After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Somewhere in the last 10 years or so, I stumbled upon a deeper appreciation and understanding of Martin Luther’s explanation to the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed:
I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord,
who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death,
that I may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom [emphasis mine] and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness,
just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.
This is most certainly true.
Learning that the Kingdom of God is best understood as the reign and rule of God rather than an equivalent to an earthly kingdom or nation further illuminated my grasp of this reality. It was then that I also gained a deeper appreciation for the classic Lutheran definition of the Kingdom of God: the gracious reign of Christ in the heart of the believer through faith. God’s kingdom is personal. It is established in the hearts of believers through faith, as the Holy Spirit works to bring people to trust in and follow Christ.
I recall, also that there are three ways of understanding God’s reign and rule: His kingdom of power, kingdom of grace, and kingdom of glory. All people live under God’s kingdom of power. He reigns and rules over all things. Not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father (cf. Matthew 10:29). God reigns in the hearts of believers by faith in the kingdom of grace. His rule is one of undeserved kindness and mercy. It has been made possible by Jesus’ redemptive work. One glorious day we who believe in Jesus will see the hope of Israel and the fullness of God’s reign and rule realized in heaven – his kingdom of glory. This is the future fulfillment of God’s reign when Christ returns, and God’s rule will be fully realized in the New Heaven and New Earth.
The kingdom of glory is the true hope of Israel, and the true hope of all believers. Sometimes we hope for that day urgently. Sometimes we forget it. Sometimes we despise that hope. For that reason we rejoice in God’s grace to us. We remember that we belong to Christ, and repent and believe, living under him in his kingdom. He rules over all things, and the glory of his kingdom to come is more glorious than we can ever imagine.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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