The main theme of the Bible has to do with God’s Kingdom. Jehovah will use that Kingdom to accomplish his original purpose for the earth. What is the Kingdom? How do we know it is ruling now? What has it already accomplished? And what will it do in the future? This lesson and the next two lessons will answer those questions.

1. What is God’s Kingdom, and who is its King?

The Kingdom is a government set up by Jehovah God. Its King, Jesus Christ, rules from heaven. (Matthew 4:17; John 18:36) The Bible says of Jesus: “He will rule as King . . . forever.” (Luke 1:32, 33) As King of God’s Kingdom, Jesus will rule over everyone on the earth.

2. Who rule with Jesus?

Jesus does not rule alone. Persons from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation . . . are to rule as kings over the earth.” (Revelation 5:9, 10) How many will rule with Christ? Since Jesus came to earth, millions of Christians have become his followers. But only 144,000 of them go to heaven to rule with Jesus. (Read Revelation 14:1-4.) All other Christians on earth will become citizens of the Kingdom.​—Psalm 37:29.

3. How is God’s Kingdom superior to human governments?

Even when human rulers try to do good things, they do not have the power to do everything they want. They are eventually replaced by other rulers who may not have the best interests of their subjects in mind. But the Ruler of God’s Kingdom, Jesus, will never be replaced by anyone else. God has “set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44) Jesus will rule over the whole earth, and he will not show favoritism. He is loving, kind, and just, and he will teach people to treat one another in the same way​—with love, kindness, and justice.​—Read Isaiah 11:9.

4. A powerful government will rule over the whole earth

Jesus Christ has more power to govern than any ruler in history. Read Matthew 28:18, and then discuss this question:

• How is Jesus’ authority superior to that of any human ruler?

Human governments change often, and each one rules over only a portion of the earth. What about God’s Kingdom? Read Daniel 7:14, and then discuss these questions:

• Why is it good that God’s Kingdom “will not be destroyed”?

• Why is it good that it will rule over the whole earth?

5. Human rule must be replaced

Why must God’s Kingdom replace human governments? Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.

VIDEO: What Is God’s Kingdom?​—Excerpt (1:41)

• What has been the result of human rule?

Read Ecclesiastes 8:9, and then discuss these questions:

• Do you think God’s Kingdom should replace human governments? Why?

6. God’s Kingdom has rulers who understand us

Because our King, Jesus, lived as a human, he can “sympathize with our weaknesses.” (Hebrews 4:15) The 144,000 faithful men and women who will rule with Jesus have been chosen by Jehovah “out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”​—Revelation 5:9.

• Do you find it reassuring that Jesus and all of his corulers know what it is like to live as a human? Why?

7. God’s Kingdom has superior laws

Governments make laws that are supposed to benefit and protect their citizens. God’s Kingdom too has laws that its citizens must follow. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and then discuss these questions:

• What do you think the world will be like when everyone follows God’s rules of conduct?a

• Do you think it is reasonable for Jehovah to expect citizens of the Kingdom to respect these rules? Why?

• What shows that people who are not obeying these laws can change?​—See verse 11.

SUMMARY

God’s Kingdom is a real government in heaven that will rule over the whole earth.

Review

• Who are the rulers of God’s Kingdom?

• How is God’s Kingdom superior to any human government?

• What are some things that Jehovah expects of citizens of the Kingdom?

EXPLORE

Consider what Jesus taught about the location of the Kingdom.

“Is the Kingdom of God in Your Heart?” (Web article)

Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses choose loyalty to God’s Kingdom over loyalty to human rule?

Devoted to God’s Kingdom (1:43)

Examine what the Bible reveals about the 144,000 whom Jehovah chooses to rule with Jesus.

“Who Go to Heaven?” (Web article)

What convinced a woman in prison that only God can bring about a just world?

“How I Found the Answer to Injustice” (Awake!, November 2011)

God’s Kingdom started ruling in heaven in the year 1914. That is also when the last days of human rule began. How do we know? Consider Bible prophecy and the conditions and attitudes that have been evident since 1914.

