The kingdom of God is a prophetic revelation of reality. And our present reality is living in this present evil age under the rule of Satan. But because of Jesus we can experience what we call breakthroughs, of God’s power and God’s rule from the future age into this present age.

Now when you open the pages of the New Testament you may be struck by the fact that the mission of Jesus was to destroy the activity of Satan in the world.

Matthew’s gospel (12:22-31) clearly demonstrates that the war between Jesus and Satan is not a civil war within a kingdom. Rather it is a battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Accordingly the term, the kingdom of God, was frequently on Jesus’ lips and it was central to his proclamation and works. What Jesus did was just as important as what he said. And what he did carried the same message. Jesus brought the rule of God from the future into the present in his ministry of healing the sick and casting out demons.

The kingdom of God can provides a basis or framework for understanding and relating to God’s word and work as recorded in the Bible. In fact, it is interesting to note that in the beginning of the Bible we are told about the way it was, and at the end of it, how it’s going to be (the future age).

In the beginning, Genesis 1, 2, & 3: Chapter 1 & 2 is set before the event, which Christians call the Fall of man. God is revealed as the creator. Everything he created is good (1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, and 31). No sin, no pain, no sickness, no death, no heart-aches, no shame; there is intimate fellowship with God.

In Chapter 3, we lost it all. We entered into total depravity – and there is no way home, by our own strength or abilities.

God alone can save the day, and from the very beginning, God is prepared to step up and do the work of restoration. God prophesies that one day there will be a complete restoration. There would be a sacrifice involving the shedding of the blood of an innocent to give us a covering. We will be able to freely approach God, without shame and condemnation. And the Enemy would be defeated and crushed. 3:21, 15.

Satan is therefore the original usurper of authority. By deceiving Adam and Eve and he become the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4). Satan together with the other angels who join forces with him in the rebellion against God takes charge of this world. Sin (wrong doings and wickedness), sickness and death have come into this present evil age.

At the end, Revelation 21 & 22: In Chapter 22, verse 7 John the Apostle is reminded that Jesus will come soon, and the age to come will start. 21:3-4 describes the full restoration: Again there will be no sin, no pain, no sickness, no death, no heart-aches, and no shame. There is intimate fellowship with God, for the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. There is a new heaven and a new earth and the old order of things has passed away. The consummation of the kingdom of God occurs and as expressed in the song of Moses (Exodus 15:18) the Lord will reign for ever and ever.

In between, Genesis 4 to Revelations 20, we learn more about the character, ways, purpose and provisions of God. There is the outworking of the consequences of Adam’s choice, and the story of how God lives up to and works out his declaration that he would step up to restore what was lost.

The Messiah, Christ (the Anointed One) is promised in the Old Testament. He is the one who would come to defeat all evil, demons, sickness and death, and save his people. God promised to establish His kingdom by destroying the kingdom of darkness, and heaven will come to earth! And so in Revelations chapter 20 (before the vision of the age to come) John saw Satan and his angels damned and thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever, and the dead are judged.

God is passionate about his work of restoration and he gives us in the Bible many imageries of the richness, fullness and beauty of the kingdom of God. Just a few (non exhaustive) examples are:
(1) Solomon’s party (1 King 8:63,65)
(2) David’s party (Psalm 23:5-6)
(3) Life giving river (Ezekiel 47:9-12)
(4) God’s power and dominion (Daniel 7:13-14, 27)
(5) God’s protection (Psalm 91)

These imageries should inspire us to join in God’s work of invading this present evil age with his kingdom rule, and the power of the age to come.

As for John Wimber, he simply looked at Jesus’ pattern of ministry: his proclamation and demonstration of the kingdom of God.

Even when he was a successful pastor, John remained uneasy and sensed a gap between the early Disciples' experience as they spread the gospel of the kingdom of God and what his own congregation experienced. Learning about the kingdom of God made all the different for John and the Vineyard churches. John began to express our mission in terms of rescuing those who have been captive as a result of Adam’s fall. He was so excited about the prospect of the people being equipped to go out and preach and demonstrate the gospel, engaging in power encounters and experiencing the signs of the kingdom.