Gospel Reflections #111: The Kingdom of Heaven Has Come

Matthew 3:2 Repent. The kingdom of heaven has come near."

The verb "repent" is an imperative and can be translated "turn," "return," "change your mind," "change your way," etc. To repent means to turn around, to turn toward God. It does not mean simply lamenting our sins or repenting in order to have our sins forgiven.

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a place, a country in heaven, but a place or space to be with God. The Kingdom of God is already present in our hearts. You experience God's presence with you because God is present in your heart. But God is not just that, He longs to live with us and live with us as a reality, and when He is ready (the time is right) for the Kingdom of Heaven, He will come for us.

To express this verse more simply, "Turn toward God. When the time is right for God, He will come for us. It will be soon. So, look toward God and look forward to His arrival!

I believe that this is a gospel message. This is joyful news and glad tidings. It is God who prepares us, and we are just looking forward to waiting for His welcome. God prepares everything for us. Because we are God's children!

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.