And another thought. Will we rule over the nation's in only a spiritual sense? Will there be no actual bodies?
I understand there will be a tangible new earth. Does that mean I can't understand that the kingdom is within me? Does it mean that I hurt and hinder others by my belief? Do I encourage them to not seek the kingdom because I believe the new earth will be tangible?
It seems to me that the confusion and controversy about the kingdom of God is a result of the either/or thinking that ByGrace mentioned earlier in this thread. Some Christians say the kingdom of God is now and that Christians should take political power (Kingdom Now theology); others say it's in the future. But I believe it's both--that the kingdom of God is active and working in us and through us now with mighty demonstrations of God's power AND that Christ will establish His kingdom government on earth in the future. So, Christians experience one level of His kingdom here and now and a whole other level of it when Christ reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords on this earth.
John the Baptist proclaimed that the kingdom of God is "near" or "at hand" (Mark 1:15). I take this to mean within reach. Of course, Jesus said the kingdom of God within us. Various verses say that Jesus preached the Gospel of the kingdom. He demonstrated the power of the kingdom by healing people and casting out demons. The apostles demonstrated the power of God's kingdom in the same way. Paul spent the last 2 years of his life proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here's an interesting anecdote that I believe shows that at one level believers can experience the power of God's kingdom here and now. Sandra Kennedy, who has had a powerful healing ministry for years, tells this story:
One of the first miracles I witnessed was with my own mother who was dying of cancer. My family called me home because Mama was in a coma and the doctors said she only had a few days to live. On the airplane the Lord spoke to me and said, “Tell your mother, ‘Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.’ Tell your mother there is no sickness in heaven!”
She and her sister repeated this to their mom for 5 hours. Her mom came to and Sandra told her that she had a choice to live or die. Her mom chose to live and was healed. I think Sandra has said that her mom lived another 20 years....