“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36 ESV

• Historical Kingdoms

“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it. Daniel said, “I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another.  The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, ‘Arise, devour much meat!’  After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.  After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.” Daniel 7:1-7 NASB 95 

Vs. 4 = Babylon

Vs. 5 = Medes and Persians

Vs. 6 = Greece

Vs. 7 = Rome

• The evil one’s kingdom

“While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts. Daniel 7:8 NASB 95

• The heavenly Kingdom

“I kept looking Until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire. “A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him;” Daniel 7:9-10 NASB 95

• The evil one’s kingdom is overthrown

“The court sat, And the books were opened. Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking; I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time.” Daniel 7:10b-12 NASB 95

“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” John 12:31-32 NASB 95

“But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.” 1 Corinthians 2:8 NLT

• The everlasting King and His Kingdom

“I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven
One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days
And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14 NASB 95

The Kingdoms Of The World V.S The Kingdom Of Jesus

-Power over the weak and poor

Power that serves the weak and poor (Matthew 25:40)

-Looks out for self interest

Looks out for the interest of others (Matthew 16:24)

-Finds its identity in nation, race, ideology, or religion

Finds its identity in being a child of God (Galatians 3:28)

-Is reactionary towards their enemies

Is Christ-like in their response to their enemies (Matthew 6:44)

-Kingdoms and nations are at war with each other

His Kingdom is at war with the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12)

‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

Matthew 6:9-13