THURSDAY MARCH 17, 2022

IS THE KINGDOM PRESENT OR FUTURE?

Scripture Reference: Luke 17:20-21

Exposition:

Do you know that as kingdom citizens, we are ambassadors of the king of the universe? This is just one of the many majestic titles and positions God the father has freely bestowed upon us at the moment of our salvation. Remember, in order for you to understand how to operate in the kingdom of God, you need to understand how the kingdom of God operates.

To be part of the Kingdom of God, Jesus must be your King. It is for those who allow Jesus to rule and reign in their hearts. You must ask Him to be your Saviour and follow Him. It is not a physical kingdom that can be seen with borders, but an invisible, and spiritual one.

In his narrative on the life of Jesus, Luke brings us to a question that was on everybody’s mind at the time, just as it is today: When is the Kingdom of God coming? The people of Israel would have been very aware that the time was close, especially those that studied the Scriptures, the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, but they missed the fact that there were to be two comings of the Messiah. One as a Suffering Servant who would give His life as an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10-12), but also One Who is to come at a later time as a Conquering King.

When Jesus was talking to the Pharisees, he was not referring to them personally when he spoke about the fact that the Kingdom of God is within, for they had not received the King and were still dead in their trespasses and sins.

This perception of the Kingdom of God challenged their views on the subject. Until then, they had been looking for something tangible. The kingdom for which they supposedly were searching for was right under their noses in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they were not aware of it.

Sometimes, the answers to our questions are right there in front of us, but we do not have the spiritual sensitivity to see them. The kingdom of God is present. It is right within us in the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Confess Him, believe in Him, love and follow Him and your life will not be the same.

Prayer Guide: Dear Lord, let your kingdom be fully established in my heart to help me fulfil your principles in my life. (CAG)

MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK: Luke 22:29 (NKJV) – “I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon me.”