The Kingdom of God
In Matthew 16:28, Jesus declared:
“Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Some critics claim this was a failed prophecy, asserting that Christ promised His return within the lifetime of His disciples but did not fulfill it. Such reasoning fails to consider parallel accounts in Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27, where the promise includes the Kingdom of God coming “with power”—a key detail that unlocks its meaning.
The Central Theme: The Kingdom
John the Baptist, Jesus, and His disciples all preached the same core message:
- John: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:2)
- Jesus: “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17; Mk. 1:15)
- The Disciples: “Preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 10:7)
This kingdom was not a distant hope—it was imminent. Yet the Jews, including the disciples, often expected a political, earthly reign. Christ, however, described it as an inward, spiritual reality:
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation… for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20–21)
The Nature of the Kingdom
A kingdom is a “king’s domain.” The Kingdom of God is made up of those in whom Christ reigns, whose bodies are the temple of His Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Without the King dwelling within, no one belongs to His Kingdom (Rom. 8:9).
This indwelling presence could only come after Christ’s glorification. Jesus promised the Comforter—His own Spirit in a glorified form (Jn. 14:18, 20)—but this could not be given until His death, resurrection, and ascension (Jn. 7:37–39; 16:7).
The Timing of the Kingdom’s Arrival
Even after the resurrection, the disciples still asked, “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus directed them to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). This matched His earlier statement that some present would see the Kingdom come with power before their death (Mk. 9:1).
This promise was fulfilled at Pentecost. Fifty days after the Passover, Christ’s Spirit filled the 120 gathered in the upper room (Acts 2:1–4). The Kingdom had come—not as an earthly empire, but as a living reign of Christ in His people. This spiritual rule transformed lives, empowered witness, and brought 3,000 souls into the Kingdom in a single day (Acts 2:41).
The Present Reality and the Future Fulfillment
The Kingdom of God began on earth at Pentecost and continues wherever Christ dwells in His people. This spiritual reign produces the righteousness of Christ, victory over sin, and the demonstration of God’s power. However, many have lost sight of this present reality, thinking only of the Kingdom in terms of Christ’s visible return.
Scripture affirms a future physical kingdom:
“The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” (Dan. 2:44)
Yet this does not nullify the present spiritual reign. Today, every believer in whom Christ dwells is part of His Kingdom.
Importantly, prophecy reveals that in the last days, this Kingdom will be manifested with unprecedented power during the latter rain—the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:23; Zech. 10:1). Just as Pentecost marked the early rain, the latter rain will ripen the harvest, bringing a bold, Spirit-filled witness to the entire world before the Second Coming. This final work will be the clearest, most visible display of the Kingdom’s reality since the days of the apostles.
The Message for Today
Jesus stated clearly:
“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt. 24:14)
The apostles preached the Kingdom:
- Philip in Samaria preached “the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 8:12).
- Paul, even under house arrest, “preached the kingdom of God” (Acts 28:30–31).
- Jesus Himself proclaimed the Kingdom while healing every sickness and disease (Matt. 4:23; 9:35).
The world does not need more empty religious rhetoric; it needs a living demonstration of the Kingdom—a reality that transforms lives through the indwelling Christ. Paul wrote that creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God (Rom. 8:19, 21). This will reach its highest fulfillment in the latter rain, when God’s people will reveal Christ’s character and power in fullness.
Summary Insight:
The prophecy of Matthew 16:28 was fulfilled in the arrival of Christ’s spiritual Kingdom at Pentecost, where He came with power to reign within His people. This Kingdom continues today in all who are born again and will reach its final, most powerful manifestation in the latter rain, preparing the world for the visible return of Christ.