The Kingdom of God is Near

Written by Suzanne Benner

Are you living a Spirit-filled life? You can start today.

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’” (Matthew 4:17)

The gospels record Jesus proclaiming, (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:15) and instructing His disciples to proclaim, that the kingdom of God is near. (Matthew 10:7; Luke 10:9, 11) Although the book of Acts, Paul’s letters and other New Testament books continue to speak about the kingdom of God, none use the phrase, “the kingdom of God is near”. Why wouldn’t the apostles continue to use that statement?

People were looking for an earthly kingdom, one to overthrow the Romans and free them from oppression, but Jesus’ talk of the kingdom suggested a less tangible but still powerful realm. Jesus told the Pharisees, “The kingdom of God does not come visibly, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)

Jesus also said “Some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” (Mark 9:1) If Jesus meant the complete fulfillment of the kingdom of God – with sin and Satan finally defeated, where Christ will reign eternally – then some of the people who heard His words would still be living today.

That’s not the case. So, we know Jesus was describing the indwelling of Holy Spirit, who enables believers to live in the kingdom of God and experience His power. Many lived to see that day – Pentecost – when the Holy Spirit powerfully descended upon the disciples. (Acts chapter 2)

The disciples no longer preached ‘the kingdom of God is near’ after Jesus’ resurrection, because it had arrived. Jesus explained that you can’t see the kingdom of God because it is within you. His death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and live within us.

God’s kingdom – His rule and authority – came to earth through Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit in our lives – the kingdom of God within us – empowers us to walk in righteousness.

Thank you God that Your kingdom is here – within me! Help me to live in that reality. Amen.

Questions: How does knowing the kingdom of God is within you affect you? How have you experienced the power of the kingdom in your life?

Tags: devo, Devotional, Jesus, kingdom of God, Matthew 4:17, Suzanne Benner

5 Responses to “The Kingdom of God is Near”

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Corrine Vooys says:

January 27, 2012 at 7:45 am

Not sure I’ve actually heard it put quite like that. Thought-provoking! How could I not have heard that in my not-so-short life?! Thanks, Suzanne.
Andrea says:

January 26, 2012 at 8:48 pm

Knowing that the Kingdom of God is within me causes me to keep my live clean so he can always rest with me in a clean vessel! So I strive to live Christ daily.
Suzanne Benner says:

January 25, 2012 at 11:25 am

What a great analogy Sandy!

Heavenly Father, I pray that You would show us how to live as citizens of the kingdom of God, while we are visiting this earth. Amen.
Sandy says:

January 25, 2012 at 10:33 am

If I were to visit China for a while I would still be a citizen of the United States with all the privileges and responsibilities of a citizen of the USA. It helps me to understand the Kingdom of God. I am like a visitor traveling on the Earth. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God with all the rights and responsibities of a citizen of the Kingdom of God. That includes the power that a citizen of the Kingdom of God should have and the responsibility to live as a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Some day I will go home to be with Jesus and others who have gone home before me. While I am still here on Earth since I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God and have all the privlidges including the power of God that go with being a citizen.
Barbara says:

January 25, 2012 at 7:02 am

Suzanne, Great devotional! So many people do not realize that God’s Holy Spirit resides within them. That beleivers in Christ make up the body/church of God. It is not about a brick building where we gather once or twice a week. I have been afflicted with many challenges BUT with the power of God’s kingdom I’ve been able to overcome such hinderances. To be alive today and doing HIS kingdom work is truley the BEST experience I could ever have hoped or imagined. Till He brings us home…may we all recognize the power of the Holy Spirit within.