The essence of Jesus Christ's message centers on the Kingdom of God, a theme that permeates His ministry and the teachings of His forerunner, John the Baptist, as well as the apostles and Paul. Grasping God's purpose for humanity begins with comprehending this Kingdom, which is represented by the Greek word basileia, meaning dominion. While basileia is often used to signify the future hope of Christ's return to rule over the earth or as a present spiritual reality for those called in this age, it also carries a significant, often-overlooked application. In the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, Jesus declares that the Kingdom of God will be taken from the audience He addresses—chief priests and elders of the people—and given to a nation bearing its fruits. This statement does not refer to the future establishment of Christ's Kingdom on earth, but to a dominion that existed at that time. The parable serves as a rebuke to the nation, highlighting their inability to receive the word of the Kingdom, the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Despite some interest and willingness to repent and be baptized, the people's hearts were far from their King, producing little of value in most cases, as illustrated in the Parable of the Sower. Only those whom God prepares, the good soil, can hear, understand, and bear fruit.

Physical Israel serves as a type of the Kingdom of God, illustrating both the potential and the pitfalls of being part of God's rule. Initially, God offered them the chance to be His Kingdom in a physical sense, to demonstrate how His government operates. However, they rejected Him as their King, desiring a visible, human leader to guide them in battle and represent them. Despite God's immense care and provision, as recorded in Ezekiel 16, where He adorned them with jewels and fine raiment after rescuing them from abandonment, they turned away from Him. This rejection pained God deeply, yet He continued to work with them. Later, Jesus Himself confirmed this rejection, declaring that the Kingdom would be taken from physical Israel and given to a nation redeemed by Him, a holy nation composed of those who were once not a people but are now the people of God. This transition underscores that the Kingdom of God, once offered to physical Israel as a physical representation, was withdrawn due to their refusal to accept God's sovereignty, paving the way for a spiritual fulfillment in those who submit to His rule.

The kingdom of God, as it relates to Israel, was once evident among some of the descendants of Abraham up to and during Christ's ministry. However, as He prophesied in the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers, the kingdom of God will be taken from the leaders of Judah and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. In the parables of Matthew 13, spoken to the multitudes, Christ addressed the degenerate state of the physical nation, highlighting their corrupt beliefs and hardness of heart, which invited demonic influence and prioritized material over spiritual concerns. This spiritual decline, symbolized by leaven in the Parable of the Leaven, corrupted the beliefs and practices of the physical kingdom, leading to opposition from religious leaders who shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. In contrast, the Parable of the Hidden Treasure presents a solution through a priceless element, identified as true faith, which Christ values and cherishes. This faith, given by God, forms the basis of the kingdom now given to a nation that will bear its fruits.

God is always moving toward the establishment of His Kingdom, preparing a people for it. He does not want us looking back at past failures, but rather moving forward with Him. Jesus Christ declared in Matthew 21:43 that the Kingdom of God would be taken from physical Israel and given to a nation bearing its fruits, indicating their failure and God's shift in focus. As part of His plan, God turned from physical Israel, called through Abraham, to institute a new and living way for a relationship with Him under the New Covenant, offering better promises, rewards, access, and a superior High Priest. Presently, God's priorities have shifted from physical Israel to spiritual Israel, the church of God, His elect. Physical Israel has been set aside for now, as stated in Hosea 2:23, where they are declared not His people, a sentiment echoed by Paul in Romans 9 through 11. They will have a future role at the end of this age and in the Millennium, but currently, they are a distraction from pursuing God's promises to us. Our focus must be on spiritual Israel, where God is working now, preparing us with urgency for His Kingdom. We must be in lockstep with Him, bearing the responsibilities of our calling in this age, and focusing on pursuing holy, righteous character for our glorification at the first resurrection and our positions in God's Kingdom thereafter.