No, "the kingdom of God is within you" does not mean the kingdom lives inside each person; it points to the King's presence with Israel and the need for an inner spiritual relationship to enter the coming kingdom.
In Luke 17:21 Jesus told the Pharisees the kingdom was "within you." Les Feldick says theologians have twisted this phrase. He teaches that the kingdom is a literal, physical, political kingdom that Christ will one day set up on earth, and when the King was standing in Israel's midst the kingdom was at hand. To become part of that kingdom, a person must have an inner spiritual relationship with God through the new birth.
Luke 17:21 — This verse contains the exact phrase being asked about, 'the kingdom of God is within you.'
John 3:3 — Les connects the need for an inner spiritual relationship to Jesus' words to Nicodemus about being born again to see the kingdom.
In Luke 17:20-21, when the Pharisees asked when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." In John 3:3, Jesus told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Les Feldick says theologians have taken the phrase "the kingdom is within you" and twisted it out of shape. He stresses that all through Scripture there is only one kingdom — the kingdom Christ will set up on earth when He returns to become King of kings and Lord of lords. That future kingdom is a literal, physical, political kingdom. When Jesus said "the kingdom is within you," He was not locating the kingdom inside individuals; He was pointing to the King's presence. Since the kingdom is centered in the person of Christ, when the King was standing in Israel's midst the kingdom was at hand. Les explains that John the Baptist's announcement that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" meant the King was at hand. Israel, however, rejected the King and crucified Him. Even though the King is now seated at the Father's right hand, He remains King of kings and Lord of lords. Les is careful to say Jesus is not the King of the church; He is the head of the body. The kingdom is still centered in Christ. At the same time, Les says to become part and parcel of that literal, physical, political kingdom, there must be an inner spiritual relationship with God. That is what Jesus meant when He told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of heaven."
No. Les Feldick says theologians have twisted this phrase beyond recognition. He explains that the kingdom Jesus preached is a literal, physical, political kingdom that Christ will one day set up on earth. To become part of that kingdom, a person must have an inner spiritual relationship with God — the new birth Jesus described to Nicodemus.
Because the King was present. Les says wherever the King is, you have the kingdom. When John the Baptist told Israel to repent, "the kingdom of heaven is at hand," he meant the King was at hand. Israel had been promised a kingdom under the Abrahamic covenant, and when Jesus came and was presented as Israel's King, the kingdom was in view. Israel rejected it, so the kingdom was not established at that time.
Les defines the kingdom of God as the whole sphere under God's sovereign control. The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom promised to Israel since Abraham — the earthly kingdom that will yet come. That kingdom of heaven is within the larger kingdom of God.
Les Feldick says he has always maintained Jesus is not the King of the church; He is the head of the body. Nevertheless, Jesus remains King of kings and Lord of lords, and the kingdom is still centered in His person. When He returns, He will set up that kingdom on earth.
Pharisee Self-Righteousness Blocks the Kingdom
Les shows the older brother in the prodigal son parable as a picture of the self-righteous Pharisees who did not see their need and were angry at those who believed.
The True Meaning of "Within You"
Les says theologians have twisted the phrase 'the kingdom is within you'; the kingdom is a literal future earthly kingdom, and entering it requires an inner spiritual relationship with God.
Repeated Teaching: Inner Relationship Required
This repeat of the same teaching reinforces that 'within you' refers not to an internal kingdom but to the need for the new birth to enter Christ's coming earthly kingdom.
Where the King Is, There Is the Kingdom
Les explains that the kingdom of heaven was at hand because the King was on earth; wherever the King is, you have the kingdom.
Israel Rejected the King
The King was in Israel's midst, making the kingdom imminent, but Israel rejected and crucified Him; Jesus remains King of kings, not King of the church.
The Kingdom Is Centered in Christ
John's announcement that the kingdom was at hand meant the King was at hand, and today the kingdom is in glory in the person of Christ.
Kingdom of God vs. Kingdom of Heaven
Les defines the kingdom of God as God's whole sovereign sphere, with the kingdom of heaven as the promised earthly kingdom to Israel inside that sphere.
Kingdom and King Come Together
A viable kingdom requires a king; when Jesus came and John presented Him as King, the kingdom was in view.
Luke 17:21: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Jesus speaks to the Pharisees and uses the exact phrase in question.
Luke 17:20: And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
This verse sets up Jesus' answer about the kingdom of God being within them.
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.
Les cites this verse to show that entering the kingdom requires an inner spiritual relationship with God.
No. He says that phrase has been twisted by theologians. For Les, it points to the King's presence with Israel and to the inward spiritual relationship that makes someone part of the future earthly kingdom.
Because the King was at hand. As Les puts it, wherever the King is, you have the kingdom. John's announcement meant Israel's promised King was present with them.
According to Les, the kingdom of God is the whole sphere under God's sovereign control. The kingdom of heaven is the earthly kingdom promised to Israel, and it is part of the kingdom of God.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About the Prodigal Son