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JESUS’ FUTURE KINGDOM ON EARTH
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
Luke 11:1-13

Revelation 20:1-6

 

“…Thy kingdom come…”

 

JESUS’ FUTURE KINGDOM ON EARTH
 
The Lord’s teaching on prayer is similar to the one found in Matthew 6:9‑13. There, the teaching is part of His sermon on the mount. Here, it is in response to a question by one of His disciples who asked Him concerning how to pray. Basically, prayers ought to be directed to our Father in heaven who is holy. This reminds us of our sinfulness and need to approach Him humbly by confessing our sins.
 
We need to pray for His kingdom to come. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Thy kingdom come”? Has not His kingdom already come? In a sense, yes. As Jesus said, His kingdom is within us (Luke 17:21, cf. Matt 12:28; Mark 1:15; Luke 11:20). It is His spiritual rule in our lives at the present time.
 
Nevertheless, there is an aspect in which the kingdom is still future. It has to do with His physical rule on earth. Jesus must sit on the throne of His father David and rule over the whole world for a thousand years (Isa 11:1‑5; Rev 5:10-13, 20:6). Israel, His chosen nation, must become the number one nation in the world. Jerusalem will be the world’s capital (Isa 2:2-3). The Apostles understood this, and were curious as to when this would happen, hence their question to Jesus before His ascension, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus simply answered that it was not for them to know the time the Father has decided to accomplish this (Acts 1:7). That is why till now we pray, “Thy kingdom come.” When we do this, we are in effect saying, “Lord Jesus, please return soon.”
 
THOUGHT: Israel is the key to understanding prophecy.

PRAYER: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Ps 122:6)

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