Repent, For The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand

"From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (1)

Early in His ministry, Jesus sounded the note of a major theme of His, repentance and the kingdom of heaven. He reinforced this message when He said, "I must preach the kingdom of God--, because for this purpose I have been sent." (2)

In the Sermon on the Mount He talked about the necessities of life, "Do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'.. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (3)

Through parables Jesus described various aspects and elements of the kingdom of heaven. The disciples asked Jesus one day, "What does this parable mean? And He said, 'To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.' " (4), and He went on to tell them the meaning of the parable. (5)

One day Jesus had a conversation with chief priests and elders of the people who confronted Him as He was teaching. They asked, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" (6) Jesus avoided answering their question directly and asked them a question. "What do you think?" He said, and then went on to tell about two sons who were asked by their father to work in his vineyard. One said no, but then he changed his mind and did go to work in his father's vineyard. The other son said he would, but then he did not. Jesus asked, "Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to Him, 'The first.' Jesus said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him." (7) Those who believe the message that God sent John the Baptist, Jesus and all the prophets to deliver, are the ones who receive the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus sent His disciples to preach the kingdom of God. (8). He said to them, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." (9)

Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come. He answered them "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." (10)

It is the Father's joy and pleasure to share His kingdom with us. "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (11)

The love of God toward us is more wonderful than we can imagine.

1. Matthew 4:17.
2. Luke 4:43.
3. Matthew 6:31-33.
4. Luke 8:9, 10.
5. See Matthew 13:11.
6. Matthew 21:23.
7. Matthew 21:31, 32.
8. Luke 9:2.
9. Luke 9:60.
10. Luke 17:20, 21.
11. Luke 12:32.