Know that the Kingdom of God is Near

“Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. 

When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves 

and know that summer is now near; 

in the same way, when you see these things happening, 

know that the Kingdom of God is near." 

LUKE 21:29-31

The concept of the Kingdom of God holds significant spiritual and theological meaning. In the Bible, Jesus often spoke about the Kingdom of God, emphasizing its nearness and calling people to repentance and belief. While the physical world may change and eventually cease to exist, the truth and wisdom found in His words endure forever. It’s a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of divine truth and the reliability of God’s promises.

Jesus told his disciples a parable: “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. (Luke 21:29-33)

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). This statement highlights that the Kingdom of God is not distant but is immediately accessible. It invites us to turn away from our old ways and embrace the good news of God’s reign. In Luke 17:21 Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is within us. It’s not merely a physical place but a spiritual reality. When we align our hearts with God’s will, His kingdom becomes present in our lives. Matthew 4:17 declares, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus inaugurated this kingdom during His earthly ministry. It’s not just a future hope; it’s a present reality where God’s rule is established on earth. In summary, the Kingdom of God is both a future hope and a present reality. It calls us to live in alignment with God’s purposes, seeking His reign in our hearts and actions.

In this prophetic vision, Daniel sees the Son of Man, a divine figure who receives authority and rulership from God. The Son of Man is granted dominion, representing His sovereignty over all creation. His glory shines forth, revealing His divine nature. The global impact of His reign transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries. The Son of Man’s dominion is eternal. Unlike earthly kingdoms that rise and fall, His kingship remains unshaken. It’s a promise of hope and stability.

In the vision I, Daniel, saw during the night, the four winds of heaven stirred up the great sea, from which emerged four immense beasts, each different from the others. The first was like a lion, but with eagle’s wings. While I watched, the wings were plucked; it was raised from the ground to stand on two feet like a man, and given a human mind. The second was like a bear; it was raised up on one side, and among the teeth in its mouth were three tusks. It was given the order, “Up, devour much flesh.” After this I looked and saw another beast, like a leopard; on its back were four wings like those of a bird, and it had four heads. To this beast dominion was given. After this, in the visions of the night I saw the fourth beast, different from all the others, terrifying, horrible, and of extraordinary strength; it had great iron teeth with which it devoured and crushed, and what was left it trampled with its feet. I was considering the ten horns it had, when suddenly another, a little horn, sprang out of their midst, and three of the previous horns were torn away to make room for it. This horn had eyes like a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly. As I watched, Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. I watched, then, from the first of the arrogant words which the horn spoke, until the beast was slain and its body thrown into the fire to be burnt up. The other beasts, which also lost their dominion, were granted a prolongation of life for a time and a season. As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away; his kingship shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:2-14)

Jesus, in the New Testament, identifies Himself as the Son of Man. Ultimately, this vision of Danile points to the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, who brings redemption, justice, and restoration. His kingship is unassailable, and His love extends to all peoples. God is always present, whether we feel it or not. Praising Him helps us sense His presence. Psalm 140:13 says that the righteous praise His name and live in His presence.

“Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. Everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. You dolphins and all water creatures, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever. All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever. All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.” (Daniel 3:75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81)

Praising God holds immense spiritual significance and plays a vital role in our faith journey. When we praise God, it lifts our spirits. Psalm 42:5-6 reminds us that even in discouragement, we can put our hope in God and praise Him. Worship energizes us by shifting our focus from troubles to Jesus. Sometimes we face issues we can’t figure out. Worshiping God brings us into His presence, where solutions emerge. Praise opens our hearts to divine guidance. As God becomes bigger in our view, our problems diminish. We choose whether our problems or God will be big.

Praise is a weapon against spiritual battles. It shifts our focus from problems to God’s power. Victory comes as we magnify Him. In summary, praising God is an act of faith, a source of strength, and a way to encounter His presence. Let us continue to lift our voices in worship!

Pericope:

VI: The Teaching Ministry in Jerusalem

THE LESSON OF THE FIG TREE

Luke 21:29-33

II: Daniel's Vision

VISION OF THE FOUR BEASTS

Daniel 7:1-28

I: Daniel and the Kings of Babylon

THE FIERY FURNACE

Daniel 3:68-81

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Bing chat

Inherit the Kingdom

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father. 

Inherit the kingdom prepared for you 

from the foundation of the world." 

MATTHEW 25:34

These words resonate with hope and promise, inviting us to a divine inheritance beyond our earthly existence. They remind us of the eternal love and grace that await those who follow a path of compassion, kindness, and selflessness.

In this profound invitation, we find solace and encouragement—a reminder that our actions matter, and that even small acts of goodness contribute to a greater purpose. May we strive to be blessings to others, sharing love and light in a world that often yearns for both. As we journey through life, may we embrace the legacy of kindness, empathy, and generosity, knowing that the kingdom prepared for us transcends time and space.

Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)

The lost—the ones who wander aimlessly—are sought out, their path illuminated by unwavering love. The strayed—the ones who veer off course—are gently guided back, their steps retraced with patience. The injured—the wounded souls—are tenderly bound up, their hurts acknowledged and soothed. The sick—the ailing hearts—are healed, their brokenness made whole.

Thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God.  The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly. As for you, my sheep, says the Lord God, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats. (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17)

Yet, there is a stark contrast—the sleek and the strong. These, too, are shepherded, but their fate is different. Their strength, when misused, becomes their downfall. Their sleekness, when devoid of compassion, leads to destruction. And so, the shepherd’s role is multifaceted: protector, healer, guide, and, when necessary, executor of justice. In this intricate dance, he tends to each sheep, knowing their unique needs and vulnerabilities.

These words echo with the wisdom of a compassionate shepherd, tending to his flock. In their poetic cadence, we glimpse the delicate balance between mercy and justice, care and discipline. May we, too, embrace this balance—extending grace to the lost, strength to the weak, and discernment to shepherd rightly. For within these words lies a profound call to compassion, justice, and stewardship of souls.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose. Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6)

These timeless words, penned by the psalmist, resonate across generations. They evoke a sense of trust, comfort, and divine care—a shepherd tending to his flock. In the lush green pastures, we find rest—a respite from life’s demands. Beside tranquil waters, our souls are rejuvenated, and weariness dissipates. The shepherd’s guidance is unwavering, leading us along righteous paths, safeguarding our well-being. These verses transcend literal interpretation. They speak to our spiritual hunger, our thirst for meaning, and our longing for guidance. Whether in times of joy or adversity, they remind us that we are cared for, led, and known by a loving Shepherd. May these words continue to resonate within us, guiding our steps and comforting our hearts. 

Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28)

Jesus being ‘subject to God’ holds deep theological significance. This refers to the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, where Christ’s authority is acknowledged, and God’s supremacy is fully realized.

The Greek word used for “subjected” is hypotassō, which means to arrange under, submit, or place in subordination. It implies a voluntary submission, not coercion. It’s not about inferiority but rather alignment with divine purposes. Jesus is both fully divine (the eternal Son of God) and fully human (incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth). His submission to the Father occurs within the context of His humanity.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus willingly submitted to the Father’s will. He said, “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). His obedience was an expression of love and alignment with God’s plan for redemption. The Father-Son relationship within the Trinity is eternal. Jesus, as the Son, has always been in perfect harmony with the Father.

His submission doesn’t diminish His deity but highlights His role in redemption. After the final victory (including defeating death), Jesus will subject all things to God.

It’s not a permanent change in His divine nature but a fulfillment of His mission. Jesus’ submission to God is a beautiful interplay of love, obedience, and divine plan. It doesn’t diminish His deity but underscores His role as the obedient Son who leads us to the Father. 

The goal is that “God may be all in all.” This points to cosmic reconciliation, where God’s reign is absolute, and every heart aligns with His will. Jesus’ submission contributes to this ultimate purpose. 

“God is all in all” points to a future where God’s love, justice, and glory prevail. A time when God’s supremacy is fully realized. It invites us to participate in this divine plan by aligning our lives with His purposes. In summary, it’s a vision of cosmic reconciliation—a time when God’s reign is absolute, and every heart echoes, ‘God is all things to me.’

Pericope:

VI: Ministry in Judea and Jerusalem

THE JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS

Matthew 25:31-46

IV: Salvation for Israel

PARABLE OF THE SHEPHERDS / SEPARATION OF THE SHEEP

Ezekiel 34:1-16/17-31

First Book of Psalms 1-41

THE LORD, SHEPHERD AND HOST

Psalm 23:1-6

V: The Resurrection - B. The Resurrection of the Dead

CHRIST THE FIRSTFRUITS

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Reflection Source:

Microsoft Bing

The kingdom of God is in the midst of you

 "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;

nor will they say, `Lo, here it is!' or `There!' 

for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."

LUKE 17:20-21

Jesus answered the Pharisees who asked him when the kingdom of God would come. 

Jesus told them that the kingdom of God was not something that could be observed or located in a specific place, but rather it was within them, or in their midst, meaning that it was present in His person and ministry. 

Different translations of the Bible may use different words to express this idea, such as “among you”, “in your hearts”, or “surrounding you”. Some interpreters understand this verse to mean that the kingdom of God is a spiritual reality that can be experienced by anyone who believes in Jesus and follows his teachings. Others see it as a reference to the future manifestation of God’s reign that will be revealed at the end of the age. (Microsoft Bing)

Lord Jesus, You are the giver of life in its fullness who holds my past, present, and future. Thank You so much for giving me a life that is peaceful, comfortable, abundant, and complete.

Today, I look forward to more glorious days ahead. Each moment with You brings full of joy and peace to my heart, knowing and believing that I am well loved. I humbly dedicate myself to You for You alone can make me whole. I just surrender all my concerns, worries, and cares to You my Lord. 

Life is not worth preserving and will only be meaningless and futile without You. You are the one true source of all my joy who breathes life to me each day. Please be with me at all times so that I may avoid the temptations of evil. Fiil me with Your love so that I may walk in righteousness and in truth. Have mercy on me and cast out all evil that is in me replacing them with the fullness of Your love and peace. I pray for the grace, Lord, to build meaningful memories and legacies. 

I face the present times knowing and believing that You will guide, protect, and see me through the day. I look forward to the future, full of hope and confidence that what You have stored for me will be the best. What I have are all Yours and at any given time, You can take all these away from me. You are more than enough to make all my dreams and wishes come true. Truly, You alone can make me rich in every way. 

With much love and thanksgiving, I humbly offer Your back all the glory and praise now and forever. Amen.

Pericope:

V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative

THE COMING OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD / THE DAY OF THE SON OF MAN

Luke 17:20-21/22-37