When we think about the Bible, it’s easy to get lost in the stories, characters, and teachings. However, understanding the Bible can be simplified in a powerful way. Every story in the Bible revolves around three key themes: a King, a Kingdom, and a Royal Family. God’s plan for all creation is for Him to rule in Heaven, establish His Kingdom on Earth, and reign through the hearts of His children—believers, who are members of His Royal Family. Grasping these three components makes it easier to interpret God’s Word and apply His teachings to our lives.

The King

From Genesis to Revelation, we see that God is the ultimate King. He reigns in Heaven as the ruler of the universe with authority, righteousness, and love. His rule is characterized by justice, mercy, and grace. It’s through Yeshua, Jesus, that we see God’s kingship come in the form of a human as the Son of God.

1. Psalm 47:7 (NIV) – “For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.”
2. Isaiah 33:22 (NIV) – “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.”
3. Revelation 19:16 (NIV) – “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.”
4. 1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV) – “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
5. Psalm 24:10 (NIV) – “Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.”
6. John 1:49 (NIV) – “Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.'”
7. Psalm 145:13 (NIV) – “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.”

The Kingdom

A king isn’t a king without a kingdom. The Bible is also about God’s Kingdom—His rule and reign over all creation. This Kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope. It’s present in the sense that God is actively working in the world today, establishing His rule in the hearts of people. It’s future because we look forward to a time when God’s reign will be fully established on the entire Earth, bringing justice and restoration to all.

1. Matthew 6:10 (NIV) – “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
2. Matthew 4:17 (NIV) – “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'”
3. Revelation 11:15 (NIV) – “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.'”
4. 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV) – “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
5. Daniel 2:44 (NIV) – “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.”
6. Colossians 1:13 (NIV) – “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”
7. Mark 1:15 (NIV) – “‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’”

The Royal Family

Finally, the Bible is about a Royal Family—God’s people. In the Old Testament, this begins with Israel, God’s chosen nation. In the New Testament, it expands to include all who follow Jesus, making up the church. We are called to live as members, or citizens, of this royal family, reflecting the King’s character and advancing His Kingdom on earth.

1. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
2. Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) – “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”
3. Galatians 3:26 (NIV) – “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.”
4. Romans 8:17 (NIV) – “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
5. Revelation 1:6 (NIV) – “And has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”
6. 1 John 3:1 (NIV) – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
7. Philippians 3:20 (NIV) – “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Putting It All Together

Understanding the Bible through the lens of a King, a Kingdom, and a Royal Family simplifies and enhances our reading. It helps us see the big picture and understand our place in God’s grand story. This unified narrative invites us into a relationship with the King, participation in His Kingdom, and citizenship in His Royal Family.

By keeping these three themes in mind, we can navigate the Bible with a clearer sense of direction and purpose. We see God not just as a distant and invisible figure, but as our eternal, powerful, and almighty King. We recognize that we’re part of a Kingdom that brings hope and transformation. And we understand our identity as beloved members of His Royal Family, called to live out God’s love in the world.