Kingdom of the World |
Kingdom of God |
| Exercises the power of the sword (Rom. 13:1-4) |
Exercises the power of the Cross (1 Cor. 1:18) through the preaching of the Gospel (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16) |
| The greatest lord it over (Matt. 20:25; Mk. 10:42; Lk. 22:25) |
The greatest are the greatest servants (Matt. 20:26-28; Mk. 10:43-45; Lk. 22:26-27; 1 Pet. 5:1-3) |
| Can only control outward behavior | Transforms the inward man (Rom. 12:2) |
| Promotes and seeks the defense and advancement of one’s own concerns: life, family, community, nation, and religion. Often the defense and advancement of these entities is at the expense of individuals; e.g. millions dying on opposing sides of a war to defend and/or advance the interests of their nations. | Seeks the good of others, even those with whom we have no direct interest. Self-sacrifice is made for the sake of other individuals (Matt. 16:25; 20:26-28; Mk. 8:35; Lk. 17:33; Jn. 12:25; Rom. 12:1; Phil. 2:1-8). The kingdom of God is advanced because it demonstrates God’s love and gives eternal life to others (Jn. 10:10). |
| Myriad laws to control outward behavior and so maintain order (Rom. 13:1-4) | One law of love (Romans 13:8) |
| Uses worldly politics | Does not judge those without (1 Cor. 5:12-13), has no fellowship with the iniquitous system of the world (2 Cor. 6:14; Jas. 4:4), is not flesh and blood (1 Cor. 15:50) |
| Returns evil with evil | Returns evil with good (Matt. 5:43-44; Lk. 6:27, 35; Rom. 12:20) |
| Warfare is fleshly | Warfare is spiritual (Eph. 6:10-17) |
| In bondage (Rom. 8:21; Gal. 4:3) | Free (Lk. 4:18; Jn. 8:32, 36; Rom. 8:21; Gal. 5:1) |
| Worships Satan, king of this world (Matt. 4:8-9; 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 12:9; 20:2) |
Worships the Triune God |
| Visible to physical eyes and carnal mind | Can be seen only by those born again (Jn. 3:3; Mk. 4:11-12; Lk. 17:20-21) |
| Entered by physical birth into the world | Entered by spiritual birth (Jn. 3:5) |
| Of the world | In the world but not of it (Jn. 17:14-18; 18:36) |
| In darkness (Acts 26:15-18; Col. 1:13) |
In the light (Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9) |
| Is in wickedness (1 Jn. 5:19) | Righteous (Heb. 1:8) |
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