Dear Pastor/Christian
What does it mean to pray for and see the kingdom of God come to earth as it is in heaven? If Jesus instructed us to pray this, we ought to be praying and diligently working to see this come to pass. God must have fully intended to have His kingdom established on earth and in the hearts of men and women everywhere, otherwise why would Jesus have told us to ask God for that?
I want you to consider what the kingdom of God looks like in heaven. Not the physical descriptions so much as the atmosphere and the spiritual realities.
First of all, in heaven, God’s reign is undeniable and unchallenged. There is no question as to who is in charge, who has all wisdom and power and who is to be regarded in all things. Similarly, if we are to see God’s kingdom on earth, God’s rule and reign must be clearly acknowledged and the centrality of His light, His love, His wisdom and His desires need to be intentionally established.
Second, in heaven, that which is temporal doesn’t matter. The temporal things have already passed away or are in process of passing away. What matters is that which remains: The presence of God, the Word of God, the souls of mankind. Even so for us to see that God’s kingdom comes on earth as in heaven we must see to it that eternal things are paramount and temporal things are considered as nothing. Eternal souls hang in the balance and we need not waste time on distractions.
Third, in heaven, there is a cleanness, a purity and a wholeness to the people of God. And Jesus taught us to pray that which is in heaven would come here to earth. God desires that His people be made whole. God purifies and cleanses hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. And He doesn’t only wait until the death of the physical body but rather begins it as soon as He is given the opportunity by the individual person who comes to Him in faith.
I know there are countless other things we could discuss that are in heaven. There certainly are things God would clearly desire to establish on earth in our churches, families and our own lives. However, if we pray for and begin working diligently on just these three, I believe we would begin to see the mighty power of God at work. What would it be like in your family and church and your own life if God was honored as Supreme, the temporal things simply didn’t matter and there was an absolute purity of body, mind, and soul?
I can’t wait for heaven and I’m glad I don’t have to. You and I can pray for it, preach it and live it even now “on earth as in heaven”
Christ is with us, Christ is in us
Mike Johnson
Pastor Encouragement 