“The kingdom of God is at hand.” Mark 1:15
“The kingdom” is simply the rule or reign of God. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to ask that God’s kingdom would come, and that His will would be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
God is sovereign. That means He reigns everywhere. He reigns in heaven, on earth, and even over hell. But in heaven, God’s rule is recognized. That’s why heaven is filled with His blessing. In hell, God’s rule is resisted. That’s why hell is under His judgment.
On earth, there’s this strange mixture: God’s rule is partly recognized and partly resisted. That’s why we see a mixture of blessing and judgment. So, when we pray, “Your kingdom come” (Mat. 6:10), we’re asking God to make this world more like heaven than hell. And that happens as people come to submit to God’s rule in their lives.
The ministry of Jesus brought a taste of heaven on earth—sicknesses healed, demons cast out, and sins forgiven. Ordinary people became followers of Jesus. Troubled people were set free. The kingdom of God was coming near. But then something happened: the ministry that was bringing such blessing was rejected. Some people were plotting to kill Jesus, while others were saying that He was in league with the devil.
But if the King is rejected, what hope is there for the kingdom? How can we know the blessing of Christ’s rule in this Christ-rejecting world?
As you see God’s rule partly recognized and partly resisted, what does this do to your confidence level in Jesus’ ability to establish His kingdom?