1. What does Bible prophecy indicate?

The Bible book of Daniel indicated that God’s Kingdom would begin ruling at the end of a period called “seven times.” (Daniel 4:16, 17) Centuries later, Jesus referred to that same time period as “the appointed times of the nations,” and he taught that it had not yet ended. (Luke 21:24) As we will see, the seven times ended in the year 1914.

2. What conditions and attitudes have been evident since 1914?

Jesus’ disciples asked him: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matthew 24:3) In answer, Jesus foretold many things that would happen after he began ruling in heaven as King of God’s Kingdom. Some of these include war, food shortages, and earthquakes. (Read Matthew 24:7.) The Bible also foretold that people’s attitudes in “the last days” would make life “hard to deal with.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5) These conditions and attitudes have especially been evident since 1914.

3. Why have conditions become so bad since God’s Kingdom began ruling?

Shortly after Jesus became King of God’s Kingdom, he went to war in heaven against Satan and the demons. Satan lost that war. The Bible says that “he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.” (Revelation 12:9, 10, 12) Satan is very angry because he knows he will be destroyed. So he causes pain and suffering all over the earth. No wonder world conditions are so bad! God’s Kingdom will undo all these problems.

DIG DEEPER

4. The Bible’s chronology points to 1914

VIDEO: God’s Kingdom Began Ruling in 1914 (5:02)

God caused King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon to have a prophetic dream. That dream and the interpretation Daniel gave indicate that it applies both to Nebuchadnezzar’s rulership and to God’s Kingdom.​—Read Daniel 4:17.a

Read Daniel 4:20-26, and then use the chart to answer the following questions:

• (A) What did Nebuchadnezzar see in his dream?​—See verses 20 and 21.

• (B) What would happen to the tree?​—See verse 23.

• (C) What would happen at the end of the “seven times”?​—See verse 26.

How the Tree Dream Relates to God’s Kingdom

THE PROPHECY (Daniel 4:20-36)

Rulership

(A) An enormous tree

Rulership interrupted

(B) “Chop down the tree,” and let “seven times pass”

Rulership restored

(C) “Your kingdom will be yours again”

In the first fulfillment of this prophecy . . .

• (D) Whom did the tree represent?​—See verse 22.

• (E) How was his rulership interrupted?​—Read Daniel 4:29-33.

• (F) What happened to Nebuchadnezzar at the end of the “seven times”?​—Read Daniel 4:34-36.

FIRST FULFILLMENT

Rulership

(D) Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon

Rulership interrupted

(E) After 606 B.C.E., Nebuchadnezzar loses his sanity and is unable to rule for seven literal years

Rulership restored

(F) Nebuchadnezzar regains his sanity and begins ruling again

In the second fulfillment of this prophecy . . .

• (G) Whom did the tree represent?​—Read 1 Chronicles 29:23.

• (H) How was their rulership interrupted? How do we know that it was still interrupted while Jesus was on earth?​—Read Luke 21:24.

• (I) When and where was this rulership restored?

SECOND FULFILLMENT

Rulership

(G) Israelite kings who represent God’s rulership

Rulership interrupted

(H) Jerusalem is destroyed, interrupting the line of Israelite kings for 2,520 years

Rulership restored

(I) Jesus begins ruling in heaven as King of God’s Kingdom

5. The world has changed since 1914

Play the VIDEO.

VIDEO: The World Has Changed Since 1914 (1:10)

Jesus foretold world conditions that would be evident after he became King. Read Luke 21:9-11, and then discuss this question:

• Which of these conditions have you observed or heard about?

The apostle Paul described what people would be like in the last days of human rule. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and then discuss this question:

• Which of these attitudes have you noted in people today?

6. The rule of God’s Kingdom should motivate us

Read Matthew 24:3, 14, and then discuss these questions:

• What important work shows that God’s Kingdom is now ruling?

• How can you have a share in this work?

God’s Kingdom is now ruling, and the day when it takes full control of the earth is near. Read Hebrews 10:24, 25, and then discuss this question:

• What should each of us do as we “see the day drawing near”?

SUMMARY

Bible prophecy, chronology, and world conditions prove that God’s Kingdom is now ruling. We show that we believe this by preaching about it and attending congregation meetings.

Review

• What happened at the end of the seven times foretold in the Bible book of Daniel?

• What convinces you that God’s Kingdom began ruling in 1914?

