Interestingly enough, amidst all of the conflicting ideas and theology that surround the issue, God's word is very clear concerning the kingdom: it is God's right to rule. The kingdom is God's sovereignty.
Forecasting Reign
Concerning the kingdom, Jesus spoke of it often. In reference to it's inception on earth, Jesus made this statement, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power". Jesus knew that God's rule among men was about to ensue.
His public ministry began with the proclamation of the kingdom. For forty days prior to His three year preaching, Satan tempted Jesus with material prosperity and comforts. Satan attempted to lure Him into serving him by offering Him all of the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Jesus refused his offer though. At this point, Jesus began preaching about the coming rule of God (Matthew 4:1-17).
Praying for Reign
One day, Jesus' students asked Him how they ought to pray. His response was,
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil"
In the original language, "on earth as it is in heaven" is modified by three phrases: "Your will be done", "Your kingdom come", and "Your name is hallowed".
So, in this passage, Jesus tells us to pray for God's rule to come and permeate our lives, not just to pray that the church would be established. The model prayer of Matthew 6 is not obsolete as some believe, but it is very relevant seeing that we are all in need of God's rule and sovereignty in our lives.
The Nature of Reign
Paul wrote this about the kingdom, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit". Eating and drinking are things we do to sustain our physical bodies, and Paul says here that God's kingdom is the opposite. In a nutshell, God's rule is not physical, but is spiritual in nature.
Jesus is recorded as saying, "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". From the mouth of the Lord Himself we learn about the nature of the kingdom: It is His, and it does not belong to the world.
The kingdom originates with God in heaven. A person that is willing to surrender his will for God's will is a subject to His rule in his life. Peter said, "In your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy". God's reign in the human heart is a matter of a person abdicating his personal throne and allowing Him to take the rule.
Reign Gauges
How can a person know whether he is a part of God's rule and kingdom? See, soon after Jesus began preaching that the "kingdom of God is near you", He announced the qualities that kingdom citizens must possess. Here are a few questions that we can ask from that amazing sermon that He preached on a mountainside:
- Are you poor in spirit? In order for Jesus to rescue a person from the heinous consequences of sin, that person must recognize that Jesus alone can save. This means forfeiting personal pride and acknowledging that life without Him is empty of meaning and substance. That is why He said, "Happy are those who are poor in spirit, for heaven's kingdom is theirs!"
- Are you hungry in appetite? Just as we need food and water for physical sustenance, we require the food of God's word to survive spiritually. A person who neglects Scripture study, prayer, and fellowship, is neglecting the spiritual food that Christ offers. That is why Jesus said, "Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied!"
- Are you empty of self? Jesus demands that His followers be willing to forfeit all for His sake and glory. He said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me". That is the joy of serving Him: self-denial for His glory and honor. No good citizen ever disobeys the ruling of his king, and no faithful servant of Christ ever substitutes His rule for personal rule.
- Are you full of love? Love is the mark of true kingdom citizenship. John wrote, "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world". Disciples of the Master are known by their love for Him and each other (John 13:34-35). A person who appreciates God's love will reciprocate it into the lives of others.
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