“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt 6:10
When you think of a kingdom, you may be thinking in terms of its modern definition, which is a defined territory. However, that is not how the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God is defined. A kingdom in ancient times represented a sphere of reign and influence. When we ask for God’s kingdom to come, we are asking for more of His rule and reign, where His will is done “on earth as it is in heaven.” God has full and supreme rule in heaven. But the earth is different. God’s solution was to entrust mankind with the task to subdue the earth for Him (Gen 1:28).
The task hasn’t changed; we still often seek to subdue the earth and conquer all that is within it, only now it is often done for our own desires and glory (called being “earthly minded”). Humankind has a problem. We are control freaks. We insist on doing things our way. But look at where our control has gotten us. We suffer from AIDS, poverty, diseases, crime, and far too many other things for me to name.
What would happen if all of humanity submitted to the rule of God? What if the will of the Father was done on earth as it is in heaven? “‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’” (Ex 19:5-6).
God called the Israelites to live holy and set apart lives. Why? Because they were to represent Him on earth. As ambassadors to the world, God desired to communicate Who He was to the world and be a light, showing how He would rule this world. He desired to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth, ruling with love and righteousness.
The only problem was that Israel fell into idolatry and disobedience again and again. God was misrepresented. But the mission hasn’t changed. Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of all this, for “what is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). As Christ’s hands and feet in this world we “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Pet 2:8-10).
If humanity were to submit to His rule and reign, He would set all things right. If we refuse to obey Him as King, we are embracing the status quo of this world. Because the kingdom of heaven is God’s sphere of reign and influence, the kingdom of heaven and all its goodness will only come more and more through our submission and obedience. When we let God have His way, rather than insisting on our own rule, He sets all things right. But when Christ returns, the expansion of the kingdom will be complete, consuming the earth and all that is within it. It will be complete and it will last forever.
