Many Christians think of the kingdom of God as being something like the Disney castle logo modelled on Schloss Neuschwanstein in Bavaria. But the real kingdom is a spiritual one that one day will descend from a “new heaven” to a “new earth” (Revelation 21:2,19) However, the Kingdom of God ‘touches earth’ whenever and wherever the name of Jesus is preached (Acts 8:12). “Name” refers to our Lord’s identity, his character, his attributes, and not least, his accomplishments.
When the Kingdom descends in the fullest sense, the will of God is done on earth, as it is in heaven. Heavy hearts are lifted, and sick bodies are healed. Through faith however, the kingdom of God is already within our reach. What I had thought other-worldly is really touchable and tangible in the works of the Lord through what His people are doing on earth.
I had thought of those who taught the Kingdom as being a bit “too heavenly minded to be of any earthly use” but I had been wrong. How much so, I found out when I travelled through Europe with Christians who not only taught the values of the kingdom but also practiced them. They did so not for profit but because they were led to do so, and they did so by rolling up their sleeves and getting to work.
One of the projects that benefited from their ministry was the burned out Kinmel Hall in North Wales, which a man of faith and vision restored with the help of his family and believers such as our friends led by God to the project. They set to work using their abilities on what after completion became a fully restored and expanded two hundred room building.
Many Christians think of the Kingdom of God pretty much the same as I did, very likely because to them the Kingdom of God is either a future hope or a present power that is purely spiritual. Both views are correct in the sense that “Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” will be the Kingdom in its finality as established on earth by the returned Lord Jesus.
However, Luke 11:20 records Jesus as saying: “But if I with the finger of God — “Spirit of God” in Matthew 12:28 — cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you [suddenly and unexpectedly].” I witnessed such a ‘coming’ of the Kingdom in LA when, after I finished preaching on this subject, the pastor stepped forward and challenged: “We’ve heard of this Kingdom — now let’s see the power of it!”
He saw that within minutes, when I cast out a shrieking demon from a young woman that on my command had thrown her across the aisle and onto the floor between seats. When told to leave her it did so immediately and she was healed of Bulimia! (Friends of ours in LA knew her and later told us that the Lord Jesus had restored her to good health.)
So whether with rolled-up sleeves or with a voice of authority, the Kingdom of God is being established on earth day-by-day, through the helpful acts and the powerful authority of those who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I pray that having read this you will do which of the two equally spiritual things is required!