Understand the kingdom
Jesus told his disciples to pray for his kingdom to come. But what exactly is this kingdom, and how exactly will it come? With knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 13,11)Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven to his disciples by using vivid imagery. He would say, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” and then offer comparisons, such as the mustard seed, which is small at first; the man who finds treasure in a field; a farmer who scatters his seeds; or a nobleman who sells all his possessions to acquire a very special pearl. Through these comparisons, Jesus was trying to teach his disciples that the Kingdom of God is “not of this world.” (Joh 18, 36)Nevertheless, the disciples continued to misunderstand his explanations and assumed that Jesus would lead their oppressed people into an earthly kingdom where they would have political freedom, power, and prestige. Many Christians today understand that the Kingdom of Heaven has more to do with the future and is less relevant to our present.
Like a three-stage rocket
While not a single illustration can do justice to the full extent of the kingdom of heaven, the following might be helpful to our context: The Kingdom of Heaven is like a three-stage rocket. The first two stages refer to the current reality of the kingdom of heaven and the third deals with the perfect kingdom of heaven that lies in the future.
Level 1: The beginning
The Kingdom of Heaven begins in our world with the first stage. This happens through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. By being whole God and whole man, Jesus brings the kingdom of heaven to us. As king of kings, wherever God is, the kingdom of heaven is also present everywhere.
Level 2: The current reality
The second stage began with what Jesus did for us through his death, resurrection, ascension, and sending the Holy Spirit. Although he is no longer physically present, he lives in us through the Holy Spirit, bringing us together as one body. The Kingdom of Heaven is now present. It is present throughout the creation. Regardless of which country is our earthly home, we are already citizens of the sky, since we are already under the rule of God and accordingly live in the kingdom of God.
Those who follow Jesus become part of the Kingdom of God. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt 6,10)He instructed them to intercede in prayer for both the needs of the present and the future. As followers of Jesus, we are called to bear witness to our heavenly citizenship in his kingdom, which has already begun. We should not imagine the kingdom of heaven as something that only concerns the future, for as citizens of this kingdom, we are already called to invite our fellow human beings to also become part of it. Working for the kingdom of God also means caring for the poor and needy and ensuring the preservation of creation. Through such actions, we share the good news of the cross, because we represent the kingdom of God, and our fellow human beings can recognize it through us.
Level 3: The future fullness
The third stage of the kingdom of heaven lies in the future. It will then attain its fullness when Jesus comes again and initiates a new earth and a new heaven.
At that time everyone will know God and will be recognized for who he truly is – “all in all”. (1. Kor 15,28)We now have deep hope that everything will be restored at that time. It is encouraging to imagine this state and to reflect on what it will be like, even though we should remember Paul's words that we cannot yet fully understand it. (1. Kor 2,9)But while we dream of the third stage of the Kingdom of Heaven, we should not forget the first two. Although our goal lies in the future, the Kingdom is already present, and because of this, we are called to live accordingly, to share the good news of Jesus Christ, and to allow our fellow human beings to participate in the Kingdom of God (both present and future).
by Joseph Tkach
