God's dominion, referred to in the Greek as basileia, encompasses various aspects as presented in the scriptures. One aspect is future-oriented, embodying the great hope of true Christians that Jesus Christ will return to rule over the earth, resurrecting or changing His saints to inherit the kingdom and rule with Him. Another aspect is the present spiritual reality of God's rulership, where the true church exists as an institution under God's dominion, distinct from temporal civil or political power. A third usage identifies Christ Himself as the kingdom, representing it wherever He is, as He told the Pharisees that the kingdom of God was in their midst. Additionally, God's dominion appears in a historical and national context, as seen in the parable of the wicked vinedressers in Matthew 21:33-45. Here, the kingdom of God, represented as a vineyard, was already in existence and entrusted to the chief priests and elders of Israel, who failed in their stewardship. Christ prophesied that this kingdom would be taken from them and given to a nation bearing its fruits due to their unfaithfulness. Similarly, in the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1-14, God's dominion is depicted through a king whose invitations are rejected by the physical nation of Israel, foreshadowing the destruction of Jerusalem and the transfer of stewardship to a spiritual nation. Scriptural references further affirm that Israel was historically under God's dominion, described as His kingdom from the beginning. Exodus 19:6 states that Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation to God. King David in I Chronicles 29:11 praised God, declaring, "Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all." Psalm 114:2 also notes that Israel became God's dominion, highlighting that the kingdom had its origin and authority in heaven. At the time of Christ, this kingdom existed in an unusual configuration, with its royal line and throne displaced, yet still recognized as under God's dominion. Christ's teachings, including the first four parables in Matthew 13, addressed the state of this physical kingdom, speaking to the multitudes as its remnant citizenry. These parables, including the parable of the leaven, served as a commentary on the kingdom's condition, warning of its potential loss if repentance did not occur.