But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Matthew 12:28
Works, Miracles, and Signs
We are continuing to explore how our understanding of God’s Kingdom is enriched when we start with the simple, yet profound statement, ” The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom.” If we better understand how ancient kingdoms were structured and functioned, we can better understand the biblical message about God’s Kingdom.
In the ancient world, the concept of kingship was inseparable from the divine. Kings were not just political leaders; they were seen as chosen or favored by the gods (or by God) to rule. Their authority was rooted in this divine appointment, and their ability to lead often came with stories of miraculous works, extraordinary signs, and wondrous deeds. These were not just tales of power but evidence; proof that their claim to rule was legitimate because it was connected to the divine.
When we think about “miracles,” “signs,” and “works,” our minds might go to dramatic displays of divine power: the parting of the Red Sea, the healing of the blind, or the feeding of thousands with a few loaves and fish. But in the context of ancient kingdoms, these were more than acts of wonder or events that defy natural explanation. They were kingdom words; evidence that an earthly ruler had divine backing, that their authority was not merely human but ordained from above.
Miracles and Authority in Ancient Kingship
“But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”
Exodus 7:3-5
For the pharaohs of Egypt, the annual flooding of the Nile wasn’t just a natural phenomenon; it was seen as a divine work that confirmed the pharaoh’s ability to mediate between the gods and the land. Victories in battle, prosperity in the kingdom, and even astronomical events were attributed to the favor of the gods on the king. These “signs” validated their right to rule. The scripture from Exodus mentioned above is more than God explaining what was going to happen. It demonstrates an authority that would undermine the Pharaoh’s claim to rule.
In Babylon, Hammurabi famously claimed that his law code was given to him by the god Marduk, cementing his role as the divinely chosen king who brought order and justice. Roman emperors followed a similar pattern, with Augustus, for example, presenting his rule as the fulfillment of a divinely ordered peace (Pax Romana). To challenge such rulers was to challenge the divine power behind them.
These stories weren’t just about proving the king’s greatness. They were about establishing authority; making the case that their rule was legitimate, right, and inevitable because it was rooted in the will of the divine.
The Kingdom of God: Miracles as Signs of Divine Authority
When we shift to the biblical narrative, we see Jesus engaging with these same concepts of works, miracles, and signs, but with a striking difference. Jesus’ miracles weren’t simply about proving that He was divine; they were about declaring that the Kingdom of God had come.
When Jesus heals the sick, casts out demons, or feeds the hungry, He is not just showing compassion. He is demonstrating that God’s reign is breaking into the world
“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Matthew 12:28
When He walks on water or calms the storm, He shows His authority over creation itself (Mark 4:39).
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
Mark 4:39
When He raises the dead, He declares that the ultimate enemy, death,has no power in His Kingdom (John 11:25-26).
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-36
These signs connect Jesus’ ministry to the divine authority of the Father, establishing His kingship not only over Israel but over all creation. His miracles are evidence of His divine appointment as the Messiah, the one through whom God’s Kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.
Earthly or Divine Power? – Why Not Both?
“How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.”
Daniel 4:3
In the ancient world, the lines between government and religion weren’t blurred; they simply didn’t exist. To be a king was to claim a connection to the divine. Authority came from heaven, and earthly rule was an extension of that authority.
This concept helps us better understand the Kingdom of God. When we talk about the Kingdom of God as a kingdom, we are not just using a metaphor. We are describing a reality where God’s rule is absolute, His authority is unquestionable, and His works, miracles, and signs, serve as evidence of His reign.
He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.’”
John 3:2
The difference is this: earthly kings used signs to claim power and often to dominate. Jesus uses signs to invite us into His Kingdom. Its a Kingdom established not by conquest but by love, not by force but by grace. His authority is not based on exploitation but on restoration.
When we see the works, miracles, and signs in Scripture, we should understand them as more than isolated acts of power. They are Kingdom declarations. They remind us that God’s authority is real, His rule is active, and His invitation to be part of His Kingdom is open to all who will follow.
“Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
John 10:37-38
Understanding ancient kingdoms and their divine claims helps us see the Kingdom of God more clearly. The miracles, signs, and works of Jesus are not just proofs of His divinity; they are evidence that He is the King and that His Kingdom is here.
As we continue to speak of the Kingdom, let us remember that these signs are more than wonders. They are declarations of the greatest Kingdom, where love and justice reign, and where the King has come to invite us in.
Additional Scriptures and Discussion Questions
- Why did ancient rulers associate their rule with divine works, miracles, and signs? How did this validate their authority?
- How does understanding ancient kingdoms, where government and religion were intertwined, help us better understand the concept of the Kingdom of God?
- In what ways did rulers use signs and wonders to unify their people or discourage rebellion? Can you think of modern parallels to this idea?
- Read Matthew 12:28: How does Jesus’ statement about driving out demons by the Spirit of God connect His works to the Kingdom of God?
- Consider John 10:37-38: What does Jesus mean when He asks His audience to believe the works He does if they don’t believe His words? What do these works reveal about His authority?
- Reflect on Acts 2:22: How do Peter’s words about Jesus being accredited by miracles, wonders, and signs emphasize Jesus’ divine kingship?
- How do Jesus’ miracles differ from the signs and wonders associated with ancient earthly rulers? What does this tell us about the nature of His Kingdom?
- Why do you think Jesus performed miracles that emphasized restoration (healing the sick, raising the dead) instead of power or dominance?
- What are ways you can reflect the reality of God’s Kingdom in your daily life? How can your own “works” or actions point others to the authority and love of Jesus?
- What do you think it means to view “miracles,” “signs,” and “works” as Kingdom words? How does this shape the way you read Scripture?
Next week’s Topic: Ascension
To start from the the first post in this series, click here:
Speaking of the Kingdom #1: Intro
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Tanner H Griffin 
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