A popular concept of some religions is that Jesus will return to this earth to establish His kingdom, and will reign for one thousand years from an earthly city. There is disagreement among some of these religions as to which city Jesus will return. The site most popularly proposed is Jerusalem. Others have proposed various cities in the western and mid-western United States. Let us examine some of the teachings of the Bible concerning that kingdom and see if we are able to detect not only the location or its establishment, but also the time of its establishment.

Isaiah's prophecy clearly sets forth characteristics of the coming kingdom. The kingdom would be exalted above all other kingdoms, all nations shall flow into it, many shall desire to enter it to be taught the ways of God, and the word of the Lord shall go forth from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2,3). Isaiah clearly points out that Jerusalem is the place where the kingdom would have its beginning. The fact that all nations would flow into it follows from the teachings of Jesus who said, Go ye therefore and teach all nations. . .(Matthew 28:19).

Daniel's prophecy describes the four great world kingdoms and declares that in the days of the fourth great world kingdom, the God of heaven would set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44). Those four great world kingdoms being identified as Babylon, the head of gold (Dan 2:38), Media-Persia (Dan. 8:20), Grecia (Dan 8:20). That fourth great world kingdom was that of Rome. The time of the establishment of this kingdom would be in the days of this Roman Empire.

Luke, in describing the birth of Jesus, recorded that it was in the days of Cæsar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, that all the world would be taxed (Luke 2:1). Jesus declared that He would build His church and would give to the apostles the keys to that kingdom (Matthew 16:18). John the baptizer, Jesus and the apostles went about preaching that the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2; 4:17;17).

Luke records the inspired words of the apostle Peter-

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:29-32)

This pointed proclamation by Peter clearly states that the resurrection of Christ was the indication that He was sitting on David's throne. That seat of authority is in heaven, and Jesus now occupies that place. If Christ is not reigning, then He is not raised. If Christ is not raised, then all are still in sin and lost. But Peter has informed all that Christ is raised from the dead and is now sitting on the throne.

The witness of Daniel- Through the eye of prophecy, the faithful prophet Daniel was able to witness the ascension of Christ.

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed (Dan 7:13, 14).

The prophet saw, as the Christ ascended into heaven, that He was given that everlasting kingdom according to the announcement of Daniel 2:44.

The witness of the apostle Paul- [God] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:13). Paul said God translated them into the kingdom. How could that have been done if the kingdom were not in existence?

The witness of the apostle John- I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:9). This beloved apostle wrote to the seven churches of Asia that he was their brother, that he was their companion in tribulation, and that he was in the kingdom.

Having the witness of all of these scriptures, we are able to see that Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who has all authority in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18), is now reigning in His kingdom, the church of Christ which He purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28).

Those still waiting for the kingdom have rejected that kingdom the Lord established in which are all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), including eternal life.

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