What does “inherit the kingdom of God” mean?
Question:
The statement in Galatians 5:21, “shall not inherit the kingdom of God,” is often interpreted to mean that Christ will not reign over those who practice such things. Is that correct?
My understanding is that the kingdom of God that will be inherited refers to the eternal heavenly kingdom.
However, someone else argues that the kingdom to be inherited refers to the church, which is where we belong today.
Another person argues that the passage refers to Christ's reign. According to him, those who practice the works of the flesh will not be ruled by Christ, and he claims that this is what the context teaches.
What, then, is the correct interpretation?
Answer:
There are numerous passages stating that God's people will inherit:
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29).
"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (Matthew 25:34).
"Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable" (I Corinthians 15:50).
"who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory" (Ephesians 1:14).
"For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" (Ephesians 5:5).
"giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light" (Colossians 1:12).
"knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve" (Colossians 3:24).
"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:18).
Notice that each refers to a future inheritance. We do not currently possess it. Paul goes further to say that it cannot be received in the physical world (I Corinthians 15:50). Therefore, you are correct that the inheritance refers to entering heaven. The idea that the inheritance is the church here on earth is wrong.
Jesus stated, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18). His authority is not limited to only the righteous. The wicked refuse to acknowledge Jesus and his commands, which is why the lake of fire awaits them (Revelation 21:8). The conclusion, then, is that the wicked will not inherit salvation and the kingdom of God after Jesus returns. Again, these promises are not about our current life but our future.
