KINGDOMBITE #2

THE KINGDOM: A MYSTERY

Jesus called the Kingdom a mystery. A mystery is something unexplainable or hidden.

Nowhere does Jesus give a definition of the Kingdom but he gives many illustrations of it, begi9nning with the words, “The kingdom of heaven is like . . .” It is “like a mustard seed, like a man who sowed good seed, like leaven, like treasure hidden in a field, like a merchant looking for fine pearls, like a net let down in a lake.”

Yet, with all the examples, illustrations and parables, the Kingdom remains a mystery. From what Jesus said, we know much of what the kingdom is like but we are still faced with a mystery (Matthew 13:31-47).

There are several reasons for the lingering mystery:

(1) Its magnitude. The Kingdom is larger than man can think or even imagine. No man can wrap his small around something so huge.

(2) The absence of a proper model. While the parables give us some characteristics they do not give us a whole picture of this vast Kingdom.

(3) Jesus chose to speak in a manner in which understanding was not expected.

(4) A full understanding of the mysteries of the Kingdom was meant for a later time. The fact is, the Kingdom is beyond comprehension but not beyond apprehension. It is not hidden from us but for us.

The important thing to remember is that Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness . . . (Matthew 6:33).” There would be very little encouragement to seek something that is perfectly clear. A mystery encourages, even demands a search. Continued searching anticipates finding.

Any language is taxed to its utmost to give description to the Kingdom of God.

Welcome to the supreme mystery of time and eternity and bow before mystery and majesty.

 

Jack Taylor

Comments

[Dan Harris]

For many years now, I have sought the Kingdom of God. The more I seek it, the bigger it gets. I have come to believe that the Kingdom of God has as many facets as the Glory of God. When we read of the throne room vision that John had and try to understand why the four winged creatures fly around the head of God and cry, "Holy, holy, holy," it is a mystery as great as the Kingdom because the creatures see new facets of God's Glory and it overwhelms them to the point they can only cry, "Holy, holy, holy."

As you state, language is taxed beyond measure to try to describe it. As the book you introduced me to, "The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person" said, the Kingdom and the Son are as one as the Father and the Son are. We cannot divide them. As great as God is, so great is His Kingdom.

Blessings,
Dan