Is the Kingdom of God just a future thing, or is it something we can experience right here, right now?
[This video's "ology" is "eschatology"
Now, you might have heard some people out there saying that the Kingdom of God is still off in the distant future, waiting for the right time to swoop in and save the day.
But hold on just a minute, because I've got some scriptures that might just flip that script.
Let's start with the big one: Revelation 11:15 tells us that
“The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15, NLT)
If this verse refers to events taking place in the first century, as Preterists claim, then we have a clear statement that the Kingdom is already here!
But what does that mean for us? Well, according to Jesus himself, the Kingdom of God is all about God's will being done right here on earth.
“May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, NLT)
What does that mean?
What are some of the big things that people associate with the future kingdom of God?
Many expect that believers are going to be raised from the dead in order to reign with Jesus.
“…[God] raised us from the dead along with Messiah and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Messiah Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6, NLT)
The Gospel would go out throughout the whole world…
“…this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.” (Romans 16:26, NLT)
New Covenant promises like hearts being recreated…
“…anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person…” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)
With God’s law being written on our hearts
“They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts…” (Romans 2:15, NLT)
And being filled with the Spirit… Peter said in Acts 2 that what was happening to them was the fulfilment of what Joel said.
“…what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.” (Acts 2:16-17, NLT)
These are realities that all Christians have access to now.
So what's the deal with those who say the Kingdom is still on layaway for the future?
Well, they're not entirely wrong.
There's plenty of evidence that this world and we ourselves aren't quite what we should be.
But that doesn't mean the Kingdom isn't already here and now.
Whether you believe in a future Kingdom or not, let's not miss out on the kingdom realities that are available to us right here, right now.
Let's embrace the transformation, the forgiveness, and the love that Jesus offers us today.