Here's the first thing I saw when I started pondering Colossians 1:13 and the two kingdoms: it was like a really sweet and satisfying fairy tale.
The Rescuer comes and delivers me from a nasty pit. He could have pulled me out and left me outside the pit, but He carries me out of that bleak land and into the borders of another beautiful landscape.
He could have dropped me off there, but He takes me into the castle at the top of the hill - turns out He is Prince of the land. Inside the castle, I would have been ever so grateful to be assigned to clean the royal floors, but the Prince wants to make me His bride!
Happily ever after, indeed.
About this time I came across this digital painting by artist Tony Snipes (www.artlessonsfromgod.com). Nailed it!