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2) What is a Kingdom?
Jesus expects a 'kingdom' of God on earth. The Old Testament makes mention of many kingdoms, such as Assyria, Babylon and Greecia (Greece). Ancient nations that were powerful were ruled by kings such as Nebuchadnezzar. Darius and the Pharaohs. David and Solomon were well known kings of the ancient Kingdom of Israel. The rise and fall of some these nations and kings are recorded in the Old Testament.
Daniel, a prophet of Israel writing in Babylon (approx 605-540 BCE), puts the role of these nations, or kingdoms into perspective in relationship to a Kingdom of God. Daniel prophesies the destiny of some of the kingdoms of the world, their rise and fall and the fate of their leaders. He proves to Nebuchanezzar that earthly rulership is subject to the will of the Creator and that they have a role in God's ultimate purpose with the earth. Daniel prophesies that in process there will be a time when eventually the Kingdom of God will be on earth and will overthrow all other kingdoms existing at that time. A few examples from the prophet Daniel's writings reveal this.
In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2:44 WEB)
Daniel specifically prophesies that the site of the destruction of the kingdoms will be on Earth, being political powers such as Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. It follows that the new Kingdom of God will replace those that have been destroyed, and therefore that the Kingdom of God is a political Kingdom on Earth.
I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the 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. (Daniel 7:13-14)
Daniel is very specific that the subjects of the Kingdom of God would be many people, many nations and many languages, which indicates that this Kingdom is on Earth.
But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. (Daniel 7:18)
Daniel adds that a class of leaders called “saints of the Most High” will rule over that Kingdom.
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