2. Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 4:17
Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
Mark 1:15
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye and believe the gospel.
Jesus promises the kingdom of God: it is at hand. We receive it, or enter it, or have it with us when we repent and believe the gospel. “At hand” means near or close by, nearby both in time and in space. Jesus the Christ was nearby both in time, right now, and in space, right here; you can see Him and hear Him here and now; so Jesus says to the disciples who were going to follow Him. He was physically there. For us who did not live on earth at that time and place, “at hand” means the same thing: right here and right now, where we are and when we live.
Jesus is the Kingdom of God; the Kingdom of God is the rule or lordship of God over our lives in our hearts where we live. For each of us it begins when we enter by repentance and faith and it never ends since it is eternal life. Jesus is saying: “OK, I am God and I am here now; I am taking over. You can relax and enjoy my present rule in you hearts and lives. I got this!” Jesus lives with us and we live with Him; we are by faith living in the spiritual kingdom of God. We are reminded of this truth by daily repentance and faith in the Gospel. Hint: hear the Gospel daily!
The spiritual kingdom of God dwells in us (and God rules our life), at the same time that the earthly kingdom of the World lives in us (and Satan tries to rule our life). Both kingdoms are always present: the presence of God and the presence of Enemies; the Flesh and the Spirit; the old man and the new man. This causes a struggle and a battle all of our life long. When we die and go to be with the Lord the one kingdom is gone forever and the other one goes on and lives forever. Good rules, Evil loses; Jesus wins, Enemies are defeated; Holiness lives, Sin is gone. Paradise is regained and Love is All.
This Kingdom of God promise is First and Foremost; it is the Most Basic and Primary giver and energizer of our life and faith. Believing it makes all the difference to our living and wellbeing. We enter and enjoy the Kingdom by doing what Jesus says: “Repent and believe the Gospel.”