The Kingdom Is At Hand

There is so much confusion about the Kingdom of God. How does it fit into Jesus’ ministry? When will it be here?

Today we will answer those questions.

Jesus started his ministry around 2 basic ideas. First, Jews should repent of their attitudes and actions. And second, the kingdom of God was almost here.

Repentance is a continual action word in the New Testament. It is something people should always be doing. Always learning more about Jesus. We learn about our sins against God and people. We re-dedicate our minds to not making the same mistakes over and over. And by God’s grace and mercy we make the adjustments.

This is what Jesus was telling Jews to do because the kingdom was almost here.

We know from Jesus’ own words that the kingdom is not a physical kingdom in any specific location. It is a spiritual kingdom. Jesus told Pilate, “…My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Some think they are in the kingdom, but they may have a sad surprise.

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Anyone from any nation or any race can come

If someone has been sinful, they will either repent so they can be in the kingdom, or they will be removed

Kingdom dwellers are humble like a child, and they don’t trust in the financial achievements

Inhabitants are workers that are rewarded for their faithfulness. Jesus said, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Believe me, you want to be in this group!

So, when is this kingdom to come? Some religious people struggle to understand. It is not difficult if people will be quiet and let God do the talking.

Some think that Jesus was not able to establish the kingdom, because of his being rejected by the Jews. So, as a substitute Jesus set up a church. Someday in the future, these folks suggest, Jesus will return to earth, set up his kingdom in Jerusalem, and reign there 1000 years.

That is a lot of talk by people. And it is not what God says.

If what they say is true, the natural conclusion is that God had failed in his mission. Man was so mighty that God could not do his work. God failed.

We all know that is not true.

Get your Bible and follow along.

Let’s just listen to God.

When Jesus began his ministry, he said that the kingdom was near, still in the future

In the famous “Lord’s Prayer” he prayed for the kingdom to come. It was still in the future.

He predicted in Matt 16.18-19 that Peter would have the keys to the kingdom of heaven. It was still future. We know from Jesus’ words that the kingdom would be opened by Peter during his lifetime.

As a side note, the kingdom and the church were used interchangeably by Jesus.

But let’s keep listening to God.

Very shortly later, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will NOT taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Either the kingdom has come, or there are some very old people in some obscure nursing home on life support.

What did God say in 1 Thess 2:12?  He recorded, “we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” This sounds present tense.

By the time Hebrews 12:28 was written, past tense becomes quite apparent. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, …,”

Col 1:13 is the clearest of all of all God’s record. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,”  Did you see the past tense? My question would be, “How can you be transferred into something that is non-existent?” Well, you can’t.

And since you can’t, then the kingdom must be present. It is in existence now.

I am glad you are learning on your own. You are looking for truth. I’m glad.

Here are Timeless Talks we have an e-booklet we would love to share with you, free of charge and no-strings attached. It is called Bible Prophecy and the Kingdom of Christ. You can get it either of 2 ways. First send your email to contact@TimelessTalks.Net to request your eBook. I will send you a link to your copy. Or, even better, Go to TimelessTalks.Net, find the Free Booklets page under offers. There you can read it online or download your copy directly.

We also hope you will sign up for the free email newsletter, “The Insider.” It is also at Timeless Talks.Net.

Until we can visit again, Goodbye for now.