That's the question Arnold from Different Strokes would ask if he were here today. The way our world is going and our country's direction, does it seem like the kingdom of heaven is here? Many would say, "No," and most would agree. But would Jesus agree? No. Why would Jesus not agree with the naysayers? Because He’s the One that made the statement, "The Kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17 NIV).

Jesus made several kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven statements. He consistently talked about the kingdom’s nearness, presence, existence, and other aspects of the kingdom, but what did He mean? As we look around, we seldom see anything like God’s kingdom here on earth. 

We recently bumped into this question in our Ladies' Tuesday Bible Study as we discussed how Jesus could make such a statement: the kingdom of God is near. Yet, He was consistent in His teaching and some of His parables that His Father’s kingdom is making its appearance on earth. But where?

What did Jesus actually say? While some of the past Bible translations stated that the kingdom of heaven is here/has come, the most recent Bible translations say the kingdom of God/heaven has come near, as Jesus states at the beginning of His ministry in Matthew 4:17.

¹⁷ From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. -Matthew 4:17 (NIV)

So, the various statements, here/near, kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, the kingdom of heaven is in your midst, all carry the same or similar meanings. We are not pointing at any exact statement of Jesus’ teaching about the heavenly kingdom. Rather, in this discussion, we are talking in generalization of His statements. In looking at this world, however, how can Jesus refer to God’s kingdom or any heavenly kingdom existing here on earth?

To understand Jesus' teaching, you might need to become a Christian, a faithful follower of Him because you need to observe the world through a different set of eyes. We certainly see people’s harmful and destructive behavior. We see the catastrophes, both naturally occurring and those brought about by wars. We witness diseases and brokenness caused by physical ailments, so how can anyone see God’s kingdom on earth? You likely can’t – unless you follow Jesus closely. Did you get that? Do you understand? You must get close to Jesus. Very close. You need to not only believe Jesus’ teachings, but you need to faithfully do what He says in spirit, mind, and body.

Let’s take notice of obedience to Jesus’ teaching. We can physically do what Jesus says but hate doing it. That means we carry out Jesus' teaching in the wrong spirit and attitude. That is not anything like God’s kingdom. We must also obey Jesus both in spirit and mind. It takes all three: spirit, mind, and body. And when we physically conform to Jesus' teaching obediently, have the attitude of Jesus, the love of Jesus, and the mindset of Jesus, then we can begin to understand what the kingdom of heaven looks like.

It's living, breathing, thinking, acting, and loving as Jesus lived and loved. We must embrace His mindset and actions. Jesus didn't simply do what His Father asked of Him; He had the mindset of His Father. Jesus thought like God. Jesus embraced His sonship. He wanted to be like His Father in heaven. 

When you were little, did you ever try acting like your parents? Maybe you walked beside or behind them and took great big steps as they walked? Did you see your parents do something, and you tried your best to mimic that action? If so, you likely tried to act and think like your parents. Why? Because you had such a high view of them that you wanted to be like them. You loved them so much that, in a refined way, you tried to impersonate them. You wanted to compliment them by acting like them. In a simple way, at that moment, you tried to have the mindset of your parent because you acted like them to the best of your ability.

When Jesus made statements that God's kingdom was near or that the kingdom of heaven was near, He meant that He was living (in this broken world) as His Father wanted Him to live. Jesus did not retaliate against those who hated Him. Jesus did not sin in weak moments when tempted – as after His forty days of fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus did not chew out His disciples for their dullness of mind. No, Jesus loved them and treated everyone with value. Did He get angry? Sure, when people devalued God’s temple by turning it into a marketplace (Matthew 21;12-13; Mark 11:15-18). Jesus also got angry with the Jewish religious leaders when they continued to live in hypocrisy to God’s teachings (Matthew 23:13-36). So, how did Jesus live? He lived to please His Father.

For example, let’s examine Jesus’ miracles. The vast majority of them restored things to the way God originally intended. His miracles restored sight to the blind the way God intended for people to see. He healed the lame so they could walk as God originally designed people. Jesus raised the dead as God intended that we do not die. Of course, they died again, but Jesus temporarily restored order according to God's original design. Jesus was in the restoration business. He restored things and life to the way God designed as in the beginning. His work was kingdom restoration.

Another way Jesus restored God's intention was through His death on the cross. All of humankind sinned, which broke the relationship with God. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life to become the perfect sacrifice, making our restoration possible with God. Jesus was all about kingdom restoration.

So, Arnold of Different Strokes, go ahead and ask what Jesus meant in His kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven statements because it's really quite simple. When Christians live the way Jesus lived by having the mindset of Jesus, the spirit of Jesus, and acting like Jesus, we live as God originally designed us to live. As stated by one lady in the Ladies Tuesday Bible Study where this discussion began, we are to live as though seeing through the eyes of Jesus. Respond as Jesus responded. Live as Jesus lived. Jesus said we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). When we live as Jesus lived, we are light for everyone to see how Jesus lived His life on earth. We are the light that lives as God designed us to live before sin entered us.  

If you took 100 Jesuses and put them in a bubble to live, they would live as the kingdom of God/kingdom of heaven. It would be heavenly living. Likewise, if you took 100 Christians who did their best to live like Jesus and placed them in a bubble, they too would live as the kingdom of God/kingdom of heaven. Neither, however, is possible. But what is possible is for we Christians, who are truly dedicated Christ-followers, to live as Jesus lived. If we live in this broken world yet truly obey Jesus, love like Jesus, and respond to both good and evil like Jesus, then we are living like the kingdom of heaven while here on earth.

You're correct; you cannot do it. All of us are sinners (Romans 3:23). We have all fallen far, far short of God's expectations, which is why He sent Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice. But God raised Jesus from the dead so that we can have forgiveness of our sins. God restored the bridge for us to return to Him.  

Because God knows we cannot live sinless lives, He sent Jesus to make restoration to Him possible, but what does that mean for us? It means that in obedience to Jesus, God wants us to do our very best to live as Jesus lived. God has done His part. Jesus has done His part. Now it’s up to us to do our part. Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:13), and then live faithfully in obedience to Jesus. In doing so, we live as children of God living in the kingdom of heaven. Although we are still in this broken world, we live in God's kingdom here on earth until Jesus returns to take us with Him to truly live in the kingdom of heaven with no more sin, no more sorrow, and no more pain or suffering. It will undoubtedly be kingdom living.

Love you,

 Kenny