Many sincere people hold the belief that Christians are supposed to work to usher in both a spiritual and a physical kingdom for God on earth. Some even go so far as to say that Christ will not return until we have done so (a doctrinal error known as either post-millennialism or a-millennialism depending on the particular the details of the belief). While mankind’s attempts to create a physical kingdom for God on earth may be a noble goal, it has often lead to truly abominable things being done “for God.”
The Rotten Fruit of "Kingdom Building"
One such historical stain that has been attributed to Christianity is The Crusades (1095-1492), which included violent attempts to "reclaim" Jerusalem in the name of Christianity. It involved a tremendous amount of bloodshed on all sides, but especially for Jews and Muslims (each of whom claim their own religious right to occupy the city). This sort of behavior - which has absolutely nothing to do with biblical Christianity - is not exclusive to The Crusades, however. Throughout history wicked people have put a veneer of Christianity over their kingdom-building ambitions in an attempt to not only justify them, but to coerce others to participate under the guise of a "clear conscience." The Belgian Congo, spearheaded by the exceedingly violent and wicked Leopold II, is another perfect example of "kingdom-building" with an artificial biblical flavor added. Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, which uses Europe's race to strip the African continent of its natural resources as the catalyst for its plot, includes the following lines as the protagonist, Marlow, speaks to his aunt prior to leaving to captain a steamship on the Congo River for "the Company":
“It appeared, however, I was also one of the Workers, with a capital—you know. Something like an emissary of light, something like a lower sort of apostle. There had been a lot of such rot let loose in print and talk just about that time, and the excellent woman, living right in the rush of all that humbug, got carried off her feet. She talked about ‘weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways,’ till, upon my word, she made me quite uncomfortable. I ventured to hint that the Company was run for profit.”
While Marlow's aunt certainly believes in the deep spiritual value of Marlow's new role within "the Company," Marlow himself is clearly more skeptical, always keeping one wary eye on the the Company's bottom line: money.
Colonialism verses Evangelism
Much of the Christianized "kingdom building" efforts focus on a physical domain and amount to little more than colonialism. Colonialism is expanding a physical domain by spreading cultural values (often through physical conflict). Wicked men simply use Christianized language in order to deceive, while deceived men believe that part of bringing someone to "salvation" is to make them look, act, eat, talk, and live just like they do. In both cases, pride is unavoidable - either "these people (and their valuables) belong to me" or "these people could not possibly be right with God unless they are just like me."
Contrast such behavior with evangelism, which expands a spiritual domain by spreading the gospel (often at great personal risk). This includes the efforts of people like…
Hudson Taylor (China)
David Livingstone (Africa)
Adoniram Judson (Burma)
William Carrey (India)
Mary Slessor (Nigeria)
Jim and Elisabeth Elliot (Tribes in Ecuador)
David Brainerd (Native Americans)
Amy Carmichael (India)
While you and I may not agree on every doctrinal issue with the men and women listed above, we cannot deny that their intentions - and the results of their labor - are vastly different than anything seen in The Crusades or the Belgian Congo. Rather than attempting to change the culture, they sought to change the hearts. Rather than foisting their way of living on those they sought to reach, they learned to live among them. Rather than marching in under the flag of their nation, they humbly walked in with a Bible in hand.
The question is how could both groups claim to be doing "God's work" despite one being so reprehensible? The whole tangle of human misunderstanding on the topic can be easily corrected by simply allowing the Bible to speak for itself, so let's do exactly that.
The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God
The error described above often comes from confusing the Kingdom of Heaven (referenced 30 times exclusively in the book of Matthew) with the Kingdom of God (referenced 64 times in Matthew through II Thessalonians). When you compare the passages, the kingdoms do clearly share some similarities, they cannot be the same...
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation…
Luke 17:20-21
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
I Corinthians 15:50
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Matthew 11:21
These two kingdoms are clearly distinct. One is physical, and one is spiritual. One for those one who believe the gospel, and one is for the nation of Israel, hence the disciples asking Jesus the question…
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Acts 1:6
Those who make them interchangeable often come conclude that the Church has replaced Israel, and so they attempt to set up both a spiritual and a physical kingdom - trying to preach the gospel, and to make the world conform to biblical values. They are trying to make both kingdoms come together, but that will ONLY happen when Christ returns…
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 11:15
In the meantime, the physical world is under Satan’s thumb…
And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.
Luke 4:5-7
II Corinthians 4:4 shows that, for the time being, Satan is the “god of this world.”
This explains why the world is becoming less godly rather than more godly, which God plainly told us would happen…
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God…
II Timothy 3:1-4
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
II Timothy 3:12-13
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Revelation 13:4-7
But in the end, JESUS WINS, and He will establish a physical kingdom that corresponds with His spiritual kingdom.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:11-16
So what's the bottom line? What is a sincere, Bible-believing Christian to do? It's quite simple, really.
Build the Lord's spiritual kingdom by sharing the clear Gospel with anyone and everyone in any way you can.
Set your affections on things above (Colossians 3:2) and don't pay much mind to the "changing the culture." When people get saved, then the culture will change, and it will look biblical, not American, or British, or Italian, or Chinese, or any other man-made way of living.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who will set up a physical kingdom, and when He does it then it will be done right, it will be done swiftly, and it will be done permanently. After the millennial reign of Christ on earth, the foes of the Lord will be defeated once and for all, and His kingdom will carry on into a sinless eternity.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Revelation 20:6
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Revelation 21:1-7
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5
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