Being an Heir to the Kingdom of God, Inheriting It and Seeing It
The question we want to answer is this:
What is the difference between being an heir to the kingdom of God, entering it and seeing it?
The ‘kingdom of God’ literally refers to “the rule of the LORD” or “spiritual reign of God” (and is synonymous with the kingdom of Heaven). This could apply to the reign of God in the individual believer’s life, which would be determined by how much they’re seeking God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33 & Luke 17:21).
Yet it also relates to the worldwide Church and an assembly/sect of believers, assuming it’s genuine (Matthew 16:18-19), with the understanding that Christ is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:21 & 5:23) and the Church is the forerunner in this fallen world to the coming Kingdom of God.
Speaking of which, the kingdom of God ultimately applies to the eternal age of the New Heavens & New Earth (2 Peter 3:13 & Matthew 26:29).
Spiritually regenerated believers are heirs to this eternal kingdom and coheirs with Christ (Romans 8:17, Galatians 3:29, 4:7 & Ephesians 3:6).
Being an heir to the kingdom and actually inheriting it are obviously linked, but it’s possible to be an heir who ends up not inheriting the kingdom; that is, not entering it. While eternal security is true as the believer continues in faith (John 10:27-30 & Colossians 1:23), it’s possible for a believer to lose their faith and not enter the kingdom (2 Timothy 2:12 & Luke 8:13). So eternal security is true, but unconditional eternal security is not.
As for seeing the kingdom of God, this could refer to “looking forward to the New Heaven and New Earth” while serving the Lord in this mundane world (2 Peter 3:13), but it could also refer to the day one actually inherits the kingdom and sees it firsthand.
Related Topics:
Spirituality — How to be Spirit-Controlled Rather than Flesh-Ruled
Eternal Life (“Heaven”): Questions & Answers
Kingdom of God — What Does it Mean?
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