Nearness of God's Kingdom

"This, then, is how you should pray:  Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9-10 NIV; italics mine).

In the Old Testament the idiom "the Kingdom of God" does not occur.  The idea can be found throughout the writings of the prophets.  In Judaism God is spoken of as King of Israel and of the world.  This twofold view of God finds its form in the eschatological and in the present:  eschatological that in the future this Kingdom will arise out of history.  This Kingdom of God would be ruled; by a king from the Davidic line, and for the Kingdom to be present in the "now" it would be found in the Law.  Only by keeping the law could one realize the Kingdom in the present.  Therefore, Gentiles could come into the Kingdom by embracing Judaism and by keeping the law.  The hopes of Israel faded, each time they were captives because of disobedience.  They understood and believed that the Messianic Kingdom was exclusively with the nation of Israel.  Their apocalyptic writings emphasized the earthly, historical aspect of the Kingdom.  They had lost the sense that God acts in the historical presence.  Out of their frustration that the Kingdom of God had not come and was somewhere out in the future they would not patiently wait.  A group called the Zealots decided to take matters into their own hands.  Many skirmishes, and minor wars against the Roman Empire was an attempt to bring about the Messianic Kingdom to this world.  they even had their own Messiah, the leader in 132 A.D., Bar Kokhba.  Throughout the history of Judaism, the coming of God's Kingdom was expected to be an act of God destroying their enemies and then to gather Israel under the rule of God alone.  This was the culture, theology, and political world that Jesus entered.

Here lies the baby Jesus.  he does not in any way resemble the expectation of the Jews.  Even as an adult in His ministry Jesus was rejected.  He did not speak of the Kingdom in the manner and form they were expecting.  What they could not see and did not hear and understand: the Kingdom of God had come, it had entered the present history of mankind.  The message of Jesus is in His own person and mission; God has invaded human history, triumphed over evil even though the final deliverance will occur only at the end of the age.  John the Baptist, cried out; "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:2b NIV; italics mine).  The Greek word for "near" has a deeper meaning, it denotes that the subject, Kingdom, not just near but has drawn near, denoting that it is in this world now.  Jesus' coming was in invasion of the Kingdom of God into the present history and extends forward where also in the future this age and the Kingdom of God will unite into the "age to come" by His second coming.  Therefore, the Kingdom of God is twofold: first, it is in the now.  We are told to "But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33 NIV; italics mine).  The Kingdom is for now, the context is that you can find and have this Kingdom now.  "Ask and it will be given to you" (Matthew 7:7a NIV; italics mine).  You are seeking His Kingdom and you will find it now and all the things promised is in the now not in the future.  We are not to worry, God will provide, and our Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who ask Him.

Are you looking into the future for the Kingdom of God to come?  Stop!  The Kingdom is for you now and with that Kingdom is the gift of salvation: Now!  "But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:31-32 NIV; italics mine).  This Kingdom is a gift, both eschatological salvation and the present blessedness. Come to Him as a little child, not becuse children are humble.  Children are ready to receive, and they are responsive.  In the age to come this future salvation has two meanings: first, deliverance from mortality; Second, perfect communion with God.

If you have accepted the message of salvation the Kingdom of God is within you.  We are to live the Kingdom life in the here and now.  Put away the worldly things of this life, we are citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom and one day soon Jesus will come again and the completion of this age.  We will join Him in eternity where all pain, sorrow, grief, will ahve gone ad be replaced with unspakable joy.  Embrace your Kingdom citizenship!

Daily Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for coming, as a baby, as a man, to bring to us the Kingdom of Heaven into our world.  Help me to live Kingdom minded, and as a sojourner in this world. Guide my life so it will shine forth Your Kingdom so that others may see You and accept Your gift of salvation.       Amen