What Is Kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God is the main theme of Jesus' proclamation: Mark sums up his ministry with 'The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand!' The concept describes not a territory but God's effective reign as king: his will being done 'on earth, as it is in heaven'. Its roots lie in the Old Testament announcement that 'The LORD reigns' and in the prophets' hope of a just king. Jesus speaks of the kingdom mostly in parables: it begins small like a mustard seed, spreads unseen like yeast in dough, and is worth everything like treasure in a field. Its values overturn the world's measures: the little are great and the last are first. In the New Testament the kingdom is both 'already' and 'not yet': it has come in Jesus' person and works, while its fullness is awaited in the renewal of all things. This is why believers keep praying, 'May your Kingdom come'.