Just what is the Kingdom of God? “Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand (it is here); REPENT (metanoeō: to change one’s mind) and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15) Some wrongly teach that repentance means to turn away from sin and turn to God but we do not have power to do that! All we can do is (change our minds) about how we are living and sincerely seek God for forgiveness!!!
Although there is no exact historical timeline that aligns all four Gospels, this moment of proclamation in Mark’s Gospel was made at the very beginning of Christ’s public ministry in Galilee. Even before He performed many public miracles, by which word of Him spread far and wide, Christ proclaimed that the “kingdom of God is at hand (it is here now),” that He, who is God, has come as RULER OVER ALL. Proclaiming this at such a moment during His ministry draws our attention to the consideration that His SOVEREIGNTY (supreme authority) in the Kingdom is not wholly defined by His wondrous miracles or His vibrant words, but that these things blossom from the ACT OF LOVE that is His humanity; that He is the “Word made flesh Who dwelt among us” ( John 1:14)
Luke said, “Now REPENT of your sins AND TURN to God, so that YOUR SINS MAY BE WIPED AWAY (exaleiphō: to obliterate or blot out). Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and He will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For He must remain in heaven until the time for the FINAL RESTORATION (when Jesus died on the cross He redeemed (exargyró̱no̱: a release affected by payment of ransom) us) of all things, as God promised long ago through His holy prophets.” (Acts 3:19-21) OK then, just where is the Kingdom of God? “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)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham