Understanding the Kingdom of God Within: Luke 17:21

Luke 17:21

21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Luke 17:21 teaches that the kingdom of God is a spiritual reality that begins in the heart through the presence of Christ and the operation of His graceHLv 339.2+2. While many in the time of Christ expected a visible, earthly empire established with outward pomp, Jesus clarified that His kingdom does not come with "observation" or outward showLTJMB3 353.2+2.

The Kingdom within the Heart

The core meaning of this verse is that the kingdom of God is established where God is allowed to rule and where His law is written upon the soulGCB/GCDB 1895, page 348.6+1.

• The Presence of the King: The kingdom exists where the King is; therefore, when Christ dwells in the heart by faith, His throne is set up within the believer Ephesians 3:17GCB/GCDB 1895, page 348.6+1.

• Spiritual Transformation: This internal kingdom is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost Romans 14:17BEST September 12, 1898, page 289.5+1.

• A Universal Potential: Because God created man to be His temple, the potential for this kingdom exists within every person, though it is only truly established when one chooses to let the Lord reign instead of the "usurper" or selfARSH September 8, 1896, page 570.1+2.

• New Birth Required: One cannot truly see or enter this spiritual kingdom without being born again, a process that changes the character from selfishness to the Christ-life John 3:317MR 359.2+1.

Addressing the Pharisees: "Within" or "Among"

A common point of discussion involves why Jesus said the kingdom was "within" the Pharisees, whom He often called hypocrites Matthew 23:13ARSH June 9, 1859, page 17.21+1.

• Presence Among Them: Many scholars and translations suggest the Greek can be rendered "among you," meaning the kingdom was present in their midst through the person of Jesus and His miraculous worksSAIN 46.2+2.

• The Work of Grace: Even though the Pharisees rejected Him, the "elements of the kingdom"—the Savior, His truth, and the manifestations of divine power—were right there in their presenceBIAD 98.2+1.

• A Matter of Choice: While the kingdom belonged to God by right, in the hearts of the unbelieving Pharisees, it was still occupied by a usurper because they had not chosen to let Christ ruleARSH September 8, 1896, page 570.1+1.

The Distinction Between Grace and Glory

It is vital to distinguish between the kingdom of grace now and the visible kingdom of glory to comeSAIN 46.2+1.

• The Current Kingdom of Grace: This is the spiritual reign of God in the hearts of believers during this present ageARSH December 10, 1857, page 36.15+1.

• The Future Kingdom of Glory: The fact that the kingdom is "within" does not negate a future, literal kingdom that will be established at the second coming of Christ Daniel 2:44SAIN 46.2+1.

• Ongoing Prayer: This is why followers of Christ continue to pray "Thy kingdom come," looking forward to the time when the internal reign of grace culminates in a visible, eternal kingdom of power Matthew 6:10ARSH June 9, 1859, page 17.21+1.

Practical Application

Living with the kingdom of God within means exercising self-control and acting as a ruler over one's own spirit and bodyCG 409.1+1.

• Health and Character: Daniel understood this principle, recognizing that his body was the temple of the living God and that the kingdom of God within him governed even his choices in eating and drinking 1 Corinthians 6:19PTUK February 1, 1900, page 69.3.

• Witness to the World: When the kingdom is truly established within, a person gains strength of principle and becomes a "true reformer," making an effaceless impression on othersGCDB February 12, 1897, page 3.8+2.

• Preparation for Heaven: Developing a character in harmony with the laws of this internal kingdom is the essential preparation for the day when Christ appears in glory 1 John 3:2-3ST December 29, 1887, par. 3+1.

The existence of a literal, future heaven is an absolute reality that is as certain as the first coming of ChristTDOC 137.3+1. While the kingdom of God begins as a work of grace within the heart in this life, it find its full and glorious consummation in a future, immortal kingdom of gloryHF 216.3+2.

The Reality of the Heavenly Kingdom

Heaven is a real place where Christ has gone to prepare mansions for His followers John 14:2ST October 14, 1897, par. 11. It is described as a "Holy City," the "New Jerusalem," which currently exists above as the capital of God’s future universal kingdom Revelation 21:10-27EW 112.2+1.

• A Literal Inheritance: The saved will receive an "immortal inheritance" and "eternal life" in a kingdom that is yet to be fully established7MR 312.2+1.

• The Reward of the Just: This future kingdom is God’s arrangement to reward the righteous who are saved from every nation and tongue throughout human historyRAR 42.1+1.

• A Home for the Ransomed: Those who are faithful will eventually have a home with the Redeemer and praise Him with "immortal tongues"ST January 31, 1878, par. 12.

The Kingdom of Grace vs. The Kingdom of Glory

The Bible uses the term "kingdom of God" to designate two distinct but related phases of God’s reignCIHS 107.2+2.

1. The Kingdom of Grace: This is established now as hearts yield to the sovereignty of God’s loveHvn 167.2+1. It is represented by the "throne of grace" to which we may come boldly to find mercy Hebrews 4:16CIHS 107.2.

2. The Kingdom of Glory: This is the future, literal kingdom that will be set up at the second advent of ChristHF 216.3+1. It is represented by the "throne of glory" when the Son of man sits in His majesty Matthew 25:31CIHS 107.2.

Entering the Kingdom at the Second Advent

The transition from the spiritual kingdom within to the literal kingdom of heaven occurs at the second coming of Jesus ChristHvn 167.2+1.

• The Resurrection and Change: At His appearing, the righteous dead are raised to life and the living righteous are changed "in a moment" to become immortal 1 Corinthians 15:51-52TA 279.2+1.

• Gathered by Angels: The elect will be gathered from the four winds to meet the Lord in the air and ascend together to the city of God 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17TA 279.2.

• A Final Restoration: Eventually, the "earth made new" will become the eternal home of the redeemed, where there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain Revelation 21:3-4EW 112.2+1.

The Relationship Between the Two

The kingdom of grace is not a replacement for heaven; rather, it is the necessary preparation for itBIAD 93.1+2. Heaven must be brought to the people on earth—meaning we must become acquainted with its principles and be made fit for its society—before we can be taken to heaven19LtMs, Lt 214, 1904, par. 16+1. The grace received now fits the sinner for the kingdom of glory that is to comeCOL 96.2+1. 😇