Who Are the Subjects of God’s Kingdom?
The Bible shows that God’s Kingdom is a heavenly Kingdom that will rule over the earth. But who are the subjects of God’s Kingdom—the people who will live under this rule? Jesus Christ and those who inherit the Kingdom with him will share in its rulership. But a kingdom does not consist only of those who rule. There must also be those who live under its rule.
Scripture distinguishes between those who will inherit God’s Kingdom and those who will inherit the earth. Paul writes that “flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s Kingdom” (1 Cor. 15:50), while the book of Psalms says: “The righteous shall inherit the earth and live on it forever” (Ps. 37:29).
Who will the Kingdom rule over, and what does the Bible reveal about the place of these people in God’s purpose? That is what we will examine in this article.
God’s Kingdom Will Rule Over the Nations
The Bible does not describe God’s Kingdom as a Kingdom that will exist in isolation in heaven. On the contrary, the prophecies show that the Kingdom will exercise dominion over people and nations.
In the book of Daniel, the Son of Man is described as being brought before God and receiving the Kingdom:
“I was looking in the night visions. And behold! One like the Son of Man came with the clouds of the heavens. And He came to the Ancient of Days. And they brought Him near before Him. And dominion was given to Him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” (Dan. 7:13–14, Interlinear Bible)
The prophecy shows a clear distinction between the one who receives the Kingdom and the peoples who come under its rule. The Son of Man receives “dominion, glory, and a kingdom,” while “all peoples, nations, and languages” are to serve him.
The same basic picture is found elsewhere in Scripture. The book of Psalms says that “the kingdom is Yahweh’s” and that he “rules over the nations” (Ps. 22:28). Isaiah likewise prophesied of the one who would “rise to rule over the nations” (Rom. 15:12).
God’s Kingdom therefore has not only rulers but also subjects—people and nations who live under its rule.
Who Are the Subjects of God’s Kingdom?
When the Bible describes the rule of God’s Kingdom, the people over whom the Kingdom will rule are often referred to as peoples or nations. But who are these people?
In Daniel’s prophecy, the Son of Man receives a Kingdom so that “all peoples, nations, and languages” will serve him (Dan. 7:13–14). Later in the same chapter, the saints of the Most High are also described as sharing in the rulership:
“And the kingdom and rulership, and the greatness of the kingdom under all the heavens shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. And all kingdoms shall serve and obey Him.” (Dan. 7:27, Interlinear Bible)
The prophecy thus shows two different groups. On the one hand, there are those who share in the Kingdom’s rulership. On the other hand, there are the peoples and nations who come under that rule.
The same distinction is found in Revelation. Jesus says concerning the one who overcomes and remains faithful:
“And the one overcoming, and the one keeping My works until the end, I will give to him authority over the nations. And he will shepherd them with an iron staff…” (Rev. 2:26–27, Interlinear Bible)
If some are given “authority over the nations,” these nations must be a different group from those who share in the rulership itself. The expression “all peoples, nations, and languages” shows that the Kingdom’s rule is universal. It includes people from every nation and language group. The nations are therefore the people who live under the rule of God’s Kingdom—the subjects of God’s Kingdom.
Some Will Inherit the Kingdom—Others the Earth
The Bible not only distinguishes between those who will rule and those who will live under the Kingdom’s rule. It also speaks of two different kinds of inheritance.
Paul writes concerning those who will inherit God’s Kingdom:
“And I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood is not able to inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Cor. 15:50, Interlinear Bible)
Elsewhere, however, Scripture speaks of people who will inherit the earth. The book of Psalms says:
“The righteous shall inherit the earth and live on it forever.” (Ps. 37:29, Interlinear Bible)
Jesus repeated the same promise:
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5, Interlinear Bible)
These statements point to the same distinction we have already seen between those who share in the Kingdom’s rulership and those who live under that rule. Some will inherit God’s Kingdom and share in its rulership, while others will inherit the earth and live under the Kingdom’s rule.
The subjects of God’s Kingdom are therefore not separate from the Kingdom’s rule. They will live on the earth under its rule and benefit from the dominion that God’s Kingdom exercises over the earth.
The Living and the Dead
The rule of God’s Kingdom will not affect only those who are living on the earth when the Kingdom takes power. The Bible shows that the dead will also be raised.
Jesus said:
“Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear His voice. And they will come out, the ones having done good into a resurrection of life; and the ones having practiced evil into a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28–29, Interlinear Bible)
Paul likewise spoke of “a resurrection of both the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15).
The resurrection, however, does not mean that all those who are raised will automatically receive everlasting life. Revelation describes how the dead are brought forth and stand for judgment:
“And I saw the dead, the small and the great, standing before God. And books were opened. And another Book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books, according to their works.” (Rev. 20:12, Interlinear Bible)
The account continues by saying that the sea, death, and Hades give up the dead in them, and that each one is judged according to their works (Rev. 20:13).
The subjects of God’s Kingdom therefore include not only those who are alive when the Kingdom takes power. Through the resurrection, those who have died will also be brought back to life. They will face judgment, and those who receive life on earth will live under the rule of God’s Kingdom.
Brief Summary
The Bible shows that God’s Kingdom will rule over people and nations on the earth. There is therefore a clear distinction between those who share in the Kingdom’s rulership and those who live under that rule.
Some will inherit God’s Kingdom and share in its rulership, while others will inherit the earth and live under the Kingdom’s rule. These people are the subjects of God’s Kingdom.
The Kingdom’s rule will not affect only those who are alive when it takes power. The Bible shows that the dead will also be raised and face judgment. Those who receive life on earth will live under the rule of God’s Kingdom.
God’s Kingdom is therefore a heavenly Kingdom, but its subjects will live on the earth. It is over these people and nations that the Kingdom will exercise its rule.
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