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The Gospel According to Mark: The Kingdom of God is Near

Mark 1:14-15
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

The Kingdom of God is one of the weightiest subjects in the whole Bible and is arguably the focal point of Jesus’ teachings. The “secret of the kingdom” (Mark 4:11) reveals how God’s economy operates as well as His plans and purposes for creation. This is all very “big picture” stuff, but God’s Kingdom also involves “little ol’ you” and your stuff. In the Gospels, Jesus compels us to repent that we may become citizens of His Kingdom (Mark 1:15) and then teaches us how to live as citizens (Sermon on the Mount, Parables of Kingdom, et. al.). The “secret of the Kingdom” is the secret of a life full of peace, contentment, order, abundance and blessedness!

Matthew 3:1-2
 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 

Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.

Matthew 9:35
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

Matthew 10:7-8
” 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 6:9-10
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.“

Matthew 6:31-34
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

John 3:3
“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

What is the Kingdom of God?

Phases of the Kingdom

  1. The Kingdom in Israel: The King of the Old Covenant people of God (1 Samuel 8:6-7; Matthew 21:43; Luke 19:14, 26-27).
  2. The Kingdom in Christ: The full expression of God’s glory, power and authority (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20).
  3. The Kingdom in the Church: The King of the New Covenant people of God, both Jews and Gentiles (John 3:3; Romans 14:17; Colossians 1:13).
  4. The Kingdom on Earth: The King’s ever increasing reign upon the earth until Christ’s return (Psalm 89:36-37; Isaiah 11:1-9; Daniel 2:44-45; 7:13-14).
  5. The Kingdom in Eternity: (Revelation 21:1-4, 9-11; 22:1-4).

Nature of the Kingdom

  1. Kingdom virtues: Righteousness, joy and peace (1 Corinthians 14:17), the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11), where the righteous dwell in peace, unity and holiness.
  2. Kingdom power: Over satan (Mark 1:34, 39; 3:14-15; Matthew 12:28; Luke 10:17-20; Acts 10:38; 26:18-20), over sickness (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Acts 4:30; 8:7), brings restoration and order to the fallen, sinful world (1 Corinthians 4:20).

Citizens of the Kingdom

  1. Born Again: (John 3:3-8)
  2. Jew and Gentile: (Ephesians 2:11-22; Romans 11:22-24)
  3. Violent: (Matthew 11:12)
  4. Holy: (Matthew 5:3-11)