Kingdom of Grace – Kingdom of Righteousness – Kingdom of Glory
Jesus’ central message was about the Kingdom of God (Matt. 4:17; Mark 1:14–15).
The Kingdom is not revealed in one single event, but unfolds in phases, moving from spiritual experience to literal fulfillment.
The whole truth (Isa. 28:10, 13; John 16:13) shows progressive stages in God’s work to establish His everlasting kingdom.
Definition: God’s merciful reign established through Christ’s sacrifice, offering pardon and reconciliation.
Genesis 3:15 – The promise of redemption was the first manifestation of God’s grace after the fall.
John 1:17 – “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
Hebrews 4:16 – We are invited to come “boldly to the throne of grace.”
Matthew 26:28 – Christ’s blood “shed for many for the remission of sins.”
“The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race.”
But when the Saviour yielded up His life, and with His expiring breath cried out, "It is finished," then the fulfillment of the plan of redemption was assured. The promise of salvation made to the sinful pair in Eden was ratified. The kingdom of grace, which had before existed by the promise of God, was then established. {GC 347.2}
Thus the death of Christ--the very event which the disciples had looked upon as the final destruction of their hope --was that which made it forever sure. {GC 348.1}
The cross was the full establishment of the Kingdom of Grace: “When the Saviour yielded up His life, and with His expiring breath cried out, ‘It is finished,’ then the fulfillment of the plan of redemption was assured.”
This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, "It is finished," He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, "I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am." John 19:30; 17:24. {DA 834.2}
We enter the Kingdom of Grace when we repent, believe, and surrender to Christ (Eph. 2:8; Col. 1:13).
Definition: Christ’s righteous rule in the hearts of His people, producing obedience, sanctification, and a holy nation prepared for His coming kingdom.
Romans 14:17 – “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
Matthew 6:33 – “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
Jeremiah 23:6 – “The LORD our Righteousness.”
Ezekiel 36:26–27 – God writes His law in the heart, enabling obedience.
Isaiah 1:26 – Promise of restoration of judges and counselors, “afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.”
“The kingdom of God begins in the heart. Look not here or there for manifestations of earthly power to mark its coming.”
Jesus answered, "The kingdom of God cometh not with outward show; [margin]: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." The kingdom of God begins in the heart. Look not here or there for manifestations of earthly power to mark its coming. {DA 506.2}
"The days will come," He said, turning to His disciples, "when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it." {DA 506.3}
“The work of transformation from unholiness to holiness is a continuous work. Day by day God labors for man’s sanctification, and man is to cooperate with Him, putting forth persevering effort in the cultivation of right habits.”
True sanctification comes through the working out of the principle of love. "God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16. The life of him in whose heart Christ abides, will reveal practical godliness. The character will be purified, elevated, ennobled, and glorified. Pure doctrine will blend with works of righteousness; heavenly precepts will mingle with holy practices. {AA 560.1}
The sealing (Rev. 7; Ezek. 9) marks the establishment of a purified, righteous kingdom-church.
This phase represents the investigative judgment, sanctification, and purification of God’s church before the close of probation.
It is a preparatory kingdom of holiness, fitted for translation (Isa. 62:12).
Definition: The final, literal, visible reign of Christ with His saints—first on earth in the premillennial kingdom, then in eternity after sin is destroyed.
Daniel 2:44 – God will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.
Matthew 25:31–34 – “Then shall the King say… Come, ye blessed… inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ.”
Isaiah 2:2–4; Micah 4:1–2 – God’s kingdom established on earth, all nations flow unto it.
Revelation 21:1–4 – New earth, the eternal phase of glory.
“The kingdom of glory has not yet been established. Not until the second coming of Christ will the kingdom of glory be ushered in.”
The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race. It then existed in the purpose and by the promise of God; and through faith, men could become its subjects. Yet it was not actually established until the death of Christ. {GC 347.2}
“The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God’s favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient.”
The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God's favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. For six thousand years Satan has struggled to maintain possession of the earth. Now God's original purpose in its creation is accomplished. "The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever." Daniel 7:18. {PP 342.1}
The redeemed will reign with Christ in glory: “The kingdom of glory will not be ushered in until the second coming of Christ.”
"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." While we are not to know the hour of our Lord's return, we may know when it is near. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6. {DA 235.3}
This is the blessed hope (Titus 2:13), when Christ comes to claim His people, destroy sin, and establish His everlasting dominion.
Grace – Offered at the fall, established at the cross → Justification.
Righteousness – Christ’s reign in His church, producing holiness → Sanctification & sealing.
Glory – Christ’s visible reign with His saints → Glorification & eternal kingdom.
The Kingdom of God unfolds in progressive stages:
From the cross (Grace),
To the church purification and sanctification (Righteousness),
To the final reign of Christ (Glory).
Our calling is to enter the Kingdom of Grace now, live in the Kingdom of Righteousness daily, and prepare for the Kingdom of Glory soon to be revealed.
Appeal Texts:
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (Hebrews 12:28)