Secrets of the Kingdom of God

Have you ever heard someone say, "Repent, the Kingdom of God is near!"? 

What feelings or thoughts come to mind when you hear that? 

Honestly,  I have always had mixed emotions about that verse...until recently. God gave me a new perspective on this. 

^{John 1: 14} After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

One of the ways I've seen this verse was futuristic...Jesus is coming back soon, better get my life in order...oh my goodness! And, Luke 20:30 does lend itself to that thought pattern.   

But, in John 1:14-15 we see a different concept. What Jesus meant when he said this was literally...the kingdom has come near...it is standing right in front of you!

How much closer can it get? 

Jesus was standing there, offering people heaven on earth. 

In the Old Testament, there was a system for getting near to God. People made long treks to the temple. They cleansed themselves before coming close to God. And even then, they needed a priest or a profit to tell them the things of God.  

Fast forward to the New Testament. God, through his Holy Spirit, would now live on the inside of his people. Awesome news! 

The Kingdom of God is near! 

I'm so glad He lives on the inside of me, being my comforter, being my peace, my joy!  While I love to go to church, I'm glad He doesn't only reside in church...but in my heart...where I can access him anytime....whether I'm clean or dirty, full of sin or repented. He is there!

Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is Near

Ah, that verse? Really??  Keep reading!

What feeling or thought comes to mind when you hear that verse? Honestly, for me, I have had mixed emotions about that verse for a long time...until this week. Now, I'm going around saying to myself, "Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near," and it brings a smile to my face.

One of the ways I've seen this verse was futuristic...Jesus is coming back soon, better get my life in order...oh my goodness!  But, what Jesus meant when he said this verse was literally, the kingdom is near...standing right in front of you! How much nearer can it get! Jesus was standing there, offering people none other than heaven itself.

God would now  live on the inside of his people. No more long treks to the temple. No more cleansing themselves before they could even come close to God. He would now live on the inside of them! Awesome news for them and us.

I'm so glad he lives on the inside of me, being my comforter, being my peace, my joy!  While I love to go to church, I'm glad he doesn't only reside in church...but in my heart...where I can access him anytime....whether I'm clean or dirty, full of sin or repented. He is there!