Prayer - Part 3

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

YOUR KINGDOM COME

 

Further on in this teaching that Jesus gave on the mount, He says: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Some are of the opinion that this sentence beseeches God to come and establish His rule and authority over the earth, thus eliminating all forms of bad governmental authority, thereby linking it to the events in the Book of Revelation. I do not share that opinion.

It is crucial for our understanding to look at the meanings behind the Greek words that Jesus used, for this whole Sermon on the Mount was spoken in Greek, the widely used language of that day. The word kingdom in Greek is basilěia [bas-il-iʹ-ah), implying your royalty as a sovereign king but also implying, in an abstract manner, to rule leading to sovereign rulership or authority.

The Jews of the day were looking for a Messiah to come and replace the governmental authority over them. In my book The Epic Tale (available on Amazon/Kindle), I have included a chapter on the Intertestamental period, those last four hundred-odd years before Jesus. It is quite horrific to realise what the normal, everyday Jew had to deal with during that period. No wonder they were searching for a ruler, an earthly king to reign. But for others, who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, they understand that we shall all be in Heaven one day where our Father will be present. And so far, as it is, regarding rulership, I understand this to mean that Christ has rulership over my life as I choose to follow Him. Therefore, your kingdom come, is to me an acknowledgment that I must humbly submit my life before Him and agree to allow His will to determine my way forward.

We again refer to what Jesus said: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

 

YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

 

The idea is that we do not do anything that grieves our Father, and neither shall we be grieved by what He does, either in this world or in our personal lives. It is a good thing for us, after praising and thanking God for who He is and what He has done, that we then ask Him, through the Holy Spirit, to highlight areas in our lives that we should change so that we pursue a lifestyle that is pleasing to Him. For from that place where we exude the aroma of Christ, we can make an impact on the earth. It is about showing people who Jesus is, thus bringing glory to the Father.

The word earth in Greek is gē [ghay], implying the solid part of the whole globe, including the people. This points us in the direction of asking God to empower us to be His instruments on planet Earth.

“Let the bounds of the gospel-church be enlarged, the kingdom of the

world be made Christ's kingdom, and all men become subjects to it,

and live as becomes their character."

Daniel Whitby

 

It is important to note that Satan has kingdom authority over the earth. In the story where Jesus is tempted by the devil while in the desert, we read: “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”  
(Matthew 4:8-10).

I suggest that we let Satan have the current earth. Let us pray into the promises of God, lift others up that do not know Christ, and let more people declare: “Your will, not mine, be done.” Whether we see a new earth or a reconditioned earth, we can take joy in the statement that Jesus made, as recorded in Matthew 25:34: “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of this world.” The same Greek word for kingdom is used here, and therefore it would be akin to saying enter into the place established and governed by the Royal King, the Father, the Lord God Almighty.

Imagine a place where all God’s people live in unity, are of one accord, where self has no importance, and mostly importantly, where the glory of God is.