May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.—Matthew 6:10 NLT; “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”— John 6:38 NIV
What exactly does Jesus mean by “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”?
While thinking about these phrases, several questions have been playing on my mind. For example, assuming God is the King of this kingdom Jesus talked about, where is the kingdom located? Is it a literal physical kingdom or of spiritual nature? Is the kingdom here right now or in the future? What exactly is the kingdom of God like? What are the practical realities or characteristics of the kingdom? Who are the citizens of the kingdom, and what is the will of God in Heaven? To understand these questions, we need to go back to Genesis, to the Garden of Eden.
The Garden of Eden is a model of God’s original intention, plan and perfect setting of how the Kingdom of God on earth will look like. A Kingdom with a government, where God is the sovereign ruler and King and man His royal representatives on earth, not just as resident citizens.
A Kingdom with a constitution which is God’s word and command, “…You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die” Genesis 2:16-17 (NLT). This was perfectly obeyed until the Fall.
A Kingdom where His rule is current, immediate and not futuristic, where God enjoys true fellowship and personal relationship with man. “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” Genesis 3:8 (ESV)
A Kingdom where His command is completely obeyed, not questioned or rebelled against. “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!” Psalm 103:19-22 (ESV)
A Kingdom where man was given a mandate: “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it…” Genesis 1:28 (NLT). Where he had a job and purpose, “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.” Genesis 2:15 (NLT)
The Kingdom of God is characterised by righteousness, peace and joy, not falsehood, chaos and sorrow. “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 (NLT)
The setting in the Garden of Eden is just an example of the governmental structure of how the Kingdom of God functions. When we pray— “Your kingdom come”, we are essentially praying for the full and perfect establishment of God’s rule and reign on earth.
This is what I believe Jesus is referring to. This is what He came to earth to show humanity, and what characterised His entire ministry.
Merry Christmas and stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 