"The Coming of the Kingdom" - was the title of a recent article in the Christian Perspective's section. Rev. Peter Scott's article was interesting and had some lovely thoughts, but in my opinion it lacked the very heart of the matter. If the Christian hope for a coming kingdom was in the 'here and now' - I wouldn't be full of the hope and joy that I have and neither would have the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:19). I don't understand why so many Christians have lost sight of the real promised 'kingdom' when it has been the motivating force inspiring countless men and women down through the ages of time to endure suffering and loss, rejoice through persecution and even give up their lives (Hebrews 11:8-16, 32-40: 12:1-2)!

Why should you know about this kingdom? Well, Jesus and His disciples went everywhere preaching 'the Kingdom of God' (Matthew 4:17, 9:35, etc.). It was the essence of the gospel message (Acts 8:12; 28:23,31). Not only was this coming kingdom preached in the New Testament, God began to tell people about it way back in the Old! Abraham was promised the central land of this kingdom - forever (Gen. 13:14-17). David was promised a son who would sit on his throne and reign over Israel - forever (2 Samuel 7:8-16).

The Bible clearly tells us that these promises weren't fulfilled to Abraham in his lifetime (Acts 7:5) because they were for the future - a time not yet come - but very close at hand! When Jesus was born the angel told His mother that God would give Jesus the 'throne of His father David (Luke 1:32-33). Jesus is the son that God promised will one day rule this earth - forever!

Not only that, but God has promised all true believers will also have part in these promises (Galatians 3:27-29)! We too can be involved as administrators of this coming kingdom if we are found faithful at Christ's return (Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, 18, 21-27; Revelation 5:9- 10; Matthew 5:5).

So what is this kingdom? What will it be like? Why is it so exciting to me? When will it come?

There is nothing in this world more precious to me than the hope of this coming kingdom, and thanks to God my hope is not based on 'blind faith'! God has provided abundant detail about this kingdom throughout the Bible.

We know the KING will be the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28; Isaiah 9:6- 8; Luke 1:32-33) His SUBJECTS will be those that survive the time of trouble that will soon come upon this world (Zechariah 14:16; Daniel 7:13-14, 27; Micah 4:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7- 10). The TERRITORY over which the kingdom will extend will be this whole earth (Daniel 2:35, 44; Zechariah 14:9; Isaiah 62:1- 12; Revelation 11:15-18).

The kingdom will even have a CAPITAL CITY - the city of Jerusalem, from which Jesus Christ will rule (Matthew 5:34-35; Psalm 48: 2:6-12; Isaiah 2:1-5). Jesus will oversee the construction of a GRAND TEMPLE in Jerusalem where all nations will come to worship and learn of God's laws (Ezekiel 40-48 (the master plans); Zechariah 6:12-15; Isaiah 11:1-5; Jeremiah 23:5-8; Zechariah 14:16-20). And there's so much more...!!

I want to be in this coming kingdom, not just as a survivor of Armageddon, but as one of the immortal saints working with Jesus to teach the world about Him. I want to live - forever as God has promised to those who choose to love and obey Him now in this life (Romans 6:22-23).

This hope is tremendously exciting to me, because in our world where many are despairing of greenhouse gases, flu epidemics, terrorist strikes, water shortages, famines, nuclear warfare, etc. etc. - I know that God in control and the troubles that we see are the very indications that Jesus Christ will soon be here (Luke 21: 23- 35)! Any day now Jesus will return to resurrect the dead and gather to Him those who must appear at His judgment seat (1 Thessalonians 4:16- 17; John 5:27-29; Corinthians 15:51-54; Timothy 4:1,8).

Jesus prayed "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." What we see on earth today is not God's will being carried out but rather man's opposition to God's will. Psalm 72 describes the true kingdom to come - the world that I long to be a part of and would love everyone to have the opportunity to share!