The Kingdom of God | Mark 1:15

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; 
repent and believe in the gospel.”

There have been a few misconceptions about the kingdom of God over the years.  One key one is that it is the church.  As the Roman Catholic Church wielded power over the known world, it was easy to see it as the kingdom come to earth.  Some Protestants still retain the tradition of viewing the church as some iteration of the kingdom of God.  However, Jesus said that it is near, not that it had arrived, so this isn’t quite right.

There are both spiritual and physical aspects to the kingdom of God.  The primary spiritual concern for the kingdom of God is this: How will you deal with Jesus Christ?  When Jesus told them that the kingdom was near, He meant the King was near to them (cf. Lk 17:21; Mt 12:28).  But, it wasn’t just being physically near Him; it is about His commands here—repent and believe in the gospel.  If you are a Christian, then you are not only a citizen, but a son of the kingdom (Mt 13:38).  Being born again by grace through faith in Christ is how one gains entrance into the kingdom (Jn 3:3).  Are you a citizen of this kingdom?

Know that there is coming a physical aspect to the kingdom as well.  Old Testament Israel formed the starting basis for the kingdom of God (Ex 19:6), and several passages in the Minor Prophets predict the coming kingdom (Jl 3; Am 9:11-15; Zep 3:14-20; 8; 12:8-10; 14).  Revelation 21 records the New Heavens and New Earth with the New Jerusalem of the kingdom of God, and chapter 22 contains precious promises about that kingdom.


There’s quite a bit to talk about with this, but consider this.  Revelation 22:17 says, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”  Find the satisfaction that you need in your King.  Come to Him, repenting and believing the good news that He accepts sinners into His kingdom.  

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