a righteous government

Way back in history, for a long time it was widely taught that the church on earth was the very Kingdom of God. This belief grew strong in the period when the church based in Rome held huge power across much of the world. By the later Middle Ages, popes had become so strong in politics that they rivalled kings in authority, commanding armies and shaping the affairs of countries.

One historian commented that the popes copied the style of kings and worked hard to act as judges in matters of this world. Religious leaders claimed that their power came straight from God. In time, kings of growing nation-states made the same claim and said they ruled by God’s will. A well-known Catholic reference work explains that the teaching of divine right allowed kings of national states to present their authority as just as sacred as that of the pope.

But did these rulers, both popes and kings, live up to what they claimed? Did they give people peace, freedom, and real happiness? No, they certainly did not! Their rule, more often than not, brought cruelty and unfair treatment. Many people were driven into pointless wars and brutal crusades that destroyed families and communities. Harsh inquisitions tortured and killed great numbers of people in terrible ways. It is a deep insult to God to confuse his true Kingdom with rule by corrupt church leaders or ambitious kings who claimed divine backing for their power.

Whereas, God’s Kingdom is a genuine government established by our God, Jehovah – [yes, that’s His name.] In Scripture, it is referred to both as “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven”, the latter emphasising its heavenly origin and authority –

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galʹi·lee, preaching the good news of God 15 and saying, “The appointed time has been fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent, and have faith in the good news.” (Mark 1:14–15).

Compared to human governments, it surpasses them all, and some, in every respect!

Rulers

Jehovah has appointed His son, Jesus Christ, as King, granting him authority far beyond that of any earthly leader:

“18 Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth..”— (Matthew 28:18).

Jesus exercises this power with unwavering goodness, having demonstrated himself to be a trustworthy and compassionate guide.

“Then he went throughout the whole of Galʹi·lee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the Kingdom and curing every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity among the people.”—(Matthew 4:23

Under divine direction, he has chosen individuals from every nation to reign alongside him in heaven as kings over the earth.:

” 9 And they sing a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, for you were slaughtered and with your blood you bought people for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.” (Revelation 5:9–10).

Duration

Unlike human governments that rise and fall, God’s Kingdom is eternal. It “will never be brought to ruin” (Daniel 2:44). Anyone who lives in harmony with God’s will can become a subject of His Kingdom, regardless of background or nationality:

” 34 At this Peter began to speak, and he said: “Now I truly understand that God is not partial, 35 but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”—(Acts 10:34–35).

Laws

The laws of God’s Kingdom do more than forbid wrongdoing—they elevate the moral character of its people. The Bible teaches, ‘You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the greatest commandment. The second is like it: ‘You must love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matthew 22:37–39). Such love inspires Kingdom subjects to act in the best interests of others.

Education

Though the standards of God’s Kingdom are high, it provides the guidance needed to meet them.

” 17 This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. 18  If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”—Isaiah 48:17,18

Mission

Unlike worldly governments that often benefit rulers at the expense of the ones they are supposed to serve, God’s Kingdom fulfils divine purposes. It promises everlasting life on a paradise earth to those who love God.

” ¹ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. ⁴  And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”—Revelation 21:1-4

The earth’s purpose

God did not make the earth as a test site to add to his spirit sons in heaven, as many mainstream churches teach. He made it for a clear reason; it was meant to be lived on.

“For this is what Jehovah says, The Creator of the heavens, the true God, The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited: “I am Jehovah, and there is no one else.“ – (Isaiah, 45, 18)

The earth was made for humans, and humans were made to live on the earth.

‘As for the heavens, they belong to Jehovah, But the earth he has given to the sons of men.’ – (Psalm, 115, 16)

The whole planet was meant to become a paradise, filled with righteous people who would farm it and care for it.

” ²⁶ Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.” ²⁷ And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him. ²⁸ Further, God blessed them, and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens” —(Genesis 1:26-28).