“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.” Matthew 4:23-24 (ESV)

It seems that everywhere Jesus preached the good news he performed miracles; signs and wonders (Luke 7:21). The combination of the message and ministry of Jesus were the manifestation of the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus said, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:28 ESV) The signs and wonders Jesus performed was part of the proclamation of the kingdom of God (Matthew 9:35). Not only did Jesus proclaim and demonstrate the kingdom, he commissioned his disciples to heal the sick and proclaim “the kingdom of God has come near you” (Luke 9:1; 10:9). Jesus wanted people to understand that God’s kingdom consists of more than just words but power also (1 Corinthians 4:20). Continue reading →

“The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalms 103:19 (ESV)

Every kingdom has a realm. The realm of the kingdom is the territory over which a king exercises authority. The scriptures clearly tell us that God has complete rule in the universe. David wrote, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV) “For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.” (Psalms 22:28 ESV) Continue reading →

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2 (ESV)

John the Baptist came as “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” (Matthew 3:3 ESV) He was aware that there was one coming after him who would usher in a new kind of kingdom rule on earth. Speaking of Jesus, John told the Pharisees and Sadducees, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:11-12 ESV) Continue reading →