The Kingdom that is Very Near

Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Luke 17:20-21).

The coming of the kingdom of God is so central to what true disciples believe that Jesus included it at the beginning of His model for prayer… “And he said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come’” (Luke 11:2). Diligent disciples live and labor in full anticipation and excitement of the coming of the kingdom of God. The reality of life in a world that is enjoying the benefits of submission to the rule of our Creator is wildly beyond our limited imagination… “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). The Holy Spirit has inspired glorious glimpses of the kingdom to come… “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away’” (Revelation 21:3-4). Perhaps in the midst of today’s temporal trials you’ve asked the same question… “When the kingdom of God would come”. I pray you’re encouraged and excited by the powerful truth revealed in Christ’s answer to the Pharisees, that the glorious kingdom of God is closer than you think because it is the kingdom that is very near!

The kingdom of God is revealed when desperate disciples depend on God’s supernatural power. Our trials are God’s opportunity to break into the natural world with the demonstration of His supernatural power. Trials should bring maturing disciples to the end of ourselves, refocus our faith on Christ, and trust Him to act. Jesus promised the kingdom of God comes with supernatural healing… “Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (Luke 10:9). Jesus promised the kingdom of God comes with supernatural deliverance… “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). Jesus promises the glory of the kingdom of God comes whenever His disciples turn to Him in time of need… “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).

The kingdom of God is revealed when diligent disciples declare God’s prophetic Word. Jesus was consistent and urgent in His message about the coming kingdom of God… “The people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose’” (Luke 4:42-43). His miracles drew great crowds to hear His preaching about the coming kingdom… “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 4:17). He exhorted His disciples to be diligent and to imitate in words and deeds His prophetic kingdom message even in the face of certain rejection… “Whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless, know this, that the kingdom of God has come near’” (Luke 10:10-11).

The kingdom of God is revealed when devoted disciples demonstrate childlike faith. Jesus understands fallen human nature. He knows the spiritual reality of the kingdom of God is foolishness to the heart and mind of natural man… “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Jesus used children to illustrate the gracious gift of faith that enables and empowers devoted disciples to receive and discern the kingdom of God in the midst of this fallen world… “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it” (Luke 18:17).

As we grow up into Christ, and our faith matures, we become more expectant and aware of…

The Kingdom that is Very Near.