Author : William J. Stewart (via lookinguntojesus.net)
Matthew 6:9-13 records for us what has been called by most “The Lord’s Prayer”. The Lord had no intention for this prayer to be collectively repeated (as is done in some assemblies), but rather provided it as a simple and perfect example of how we ought to pray. He began, “In this manner, therefore, pray…” In Luke’s parallel to this text, we are told, “…one of his disciples said unto him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'” (Luke 11:1) To make this prayer anything more than an example given by the Lord is to attribute to it something that the Scriptures do not.
Yet another basis to rule out repetition of this prayer, and the focus of this article is the statement, “…thy kingdom come…” Simply, if the Lord’s kingdom has come (which I believe the Scriptures clearly teach), then to states these words can be nothing but a vain repetition (Matthew 6:7). Thus, let us consider whether the Lord’s kingdom has come or not.
THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!'” (Matthew 3:1-2) John preached with a sense of urgency, acknowledging the coming of the Lord’s kingdom. Furthermore, “…after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.'” (Mark 1:14-15)
Due to the coming of the kingdom, when the people of one Galilean city “…sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them;…He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.'” (Luke 4:42-43) To His disciples, acknowledging the nearness of the kingdom, Jesus commanded, “…whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.'” (Luke 10:8-9)
JESUS TEACHES ABOUT THE KINGDOM
Since Jesus taught of a fast approaching kingdom, and compelled His disciples to do likewise, it is no surprise that we find much mention of the kingdom in Jesus’ teaching. As Jesus spoke in parables, he taught people about the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:24-43).
When standing trial before Pilate, Jesus spoke pointedly about the nature of the kingdom, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36) The Lord’s kingdom is not an earthly kingdom to be established from an earthly headquarters (as some suppose), but rather a spiritual kingdom. “Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, see here! or see there! For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.'” (Luke 17:20-21)
EVEN IN THAT GENERATION
To place a time frame for the coming of the kingdom of God, Jesus told His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” (Mark 9:1; cf. Luke 9:27) To Peter, Jesus promised, “…I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 16:18) Shortly after the Lord’s ascension into heaven, even on the day of Pentecost, Peter opened the door to the kingdom of heaven, the Lord’s church (Acts 2).
THE KINGDOM IS ESTABLISHED
The Scriptures teach plainly that the kingdom has been established. Paul wrote, “He had delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14; cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12). Either we are still walking in darkness, or we have been conveyed “…into the kingdom…”
The apostle John wrote of Jesus “…who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father…” (Revelation 1:5-6) We cannot be kings and priests, the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), if there is no kingdom or temple. Further, John calls himself, “…your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ…” (Revelation 1:9) Again, John recorded “…a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our god, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:10-11)
In a time when the kingdom had not yet come, Jesus prayed “…thy kingdom come…” For any to pray likewise today rejects the teaching of Scripture that the kingdom of heaven, the Lord’s church has come, and is present. The apostle Paul wrote, “…as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-25) Jesus is now reigning over his kingdom (Acts 2:32-36).
