When we think of kingdoms, one of the first things that comes to mind is their need for continuity. In ancient times, the survival of a kingdom depended on its ability to grow and sustain its population—primarily through procreation. The family unit was not only the building block of society but also a symbol of hope for the future. But what happens when we shift our focus from earthly kingdoms to the eternal Kingdom of God? How does such a kingdom grow and thrive? This question takes us on a fascinating journey through Scripture, where we discover that the vehicle for “procreation” in God’s Kingdom has shifted from physical reproduction to something far more profound: the teaching and spreading of the Gospel.
The Old Testament: A Kingdom Built on Procreation
In the Old Testament, procreation was central to God’s plan for His people. His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3 promised that Abraham’s descendants would become a great nation, through whom all nations would be blessed. This promise required physical offspring—biological descendants who would carry forward God’s covenant and establish Israel as a holy nation. Heterosexual relationships were vital for this purpose, as they symbolized life, growth, and continuity. In fact, laws like those in Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13, which prohibited homosexual acts, can be understood in this context. For ancient Israel, survival as a small city-state depended on population growth. Any practice that undermined this goal—whether it was sexual immorality or failure to produce offspring—was seen as a threat to the community’s survival and its role in God’s plan. Procreation was more than just a biological necessity; it was a theological statement. Israel’s growth and survival were tangible signs of God’s faithfulness to His promises.
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you.
Genesis 12:2-3
Fast forward to the New Testament, and we encounter Jesus’ striking words in Matthew 22:30: “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven.” This statement reveals a profound shift in how we understand relationships and continuity in God’s Kingdom. In the eternal Kingdom, marriage—and by extension, physical procreation—is no longer necessary. Why? Because eternal life is granted directly by God. The need for biological descendants to sustain life is replaced by God’s promise of everlasting life. This doesn’t diminish the importance of procreation in earthly kingdoms but points to a new reality where life is no longer bound by time or death. But what about the continuation of God’s Kingdom on Earth? If marriage and biological procreation are no longer central, how does the Kingdom grow?
Spiritual Rebirth: The New Procreation
The answer lies in Jesus’ teaching about spiritual rebirth. In John 3:3-5, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God… Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Here, Jesus introduces a new kind of “procreation”—one that is spiritual rather than physical. In this new paradigm, people enter God’s Kingdom not through physical birth but through spiritual rebirth. This transformation occurs when individuals hear the Gospel, repent of being a sinner, and place their faith in Christ. It is a process that transcends biological lineage and opens the door for all people—regardless of ethnicity or background—to become part of God’s family. Paul emphasizes this shift in Galatians 3:26-29, where he declares that all who belong to Christ are “Abraham’s offspring” and heirs according to God’s promise. The Kingdom is no longer about physical descendants; it is about spiritual inheritance.
The Gospel as the Vehicle for Growth
If spiritual rebirth is how individuals enter God’s Kingdom, then teaching and spreading the Gospel becomes the primary way the Kingdom grows. This idea is central to Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” In this sense, evangelism and discipleship are akin to spiritual “procreation.” Just as parents nurture their children into maturity, believers are called to disciple others—teaching them about Christ, guiding them in their faith journey, and equipping them to make disciples themselves (see 2 Timothy 2:2). The Kingdom grows exponentially as each generation of disciples makes more disciples. This process ensures that God’s Kingdom continues to expand on Earth until its ultimate fulfillment when Christ returns.
A Kingdom Built on Eternal Life
The shift from physical procreation to spiritual rebirth reflects a deeper truth about God’s Kingdom: it is eternal because it is sustained by God Himself. While earthly kingdoms rely on biological reproduction for survival, God’s Kingdom transcends these limitations. It grows through faith, obedience, and the transformative power of the Gospel. This doesn’t mean that marriage or physical procreation is unimportant; rather, it shows that these earthly institutions point toward something greater. Just as marriage symbolizes Christ’s relationship with His Church (Ephesians 5:31-32), so too does physical procreation point toward spiritual rebirth—the true means by which God’s eternal Kingdom grows.
Conclusion
The story of God’s Kingdom is one of transformation—from an earthly nation built on physical descendants to an eternal Kingdom built on spiritual rebirth. In this new reality, teaching and spreading the Gospel take center stage as the vehicle for growth. Through evangelism and discipleship, people from every nation are invited into God’s family—not by birthright but by faith. This shift challenges us to rethink what it means to build a kingdom. It invites us to participate in something far greater than ourselves—a Kingdom where life is eternal, relationships are transformed, and growth comes not through biology but through the power of God’s Spirit working through His people. So let us embrace our role as spiritual “parents,” sharing the Gospel with others and nurturing them into maturity in Christ. In doing so, we participate in the greatest mission ever given: building an eternal Kingdom that will never fade away.
