SO far, we have emphasized that the kingdom of our Lord is both here now, and soon to come. It is important to keep this in mind so as not to fall into the error of the Jews. The Jews were greatly mistaken in respect to the nature of that kingdom which their Messiah was to set up.

They expected a kingdom like the kingdoms of this world, invested with earthly splendor, fitted to aggrandize their nation, and minister to their national pride. Christ sought to undeceive them. He told them that his kingdom did not come with outward show that it must be within men, and that it was not of this world.

John 18:36, Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Christ would have them understand that it was spiritual, and not temporal; demanding the homage of the heart, and not the pomp and pageantry so commonly rendered to royalty.

The simple idea of Christ’s kingdom is that the Lord rules and reigns in the hearts of believers, securing the perfect submission of the will, and the consecration of every power to himself. Thus his kingdom is within; it is invisible.

He writes his laws in the hearts of men by his Spirit, and thus rules over them to deliver them from Satan and sin, and translate them into his own kingdom of peace and love.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

To seek the kingdom implies that we seek to belong to it  seek to know Christ’s will and to do it  seek to be recognized by Christ as one of his subjects, and seek to promote the interests of this kingdom, as all true subjects of any kingdom do, and should do if the government deserves their support.