In discussions regarding the Kingdom, we must first differentiate between the Millennial Kingdom and the Kingdom of God, or the Kingdom of Heaven. The Millennial Kingdom will be here on earth and will be ruled by the Lord Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. It will be for one-thousand years (Revelation 20:2-7). Jesus will rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 12:5, 19:15) and every knee will bow to Him (Philippians 2:10). Clearly, we are not in the Millennial Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven is in - Heaven.
In Matthew chapter thirteen the Lord Jesus gave several parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13:24, 13:31, 13:33, 13:44, 13:45, 13:47). The parables showed that the Kingdom was a wonderful place, a place to be desired.
But Scriptures show us that the Kingdom of Heaven is a future event. In the “Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:10) it is prayed “Thy Kingdom come.” It is not here yet. We are not in the Kingdom.
In all of the Gospels the Kingdom is referred to as a future event. For example, in the Gospel of Matthew, the grammatical tense indicates the Kingdom is yet to come. “… shall be called great in the kingdom (Matthew 5:19), … shall in no case enter into the kingdom (Matthew 5:20), … shall enter into the kingdom (Matthew 7:21), … shall not enter into the kingdom (Matthew 18:3) This is just a sample from one Gospel.
When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He indicated that the Kingdom was a future event. “until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” – Matthew 26:29 The Apostle Paul was commending the church at Thessalonika for their faithfulness.
“… that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.” – II Thessalonians 1:5-6Then Paul told them (and us) in the very next verse when the Lord would recompense those that trouble us, and count us worthy of the Kingdom.
“And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.” – II Thessalonians 1:7The answer for “when” is – when the Kingdom comes, in the future.
The Kingdom of God, or the Kingdom of Heaven is a Spiritual realm. It cannot be here in this physical world.
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” – I Corinthians 15:50Confirming this are the words of the Lord Jesus as He conversed with Pilate just hours before His death.
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world.” – John 18:36We are not in the Kingdom. The Kingdom is in Heaven, and I look forward to the Day when we are there.