There are clearly a multitude of scriptures that lend themselves to this vision. In John 3:3-5 Jesus tells Nicodemus that one must be "born again. Born of water and spirit" if not we can not enter the Kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 15:50 we are reminded that  "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God."

The overriding theme of those who teach that message is that the Kingdom of God is located in another time and place not accessible here and now. They teach the supremacy to the hereafter and mark almost as irrelevant our present existence. When read out of context, some verses may lead the reader to believe that God does not value this earthly life. The only value they place on our earthly existences is as a testing ground were we are to demonstrate if we are worthy enough to enter the Kingdom of God. These teachings follow an escapist, borderline Gnostic, theology that is inconsistent with the good news preached by Jesus Christ.

While referencing passages like Luke 6:22, Matthew 5:12 we are told that the trials of this life are unimportant, and that our Christian calling has nothing to do with improving the lot of people on this earth. That all we need to do is set or eyes on the future, heavenly Kingdom, and to live a life worth of being admitted in to it, when our time comes. We are told; all we have to do is live out our days on this earth life in a saintly manner, in accordance with certain religious principles (1 Corinthians 6:10), and that upon our death, and only then, we will be allowed to enter the Kingdom of God. 

I agree fully that the Kingdom is something or someplace we enter. But not only in distant tomorrow; in the here and now. I am fascinated by the many ways the bible presents the Kingdom of Heaven as both a future and present reality. Jesus tells us to SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and that in doing so... all good things will be added on to us. 

Yes Jesus affirms that the Kingdom is not of this world. In John 18:36 he said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."

According to Paul it is peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,… Romans 14:17

In Philippians 3:10 We are reminded that our Citizenship is in heaven....

In Matthews 6:10 Jesus prays to the father and ask his His Kingdom to come. "On earth as it is in heaven."

In Mark 1:15 Jesus opens up his earthly ministry proclaiming that, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the good news [that he was preaching].” Not the kingdom of God will be cumming soon... "Is at hand!" ...in other words, it's here now.

In Luke, Jesus tells us that when we share God's power and grace for the benefit of others "The Kingdom of God has come near to them..." Luke 10:9-11

In Matthew 12:28 we are told that when acting on the authority of God, and we liberate someone of demons and evil spirits, the Kingdom of God has "come upon" them.

My favorite kingdom verse is Luke 17:20-21; Here Jesus explains to the pharisees that the kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." Notice the tense here. It does not say, will be... It already is... "in your midst."

In the first chapter of Revelation the author John, refers to himself a as brother and partner of "the seven churches, in the tribulation, and the KINGDOM."

While still alive, on earth, John is already claiming his citizenship in the Kingdom. Not only is he claiming his own citizenship, but he is also affirming that the members of the seven churches are citizens as well.

In Revelation 11:15 after the seventh angel sounds the trumpet, loud voices in heaven cry out, “The kingdoms of the world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

You see when I read the bible and see the many ways it describes The Kingdom. I come to the realization that it can not be fully defined by any one specific verse. Defining the Kingdom of God is as easy and as complicated as describing God. Words do not exist nor do we have the cognitive capacity, to fully draw and image of God and Her Kingdom. (saw what I did here?)

Far from trying to convince folks of my perspective on The Kingdom of God I am hoping to share the diversity of kingdom expressions in the New Testament. No one verse, will give us a full image of The Kingdom of God, but all of them point to what we need to know about it, and even then, the Kingdom of God is so much more.

So it is, that The Kingdom is a place we must commit to in order to enter, qualify to enter, chose to enter, it is also a place that we can enter and dwell within this lifetime. Once we do enter it, we carry it with us, we can bring it near others or even thrust upon some. It is not of this world but it is in our midst, we are citizens of that kingdom now, and even when other can not come to it we can bring it to them. ...and we rest in the promise that the kingdoms of the world will become "The Kingdom of our Lord and Christ".