The Kingdom of God

Pilate asked Jesus “Art thou the King of the Jews?” (John 18:33.) and Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews.” (John 18:36.)

Jesus told Pilot what Pilot needed to hear. He was able to honestly say that his kingdom was not established on the earth. Not yet. However, the irony of the situation is that Jesus was indeed King; The Lord God and Creator of this world and everything on it.

At his second coming “every knee shall bow” to him, and he will “rule and reign” over all nations, tongues and people.

Jesus taught us to look forward to that day, and to pray for it.

“Thy kingdom come.” (Matt 6:10) was taught by Jesus to his disciples when they came to him, saying, teach us how to pray.

Thy kingdom come.

What kingdom? What is the meaning of “thy kingdom come”? It means the rule of God. It means the law of God. It means the government of God. It means the people who have listened to and who are willing to listen to and observe the commands of Jehovah. And it means that there is a God who is willing to guide and direct and sustain his people… Thy kingdom come, that the confusion, the evil, and wickedness, the murder and bloodshed that now exist among mankind may be done away, and the principles of truth and right, the principles of kindness, charity, and love as they dwell in the bosom of the Gods, may dwell with us…

When Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth, He will usher in “a kingdom of peace, righteousness, justice, happiness, and prosperity.” … the kingdom of God [will] be literally established on the earth. It will not be an aerial phantom, according to some visionaries, but a substantial reality. It will be established, as before said, on a literal earth, and will be composed of literal men, women, and children; of living saints who keep the commandments of God, and of resurrected bodies who shall actually come out of their graves, and live on the earth. The Lord will be king over all the earth, and all mankind literally under his sovereignty, and every nation under the heavens will have to acknowledge his authority, and bow to his scepter.

The Teachings of President John Taylor, 1838

Until that glorious day when he comes again to establish his Kingdom – literally – on earth, we can seek for the blessings of the Kingdom of God – spiritually -through prayer. We surely need it. I hope that each of us can find comfort in knowing that “there is a God who is willing to guide and direct and sustain his people“. Indeed, he is always there for us. – MoSop