• How can you show that you believe the Kingdom is ruling now?

EXPLORE

Consider what historians and others say about changes in the world since 1914.

“When Morals Declined Dramatically” (Awake!, April 2007)

Read how the prophecy found at Matthew 24:14 affected one man’s life.

“I Loved Baseball More Than Anything!” (The Watchtower No. 3 2017)

How do we know that the prophecy recorded in Daniel chapter 4 applies to God’s Kingdom?

“When Did God’s Kingdom Begin Ruling? (Part 1)” (The Watchtower, October 1, 2014)

What indicates that the “seven times” mentioned in Daniel chapter 4 ended in 1914?

“When Did God’s Kingdom Begin Ruling? (Part 2)” (The Watchtower, November 1, 2014)

God’s Kingdom is already ruling. Soon it will make big changes on the earth. Let us consider some of the good things that you can look forward to under Kingdom rule.

1. How will God’s Kingdom restore peace and justice to the earth?

Jesus, the King of God’s Kingdom, will destroy wicked people and governments at the war of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:14, 16) At that time, the following Bible promise will be completely fulfilled: “Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more.” (Psalm 37:10) Through the Kingdom, Jesus will make sure that peace and justice fill the earth.​—Read Isaiah 11:4.

2. What will life be like when God’s will is done on earth?

Under the rule of God’s Kingdom, “the righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.” (Psalm 37:29) Imagine living in a world where everyone is righteous and all love Jehovah and each other! No one will get sick, and everyone will live forever.

3. What will God’s Kingdom accomplish after the wicked are destroyed?

After the wicked are destroyed, Jesus will rule as King for 1,000 years. During that time, he and his 144,000 corulers will help humans on earth to become perfect and sinless. By the end of that period, the earth will be turned into a beautiful paradise, filled with happy people who benefit from obeying Jehovah’s laws. Jesus will then hand the rulership back to his Father, Jehovah. As never before, Jehovah’s “name [will] be sanctified.” (Matthew 6:9, 10) It will have been proved that Jehovah is a good Ruler who cares about his subjects. Jehovah will then destroy Satan, the demons, and any others who choose to rebel against His rulership. (Revelation 20:7-10) The perfect conditions brought about by God’s Kingdom will last forever.

DIG DEEPER

4. God’s Kingdom will end human governments

“Man has dominated man to his harm.” (Ecclesiastes 8:9) By means of his Kingdom, Jehovah will reverse this injustice.

Read Daniel 2:44 and 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8, and then discuss these questions:

• How will Jehovah and his Son, Jesus, deal with human governments and their supporters?

• How does what you have learned about Jehovah and Jesus assure you that their actions will be just and fair?

5. Jesus is an ideal King

As King of God’s Kingdom, Jesus will do much for the benefit of his earthly subjects. Play the VIDEO to see how Jesus has already shown that he has both the desire and the God-given power to help people.

VIDEO: Jesus Showed What the Kingdom Will Accomplish (1:13)

While on earth, Jesus gave a preview of what the Kingdom would accomplish. Which blessings listed here do you especially look forward to? Read the accompanying scriptures that relate to those blessings.

6. God’s Kingdom will bring a wonderful future

VIDEO: A Glimpse Into a Wonderful Future (4:38)

Read Psalm 145:16, and then discuss this question:

• How does it make you feel to know that Jehovah will “satisfy the desire of every living thing”?

SUMMARY

God’s Kingdom will accomplish its goal. It will transform the earth into a global paradise filled with good people who will worship Jehovah forever.

Review

• How will God’s Kingdom sanctify Jehovah’s name?

• Why can we believe that God’s Kingdom will fulfill the Bible’s promises?

• What accomplishment of the Kingdom do you especially look forward to?

EXPLORE

Find out what Armageddon means.

“What Is the Battle of Armageddon?” (Web article)

Examine the events that will occur during what Jesus called the “great tribulation.”​—Matthew 24:21.

“What Is the Great Tribulation?” (Web article)

See how families can meditate together on future Kingdom blessings.

See Yourself in Paradise (1:50)

In “I Was Troubled by Many Questions,” learn how a political rebel found the solutions he was looking for.

“The Bible Changes Lives” (The Watchtower, January 1, 2012)