Who Will Rule the Earth in God’s Kingdom?

The Bible focuses more on the Kingdom of God than any other prophetic event. This was the gospel Jesus preached throughout His earthly ministry: “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).

The word gospel is an old English word meaning “god spell” or good news. The word kingdom is also an Old English term, simply meaning “government.” Therefore, Christ preached the “good news of the government of God”—meaning a coming time when this divine government would be here actively ruling on Earth.

God’s servants in the Old and New Testaments delivered this same message. Prophets, patriarchs and apostles all pointed to a time when He would come to Earth and set up a perfect government. The Church today has reached all nations proclaiming this and continues to carry out this vital commission.

However, even though scriptures about God’s Kingdom are littered throughout the Bible, this very focal point of prophecy is often overlooked. They miss the colossal importance of what the true gospel really is, as well as the titanic implications for all mankind when it is fulfilled.

Through the centuries, large, popular churches have attempted to spiritualize away this prophetic reality. Other groups simply ignore the plain language of the Bible concerning the Kingdom of God.

People continually repeat “Thy Kingdom come” in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13)—but this has no meaning to them since they do not realize what it really means.

We will examine God’s Word to see what He reveals about this time of mankind’s rescue from his current hopeless condition—and the utopian time of peace to follow.

Christ’s Kingdom

(1) Does Christ receive a Kingdom and sit on a throne as king? Matthew 25:31-34.

This prophetic parable pertains to a time—yet to be fulfilled—when Christ the Son will be crowned to reign over the Earth. Read Matthew 19:28-30 for additional proof of this.

An aside: People who believe the false idea of the trinity cannot properly understand this passage. The fact that Jesus told the sheep on His right hand that they are “blessed of My Father”—God—shows that They are two separate and independent beings—contrary to this popular false doctrine.

Scriptures like Matthew 25:31-34 that reveal the role of the Father and Christ in the coming Kingdom cannot be fully appreciated without first understanding the true concept of who and what God is. You may wish to review our five-part World to Come series “Does God Exist?—Many Absolute Proofs!”

(2) Do other scriptures provide more insight into this coronation? Luke 19:11-27.

Luke 19:11 states, “He…spoke a parable…because they thought that the Kingdom of God should immediately appear.” Beginning in verse 12, Jesus explained the parable. Carefully read this entire passage, which continues through verse 27. It provides an overview of how Christ’s servants must develop and grow during their lives to qualify to rule in the Kingdom of God.

(3) Where does the authority or power of anyone holding office over humanity originate? John 19:11; Daniel 2:20-21.

(4) Since Christ has not yet been crowned King over the Earth, what office is He currently occupying? Hebrews 3:1.

Since His ascension back to the throne of God, Jesus has been fulfilling the role of High Priest. He has been interceding on behalf of those called out of this present evil world (Gal. 1:4). He has also been closely monitoring, testing and developing His people in preparation for their incredible positions of authority.

(5) When does Christ’s coronation as King over the Earth occur? Revelation 11:15.

We see that the sound of the seventh trumpet is when Christ takes control over the kingdoms of this world at this time of His Return. His coronation in heaven immediately precedes His Return and assumption of power over all nations—the most crucial juncture in history. At that point, Jesus becomes King of kings.

(6) Who are the other kings serving under Jesus? Daniel 7:18; Revelation 1:6.

The saints who will rule include those called out of the world and who have comprised the true Church of God. These qualify for positions of rulership as they hold fast, endure, suffer (II Tim. 2:12), overcome sin and develop godly character.

(7) What did Jesus say would be the reward of the 12 apostles at the time when He would be sitting on the throne of glory in God’s Kingdom? Matthew 19:27-28; Luke 22:29-30.

(8) Will other faithful saints be resurrected alongside the 12 apostles? Revelation 11:18.

God will empower and resurrect His faithful people, such as Abel, Noah, Abraham and other patriarchs, prophets and servants, to fulfill positions of rulership.

A World Under Righteous Rule

(1) When God and Christ come to rule and judge the Earth, what will be the nature of the government? Psalm 98:9.

(2) Will people fear God’s rule, much like they now fear tyrants? Psalm 72:4, 12-14; Isaiah 35:3-4.

(3) Upon seeing the benefits of obedience to His laws, will the nations seek to learn of His ways? Isaiah 2:2-4.

(4) How will the nations compare His ways and laws to what they had been taught in the philosophy and religion of today? Jeremiah 16:19.

(5) Will the reeducation of the world be universal—eventually encompassing all nations and peoples? Isaiah 11:9.

(6) Besides the presence of God and the saints ruling this world, why will Israel (and the rest of the world) eventually become more receptive to His laws and way of life? Jeremiah 31:33-34.

(7) Will these resurrected saints, serving as priests and rulers, be more accessible than mere human teachers? Isaiah 30:20-21.

The Earth Physically Refreshed

(1) When God comes to Earth, what is His destination? What will happen to that geographical area? Zechariah 14:4.

A series of great earthquakes will occur during the Day of the Lord. Taken together, these quakes are not only for punishment and destruction of areas of this world but also to contribute to changing the topography of the surface of the Earth.

(2) What develops in the east-west ravine caused by that earthquake? Zechariah 14:8.

