Entering the Kingdom of God" Something That Happens Here on Earth, or Is It Heaven?
I've been studying this question, and my personal conclusion is that when the Bible speaks about entering the Kingdom of God, it is ultimately referring to entering God's eternal kingdom in heaven—not simply experiencing a better life or a spiritual reality here on earth.
There are certainly verses that teach God's rule is active in the lives of believers today. Christians submit to Christ as King now (Colossians 1:13), but I don't believe that is the same thing as entering the Kingdom in its fullest sense.
I don't think regeneration is entering the kingdom
Consider these passages:
Matthew 7:21
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
Jesus speaks of a future entrance, not merely a present experience. He also contrasts those who think they belong with those who actually will enter.
Matthew 25:34
"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'"
This takes place at the final judgment. The inheritance of the Kingdom is presented as a future event.
John 3:3-5
"Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."
Being born again is the requirement to enter the Kingdom
1 Corinthians 15:50
"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable."
Paul says our present physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom. That points to our future resurrection and eternal life.
2 Peter 1:10-11
"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure... for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Peter describes entrance into the everlasting Kingdom as something still ahead for believers.
2 Timothy 4:18
"And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom."
Paul expected to enter Christ's heavenly Kingdom after this life.
Revelation 21:1-4 John describes the eternal dwelling of God with His people after sin, death, and suffering are gone forever. This is the complete fulfillment of God's Kingdom.
Some point to Luke 17:20-21, where Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is in your midst." I understand this to mean the King Himself was standing among them. God's reign had arrived in the person of Christ, but that is different from the final inheritance of the eternal Kingdom.
The New Testament repeatedly speaks of believers inheriting, entering, or receiving the Kingdom as something connected with Christ's return, the resurrection, and eternal life.
For me, the biblical picture is this:
We live under Christ's rule now. We are citizens of His Kingdom now (Philippians 3:20). But we fully enter and inherit His everlasting Kingdom when we are with Him forever. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please keep the discussion respectful, and let's let Scripture be our authority.