Yes, believers are already in the kingdom of God.
According to Paul in Colossians 1:13, God the Father has already delivered believers from the power of darkness and translated them into the kingdom of His dear Son. This is a past, completed action for every believer. While the kingdom's earthly manifestation awaits Christ's return, believers are presently citizens of that kingdom, which is currently in heaven.
Colossians 1:13 — This verse directly states that believers have been translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son, affirming their present position in the kingdom.
Paul writes in Colossians 1:12-13, "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." This scripture reveals that believers are already delivered and translated into the kingdom—a present reality, not just a future hope. The kingdom of God is one kingdom throughout Scripture, and while it will be established on earth at Christ's return, believers are already members of it (Colossians 1:13).
Les Feldick emphasizes that the Father has already, in the past tense, delivered believers from darkness and translated them into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13). This is a completed action for all who are children of God. He clarifies that the kingdom is not multiple kingdoms but one and the same kingdom—the one Christ will set up on earth at His second coming. Currently, that kingdom resides in heaven with Christ, and believers are citizens of it. Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and when Christ returns, He will bring that kingdom with Him, establishing it visibly on earth, and we will be with Him. Les stresses that this present position is the basis for our future role in the earthly kingdom.
Yes, believers are already members of the kingdom. Les Feldick points to Colossians 1:13 where Paul says the Father "hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son". This is a past-tense, accomplished action for every believer. He states, "If you're a child of God tonight, where are you? You're in the kingdom."
The kingdom is currently in heaven, in the person of Christ. Les explains that when Christ was on earth, John the Baptist said the kingdom of heaven was at hand because the King was at hand. After His ascension, the kingdom went to heaven. For believers today, our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and that is where the kingdom is. When Christ comes again, He will bring the heavenly kingdom with Him to set up the earthly kingdom.
Yes, believers who are part of Christ's body will be with Him when He returns and will be part of that kingdom. Les says, "When Christ comes at His second coming and sets up the kingdom on the earth, where are we going to be? We're going to be with Him." The same kingdom that believers are now citizens of will become a visible, governmental, political kingdom when He becomes King of kings and Lord of lords.
One Kingdom Throughout Scripture
Les explains that there is only one kingdom, and it is the kingdom Christ will set up on earth. Even when Jesus spoke of the kingdom being within you, He meant that an inner spiritual relationship is necessary to be part of that future literal kingdom.
Present Position in the Kingdom
Les directly states that the Father has already delivered believers from darkness and translated them into the kingdom of His dear Son, so every child of God is now in the kingdom.
Kingdom Currently in Heaven
Les explains that believers are already members of the kingdom, but that kingdom is currently in glory with Christ. John the Baptist proclaimed the kingdom of heaven was at hand because the King was at hand.
Kingdom Becomes Visible on Earth
Les clarifies that although the kingdom is now spiritual and located in heaven, it will become a visible, governmental, and political kingdom on earth when Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Citizens of the One Kingdom
Les reiterates that there is only one kingdom and that believers are already citizens of it, even though it is presently in heaven with Christ.
Citizenship in Heaven
Les connects being members of the body of Christ with being members of the kingdom, and notes that our citizenship is in heaven because that is where the kingdom is.
Same Kingdom Promised
Les emphasizes that the kingdom mentioned in Colossians is the same kingdom promised to David and Solomon, the same one taught in the Gospels, and the same one that will come upon the earth.
Positional Reality
Les reminds believers that they have been translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son and are positionally in heaven right now, awaiting the visible kingdom.
Colossians 1:13: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
This is the key verse showing believers have already been moved into the kingdom.
Philippians 3:20: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
This verse supports the idea that believers' citizenship is in heaven, where the kingdom is.
Revelation 19:16: And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
This verse is referenced by Les to describe Christ's future role as King over the earthly kingdom.
Both. Believers are already in the kingdom spiritually, as Colossians 1:13 states they have been translated into it. However, the earthly manifestation of the kingdom is future, when Christ returns to set it up on earth. Currently, the kingdom is in heaven with Christ.
It means that God the Father has already moved believers out of the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of His Son. This is a completed action at the moment of salvation, giving believers a new citizenship and position.
According to Les Feldick, the kingdom is currently in heaven, in the person of Christ. Believers are citizens of that kingdom, and when Christ returns, He will bring it to earth.
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