kingdom of God within them begin to exalt the God of that kingdom in the world in which they desire that the King have dominion. (Daniel 3:18, 6:10)