We will see in the following scriptures that the headwaters of this river press upward at Mount Zion, actually flowing out from under the temple to be built on this site at the outset of the Kingdom.

(3) What effect do the waters of these two rivers have upon the areas to which they flow? Ezekiel 47:8-9.

Also carefully read Ezekiel 47:1-12 to get the full context of the east and west rivers. Isaiah 2:2, noted above, stated, “The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills.”

The topography will have been changed to vastly increase the amount of arable land and living areas to sustain a far greater population on the Earth than ever before. This great mountain will be raised for the site of the temple (Zech. 8:3).

A few other mountains and numerous hill country areas will be preserved for grazing ranges, watershed management and other reasons, including recreation and aesthetic beauty.

The scriptures plainly indicate that both physical and spiritual renewal will come from God’s miraculous intervention. Acts 3:19-21 references “the times of refreshing” and “the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

(4) Will weather conditions in the Kingdom be favorable? Isaiah 35:1-2; 41:18; Deuteronomy 28:12.

Imagine giant landmasses such as the Sahara, Mongolian and Arabian Deserts and numerous other areas of parched desolation becoming arable, with plentiful vegetation and reforestation. Although some desert areas result from deficient rainfall due to mountain ranges, most of this kind of desolation primarily comes from man’s greed and gross mismanagement of natural resources through the centuries.

(5) How will agriculture become more abundant in the Kingdom? Amos 9:13; Ezekiel 34:26-27.

Time of Rebuilding and Rejoicing

(1) Will cities and towns be reconstructed in the Kingdom? Isaiah 61:4; Amos 9:14-15.

(2) Will there again be rejoicing in the cities of Judah, including Jerusalem? Jeremiah 33:10-11; Zechariah 8:5.

(3) Will some be weeping for joy? Jeremiah 31:8-9.

(4) What about families owning and enjoying their own property? Micah 4:4.

(5) Will wealth be gathered to adorn Israel, and especially Jerusalem, as the world’s capital? Zechariah 14:14; Isaiah 60:5, 11.

The word “forces” in Isaiah 60 means wealth. Precious metals, minerals and other resources will flow into Israel for the building of the magnificent temple and other beautiful structures in that region. Extensive reforestation will be required to supply thriving building programs to keep pace with the steadily growing demand for housing.

As the Kingdom develops, so will a gradual and systematic re-education process. God’s direct involvement with His resurrected saints, and the putting away of Satan and his demons, makes this giant task workable.

The Holy Spirit will be made available to all who seek to receive it. Peace, prosperity, happiness, productivity and accomplishment will finally be attainable for a humanity equipped with a sound mind (II Tim. 1:7).

The Nature of Animals and Man

(1) How will the natures of dangerous animals and reptiles change during the Kingdom? Isaiah 11:6-8; Hosea 2:18.

(2) Does God make a covenant of peace with the wild beasts? Hosea 2:18; Ezekiel 34:25.

(3) Will man’s character change, too? Ezekiel 36:26-27.

(4) Will people finally enjoy a sense of security and safety instead of fear and apprehension? Ezekiel 34:28.

Other Blessings—Physical and Spiritual

(1) Will people be healed of all afflictions during this glorious time? Isaiah 35:5-6.

(2) Does God ultimately remove the spiritual blindness (the “veil”) cast over all people? Isaiah 25:7.

Vast numbers will become converted in the Kingdom, as seen in Ezekiel 37:12-14.

(3) Will there ever be any occasion for weeping aside from tears of joy? Isaiah 25:8.

When the Kingdom of God is righteously re-educating and transforming humanity to God’s standards, premature or unexpected death will no longer be a threat. Satan and his demons are put away, the ferocious nature of animals will have been changed, and human beings will no longer commit crimes. Threats from invading armies or terrorist acts will no longer exist.

Death will be swallowed up in victory as physical humans reach the end of their physical lives in the Kingdom and are changed to spirit beings—born into the God Family.

Seeking the Kingdom

Overcoming and enduring to the end (Rev. 2:26) is incredibly vital for all those who are called. The battle God’s people face now is infinitely more difficult than those who will live under the government of the Kingdom of God. But our reward will be greater than those who live during that time. To be counted among “the firstfruits” (Rev. 14:4) is the greatest goal for any human to attain. Can you fully grasp this?

We must focus on the Kingdom of God even more than the first-century Church did. For us, it is just at the door. This precious goal should never diminish in our minds. Matthew 6:33 instructs, “Seek you first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness.”

Doing this helps us dwell more intently on our purpose for being and keeps us from being distracted by this life’s physical, material concerns (Mark 4:19).

Isaiah 40:10 is a capstone verse putting in perspective what will take place: “Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.”

There will be much to be done and to set in order in the Kingdom. We will receive eternal life and the honor of serving in God’s divine government. This is just the beginning of what He has in store for those who hold fast and weather the storms of this present age.

Read or review our inspiring book Tomorrow’s Wonderful World – An Inside View! for more details revealed in Scripture about what this time will be like. This will solidify your precious goal of achieving salvation. Keeping hold of this knowledge will help you make it into the Kingdom of God and rule the Earth. As it says in Revelation 3:21, “To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.”