Why the Kingdom? Why did Jesus speak so much on the Kingdom of God/Heaven? Throughout the Gospels of the bible and echoed in the writings of Thomas and other non-biblical writings, the Kingdom of God is here or among you; now-at-hand. I am sure most Christians have heard these phrases in a sermon or homily from time to time. Or this may go against everything that you've been taught. And not because what you've heard or been taught is inertly false, but when you see what Jesus did through the perspective of a Kingdom come, things begin to come into focus.
The Romain occupancy in Israel at the time of Jesus made the words Jesus spoke about the 'Kingdom of God' all the more meaningful. Throughout the New Testament Jesus refers to this Kingdom of God or Heaven often and with each time bringing us closer to seeing this reality come to pass. More often than not He uses the term 'at hand' when making these references and all too often this term seems to be miss understood, unused or even lost completely in modern Christianity, maybe only in Western Christianity. At-hand means to say that it is right in front of you, it is here, you just may not be able to see it yet.
There is a movement happening throughout Christendom when it comes to the Kingdom of God. We are seeing the Kingdom of God being realized, taught and walked out in amazing ways. I was a 'late bloomer' in my walk with God. Through my late teens and 20's I simply walked by my own flesh and passions. I did not develop any real understanding of who God was; and especially if He was active today. There were however small glimpses throughout this time, when looking back I can see God revealing Himself, but that was only realized after I surrendered myself to Him. These small glimpses of God are happening in greater measures around the world. I hear stories coming out of areas where the Gospel is suppressed and Christians are losing their lives for their belief in Jesus. This is seen in documentary films like, Sheep among wolves and testimonies that come from ministries that we are a part of, where groups are sent into some of these countries, where some of the most horrific things are happening to followers of Jesus. And the Kingdom is God is being manifested in many ways including most notably their vocabulary, discipleship movement, relationships and business.
These men and women are living examples of Colossians 1:13, For He delivered them from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. Even though they are in immense turmoil and persecutions they stand strong on the words they read in scripture and hear from the Lord themselves.
The Kingdom of God comes against any other kingdom.
This Kingdom can only be realized through Christ. Luke 18:17, Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all. A child sees differently, they respond differently and their dependence on their parents is so great that they are solely reliant upon them to meet their needs. Displaying the need to be solely reliant upon God for all our needs. Maybe some have been building the kingdom of their own church and not the Kingdom of God. Or believe that they are the ones building something, both are dangerous.
The Kingdom of God comes against any other kingdom.
The Jewish people did not like to have the Romain's in authority in their home country, yet they knew what the occupancy meant, safety, security and even arbitrator & judge when it came to issues that their law wouldn't let them punish. For example, a certain man who was accused of blaspheming the God of Israel, Jesus.
There is a stark contrast in the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of God. Kingdoms of this world are built upon either empires that man uses for his own good and needs to be met or they are built with good intentions, morality and even Judeo Christian values, but they are still kingdoms of this world. I cannot help but be reminded of something Jesus said that is deeply impactful here, in John 17 Jesus says twice, they are not of this world as I am not of this world. Meaning that our identity as followers of Jesus is found in God not in this world. In God things are not corruptible in world things are deeply corruptible.
The Kingdom of God/Heaven, whichever one your Bible translations says, is manifested or realized when the children of God live with this etched on their hearts not just their social media profiles and Sunday morning face. As believers/followers of Jesus we live in this world, go grocery shopping, buy and sell things in this world, but we are not of this world. We are to walk with deep convictions and allegiance to God the Father that it is reflected in all we do. And this is not with an attitude of pride but with deep humility and grace. Giving all honor and praise to God. When this happens, the Kingdom of God is seen and realized to all those around us.