The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Luke 17:20–37
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A young psychology student serving in the Army decided to test a theory. Drawing kitchen duty, he was given the job of passing out apricots at the end of the chow line. He asked the first few soldiers that came by, “You don’t want any apricots, do you?” Ninety per … More

Expectation

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would appear (v. 20). Their question was legitimate but it was also tragic. Jesus had been ministering among them for three years and these men were still in spiritual darkness. They did not understand who Jesus was or what He was seeking to do.

Jesus says, “the kingdom of God is within you.” One thing for certain is that He was not telling those unbelieving Pharisees that the kingdom of God is in their hearts (v.21). It seems that He was saying,"Don’t look for the kingdom unless the King is first in your heart.” The Pharisees were so preoccupied with the great events of the future that they were ignoring the opportunities of the present. Still today we must resist looking to institutions or programs for evidence of the progress of God’s kingdom. Instead we should look for what God is doing in peoples hearts.

Having spoken to the Pharisees of His messianic kingdom, Christ now turns to the disciples to explain how men shall one day desire to see the kingdom, but will not be able to(v. 22). He compares the days of Noah and Lot to the time when He will return in judgment with power and glory. Both Noah and Lot lived in days of religious compromise and moral decline (vv. 23-37). In those days men went about without any thought of God. It will be the same when Christ comes back to set up His kingdom. In fact, the discerning believer can see on every hand how the days of compromise and moral decline are increasing, as it was in the days of Noah and Lot.

Application

Am I really looking, with great expectation, for our Lord’s return? Do I really want to see Him come or do I have things I want to do first?

Luke 17:20-37 (English Standard Version)

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