The kingdom is obviously VERY IMPORTANT TO JESUS because He taught his disciples, “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.” (Matt. 6:9-10) EVERY DAY, or maybe many times a day, we are taught by Jesus to pray to the Father for HIS KINGDOM, THE KINGDOM OF GOD, TO COME. The Kingdom of God is in the hands of Jesus as He begins His ministry on earth and He begins to gather people into the Kingdom, “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT 1HAND.” (Matt. 4:17) 1eggizō: come near to. The Kingdom is near just not physically present. “Now when Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU.” (Luke 17:20-21)
Jesus will establish the physical Kingdom of God in the last days, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will SIT ON THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY.” (Matt. 25:31)
But here is the thing Jesus, when He taught us to pray He said, “OUR FATHER… YOUR KINGDOM COME…” Some wonder, if it’s the Father’s Kingdom why did Jesus sit on the throne? Well here’s the answer, “Then comes the end, when JESUS DELIVERS THE KINGDOM TO GOD THE FATHER, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.” (1 Corin. 15:24-25)
EVERY WORD OF GOD PROVES TRUE… (Proverbs 30:5)
-Bill Stockham