His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the meaning of the word “Kingdom” as mentioned in the Holy Bible, showing that it carries several spiritual and doctrinal dimensions. Understanding these dimensions helps the believer realize God’s work in the heart, in the Church, and in eternal life.

📖 First: The Meanings of the Kingdom in the Holy Bible

1️⃣ The Inner Kingdom in the Heart of the Believer

It refers to God’s reign within the believer’s heart, where God rules over the thoughts, emotions, and conscience. This is the meaning of: “The Kingdom of God is within you.”

2️⃣ God’s Kingdom on Earth (Spread of Faith)

This refers to the spreading of the Gospel message throughout the whole world, as the Lord said that the Gospel will be preached to all nations before the end. This was fulfilled in the apostolic generation when the faith spread east and west within a short period.

3️⃣ The Eternal Kingdom of Heaven

It is the eternal kingdom prepared for the believers since the foundation of the world, where eternal life and everlasting joy are found, as written in Matthew: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…”

4️⃣ The Kingdom of the Cross

This is the reign of Christ over the world through the cross, after evil was once considered “the ruler of this world.” Through the cross, the Lord became King, as mentioned in the Psalms of the Ninth Hour: “The Lord reigns.”

📜 Spiritual Summary

The Kingdom is not a single concept but God’s work in the heart, the spread of the faith on earth, the eternal hope, and Christ’s reign through the cross. It is a call for every believer to let God reign over their life, participate in building His Kingdom on earth, and await the eternal Kingdom prepared for them.

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