Both—the kingdom of God is spiritual, physical, and political.
Les Feldick teaches that there is only one kingdom in Scripture, and it will be set up on earth when Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords. At the same time, entrance into that kingdom requires a spiritual birth, as Jesus told Nicodemus. So it is not either/or: the kingdom is spiritual because it is a kingdom of righteousness and requires new birth, and it is political because it will be an actual government over the whole earth.
Daniel 2:44 — Shows God will set up a literal kingdom on earth that will never be destroyed.
John 3:3 — Shows spiritual new birth is necessary to see or enter the kingdom.
Isaiah 11:6 — Describes the physical transformation of the animal world in that kingdom.
Colossians 1:13 — Shows believers are translated into the kingdom of God's Son.
The Old Testament describes the kingdom God will establish as a literal, lasting government. Daniel 2:44 says, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." Isaiah 11:6 likewise describes a transformed physical world: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." At the same time, Scripture makes a spiritual entrance into this kingdom necessary. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Paul writes in Colossians 1:13, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."
Les Feldick repeatedly emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is not either/or—it is both. In his words, "the kingdom is the kingdom is the kingdom." It is spiritual, physical, and political. It will be set up on the earth when Christ returns as "King of kings and Lord of lords," fulfilling Daniel's prophecy and including physical changes such as peace in the animal kingdom (Isaiah 11). Yet it is also a kingdom of righteousness, holiness, and sinlessness, with no death or curse—which makes it spiritual. Les explains that when Jesus said "the kingdom is within you," He was not describing an invisible, ethereal kingdom. Rather, He was saying that an inner spiritual relationship with God—being born again—is required to enter the future, literal, earthly kingdom. He points to Nicodemus as the example. Les also teaches that believers have already been translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Colossians 1:13) and will rule and reign with Christ when that kingdom is established on earth.
Les Feldick teaches that when Christ returns He will be "King of kings and Lord of lords over the whole earth" and the kingdom will be "set up on the earth." Isaiah 11 shows physical changes in the animal world, so the kingdom is not merely an inward idea. Yet it is also a kingdom of righteousness, holiness, and sinlessness, with no death or curse—so it is spiritual as well.
According to Les, theologians have twisted that phrase. Jesus was saying that in order to become part of the literal, physical, political kingdom that is coming on the earth, there must be an inner spiritual relationship with God. He points to John 3, where Jesus told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven."
Les teaches that when the kingdom is set up, believers who are truly born from above will "rule and reign with Him over that glorious kingdom." He also points to Colossians 1, which says believers have been "translated into the kingdom of His dear Son," and to the truth that when the Son returns and sets up His kingdom on this earth, believers will be part of it.
King Emphasis in the Old Testament
Les shows that the Old Testament repeatedly draws attention to Israel's King, and that the full picture of Christ's work unfolds progressively in Scripture.
One Kingdom—Spiritual, Physical, and Political
Les teaches that the kingdom is spiritual, physical, and political—a literal earthly kingdom where Christ rules as King of kings and Lord of lords, yet also a kingdom of righteousness and holiness.
Why Is Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Still Relevant Today? Daniel 2
And as the New Testament teaches so plainly, Paul, as well as in the book of Revelation, when that kingdom is set up, if you and I are in the body tonight, we're truly, genuinely born from above, we're going to rule and reign with Him over that glorious kingdom. So now I'll still say what I've said before, the kingdom is the kingdom is the kingdom. It's spiritual? Yes. It's physical? Yes.
The Kingdom Is Within You and Being Born Again
Les explains that Jesus' phrase "the kingdom is within you" means an inner spiritual relationship with God is required to enter the future literal, physical, political kingdom, as seen in John 3 with Nicodemus.
Why Is Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Still Relevant Today? Daniel 2
All through Scripture there is only one kingdom, and it's the kingdom that Christ will set up on earth when He returns to become King of kings and Lord of lords. Now you see, even in His earthly ministry when He said, "...the kingdom is within you," my theologians have taken that and they have so twisted it out of shape that nobody can recognize it, but literally what He was saying is that in orde…
Translation into the Kingdom and Future Rule
Les teaches that believers have been translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son and will be part of that earthly kingdom when Christ returns.
Kingdom of Heaven Is the Kingdom on Earth
Les teaches that the kingdom of heaven is the same kingdom that will be on earth, not a spiritual, ethereal, invisible kingdom—though it is also spiritual and physical.
Daniel 2 Explained: The Stone Kingdom That Fills the Earth
Well, it's so true, but this kingdom of heaven is going to be the kingdom on earth. It's the same kingdom. Now tonight during the church age we've got to go look at Scripture. Keep your hand in Daniel. Go back with me to Colossians. You remember when John the Baptist began his ministry, what was the crux of his message? The kingdom of heaven is what? At hand.
Daniel 2:44: And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Shows that God will set up a literal earthly kingdom that endures forever.
John 3:3: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Demonstrates that spiritual rebirth is required for kingdom entrance.
Isaiah 11:6: The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Describes the physical peace of the animal kingdom in the coming earthly kingdom.
Colossians 1:13: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Shows that believers are already spiritually brought into the kingdom.
Zechariah 9:9: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Points to the coming King and was fulfilled in Christ's entry into Jerusalem.
Yes. Les teaches that it is a literal, physical, political kingdom that will be set up on the earth when Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords. It is also spiritual because only those born again can enter, and it will be a sinless kingdom with no death or curse.
Colossians 1:13 says believers have been delivered from darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. Les teaches that while this kingdom is presently in heaven, it is the same kingdom Christ will set up on earth, and believers will be part of it when He returns.
Les says theologians have twisted this phrase. Jesus meant that an inner spiritual relationship with God—being born again—is necessary to become part of the literal, physical, political kingdom that is one day coming on the earth.
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