The Kingdom of God is at hand.
Historians teach that John the Baptist was arrested by Herod around the year 29AD. At about the same time or a little after, Jesus said the words above. What can we take from these words? It is important for us to have as clear an understanding of the meaning of this sentence as possible. "Why?", you might ask. Well, some may believe that we are working our way to the kingdom of God. If that is the case, what, then, does Jesus mean that the kingdom is at hand? Does it mean that what some believe (the kingdom is something later, after our death) is different from this kingdom Jesus is talking about.
Pope John Paul II in Redemptoris Missio #15 tried to assist us learn something about a challenging topic:
In a word, the kingdom of God is the manifestation and the realization of God's plan of salvation in all its fullness.
It is about salvation. To explain it fully is impossible in a short space. Let me offer several points.
1. This kingdom is one where God has supremacy.
2. This the seed for this kingdom can found in the Church as established by Jesus to bring his message and the Father's will to those in the Church.
3. This kingdom is to be found in heaven from whence Jesus has come as King and Founder.
4. There will be a time of conflict in the kingdom of God on earth before the final victory of this kingdom of heaven.
so we can understand that the kingdom of God has two parts prior to the final ending on earth.
So, a little heavy theology to distract those suffering the Redskins' Wild Card loss on Sunday!
