Time of the Kingdom of God

89. Time of the Kingdom of God

Throughout his ministry, Jesus has been trying, with seemingly limited success, to give a new definition of the kingdom of God. We see it in his Discourse on the Kingdom of God, Teaching on Forgiveness, Parable on Forgiveness, Teaching on Tolerance, The Way of Eternal Life, The Definition of Neighbor, Limits of the Kingdom of God, Parables on the Worth of Sinners, Parable on the Basis of Justification, Essential for Entrance into Kingdom, and Parable on the Basis of Reward, among other teachings.

In all of these teachings, Jesus attempts to dispel the notion that the kingdom of God “will come about through violence,” where God descends to earth to cast the evil people into fire while raising the good people to heaven. The kingdom of God that Jesus talks about is one of compassion, mercy, acceptance and understanding.

And how will this kingdom be realized? Not when God descends from his heavenly throne. It will come when people start living it – when we use our “talents” in the service of God to create the kingdom here on earth, rather than hiding our talents away where they do no good.

God is not going to save us. But He has given us what we need to save ourselves.

[See also “Discourse on the Kingdom of God” (Commentary 7-34), “Limits of the Kingdom of God” (Commentary 12-69), “Time of the Kingdom of God” (Commentary 13-79) and “Essential for Entrance into Kingdom” (Commentary 14-84).]