Posted on 05/20/2025 1:54:22 AM PDT by metmom
“‘“Your kingdom come’’” (Matthew 6:10).
“Kingdom” is not so much a geographical territory as it is a sovereign dominion. When Christians pray “Your kingdom come,” they are asking God to rule through Christ’s future enthronement, His coming reign over the earth. The Greek for “come” indicates a sudden, instantaneous coming and here refers to the coming millennial kingdom (Rev. 20:4). Jesus is not speaking of some indirect effort by human good works to create a godly society on earth.
God’s coming kingdom will be a kingdom on earth but not a kingdom of this present world system. Jesus told Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). No human kingdom fits with God’s, which is why even the best measures to improve society are mere holding actions that only retard sinful corruption until Christ returns to establish His perfect kingdom.
Jesus came to “preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 4:43), and there is no other gospel but the good news of His kingdom. Even during His final days on earth He was faithful to teach the apostles things concerning that kingdom (Acts 1:3).
Yes, the kingdom has a past element that encompasses the Old Testament patriarchs (Matt. 8:11). The kingdom was also present during Jesus’ earthly ministry because He, its king, was “in [people’s] midst” (Luke 17:21). In a sense that is true today as believers are members of God’s invisible kingdom. But the particular focus of our prayers regarding the kingdom should be future, as we hope for the visible one to come.
Ask Yourself
What will you miss the least about earthly life when the fullness of His kingdom becomes your forever reality? Doesn’t that give you something to really look forward to? Let the genuine hope of this occurrence bolster your hope as you live through the coming day.
From Daily Readings from the Life of Christ, Vol. 1, John MacArthur. Copyright © 2008. Used by permission of Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL 60610, www.moodypublishers.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (and When Was It Instituted)?
The theme of the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN or the KINGDOM OF GOD is pervasive in the New Testament. “Kingdom of heaven” occurs at least thirty-two times in the New Testament. “Kingdom of God” appears at least sixty-eight times. At other times the Bible simply uses the term “the kingdom.”
The terms are used interchangeably. For example, Matthew 3:1-2 says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” But Mark 1:14-15 says, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.” It is clear enough that these terms are speaking of the same thing―the new covenant world instituted by Jesus at his first coming.
Millennialists sometimes separate the two terms in an attempt to find a spiritual kingdom and an earthly kingdom of a literal thousand rule reign of Christ on earth. But this distinction is incorrect. Matthew simply used the term kingdom of heaven instead of Kingdom of God out of respect for Jewish tradition, which did not mention the name of God out of reverence.
The kingdom of God/heaven refers to the rule of Christ in the hearts of believers. Here are some other uses of these terms in the New Testament:
“Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” (Luke 10:8-9)
“But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Luke 11:20)
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18-19)
“For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with his angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:27-28)
“So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31)
“My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) thus, the kingdom is spiritual, not physical.
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.” (Colossians 1:13)
The kingdom, as used in these passages, is a spiritual one, not a worldly or political one. It corresponds to the spiritual rule of Christ in the new covenant. In other words, it is the church. These passages, especially Luke 11:20; Colossians 1:13 (and others) confirm that the first century Christians were already in the kingdom. Jesus claimed to be king while on earth in the first century (John 12:12-15; 18:36-37; 28:18).
Notice that the kingdom was instituted progressively. John the Baptist announced its soon arrival even before Jesus began his ministry (Matthew 3:1-2). Then shortly afterward, Jesus Himself confirms the arrival of the kingdom coincident with his announcement of the gospel (Mark 1:14-15).
Later, we see Jesus marking the kingdom with healing miracles and his casting out demons (Luke 10:8-9; 11:20). Next, we can infer that Jesus marks the continuing steps of the kingdom’s progression with Pentecost and the granting of salvation to the Gentiles, when He said that He would give Peter the keys to the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19, cf. Acts 2:14-41; Acts 10-11).
Then finally we see the kingdom consummation at the Second Coming, that is Jesus’ effectual divine presence in judgment, in AD 70 (Matthew 16:27-28; Luke 21:31, cf. Luke 21:22, 32, 36). Revelation further confirms that the kingdom has come (past tense to us per Revelation 1:1-3; 22:6-20) by the end of the so-called “millennium” and that it would continue forever (Revelation 11:15; 12:10; 22:5).
There is also evidence that the kingdom of heaven as described in the passages above is a precursor, or “shadow” of heaven itself. Jesus said in Matthew 8:11, “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” So, different from other descriptions, the “kingdom of heaven” can refer to heaven itself.
See also my other articles on eschatology here:
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