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Using the classic phrase, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand,” both Jesus and John the Baptist meant that the ruler of the kingdom of God was now on earth and ready to start His ministry - by preaching the gospel – and fulfilling prophesy (Isaiah 7:14; Daniel 9:24-27, etc.).
The two did not mean that the kingdom of God had begun its reign. Notice that Jesus told His disciples that the Lord’s kingdom had not started ruling yet (Matthew 24:3-51; Acts 1:6-7).
John the Baptist first began preaching about the kingdom of God when he was in the Judean wilderness on the outskirts of Jerusalem: fulfilling prophesy by paving the way for Jesus Christ (who happened to be John the Baptist’s cousin through the Virgin Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth).
Some 40 days After John baptized Jesus in the River Jordan, Christ soon began preaching the kingdom of God also. He would go on to baptize by fire and the Holy Spirit instead of water.
The coming kingdom of God will begin its rulership on earth after the fulfillment of prophesy that foretells several events happening before God’s everlasting kingdom begins to rule.
As Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24, the time of “great tribulation” must first occur, then the New World Order global government army must invade Israel in the Battle of Armageddon.
Some people in those days thought that Jesus the Messiah had come to overthrow the Roman Empire that had colonized Israel.
Yet, although enough prophesy was then available for people to understand that Jesus had not come to establish His kingdom during His ministry, people did not have the information that we have now.
This generation sees that Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God a whole lot in the Bible. We also see that the prophesy-fulfilling kingdom of God is nearer than ever before and will be established faster than you realize.
So repent, watch for the signs of the Lord’s return, pray and seek the kingdom of God first.
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