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     Just months before Jesus embarked on His three-years ministry nearly 2000 years ago, John the baptizer, commanded the Jews, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2).  Jesus began His preaching with the same command, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).  What is a kingdom?

     A kingdom has four basic elements.  If it is missing any one of them, it is not a kingdom.  They are:  (1) King (the power concentrated in one sovereign ruler); (2) Subjects (citizens subject to the king); (3) Standard by which the king rules (royal edicts / decrees); (4) Territory (the land called the kingdom where his subjects live and over whom the king exercises his authority).
     Jesus’ command was 2000 years ago, but both He and John said the kingdom was “at hand,” meaning it was coming soon.  So where is the kingdom of which they spoke?

     Also at the beginning of His teaching, Jesus declared to His disciples, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11).  In addition to the kingdom being “at hand,” Jesus said it was a “mystery.”   Where is this mysterious at-hand kingdom?

     Hours before being crucified, Jesus responding to the Roman governor Pilate, said “You say rightly that I am a king” (John 18:37).  Moments before that, Jesus told him, “My kingdom is not of this world.  If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (Jn 18:36).  So Jesus’ mysterious kingdom was coming soon and not in this world, i.e., on earth.  How can this be explained?

     Jesus left the earth, ascending into heaven.  Then 10 days later, Peter declared God “...would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne” (Acts 2:30).  The context tells us Jesus’ is sitting on His throne in heaven (cf Acts 2:31-36).  Thus, the term, “kingdom of heaven” which Jesus declared as He began to preach (Matthew 4:17).
     Jesus is the King ruling from heaven.  What are His royal edicts, the standard by which subjects obey the king?  How did He get them to be His subjects?  More on this mysterious kingdom next week!

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