The phrase “Thy Kingdom Come” is part of the Lord’s Prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4, where Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. This phrase reflects a deep and central theme in Jesus’ ministry: the coming of God’s kingdom. It carries rich theological and spiritual significance, encompassing both a present reality and a future hope.
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-10):
- “Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.”
The prayer expresses a longing for God’s kingdom to be fully realized in the world and for His will to be done on earth just as it is in heaven. Let’s explore the meaning and implications of the phrase “Thy Kingdom Come”:
1. What is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God refers to God’s reign and rule over all creation. It represents the establishment of God’s sovereign authority, His justice, peace, and righteousness. When Jesus speaks of the “kingdom,” He is not referring to a physical kingdom in the earthly sense but rather to a spiritual kingdom where God’s will is carried out and His purposes are fulfilled.
- Luke 17:20-21: Jesus says, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
- Jesus teaches that the kingdom is not just a distant, future event but something that is already at work in the hearts of believers. It begins spiritually within each person who submits to God’s reign.
2. A Present and Future Reality
The coming of God’s kingdom has both a present and a future aspect:
- Present Reality: Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God through His ministry, death, and resurrection. Wherever Jesus’ authority is accepted, and His values of love, justice, and mercy are lived out, the kingdom is present. This is why Jesus could say, “The kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). The kingdom is already breaking into the world, transforming lives through faith, repentance, and the work of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:28: “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
- This shows that the kingdom was already present in Jesus’ works and His triumph over evil.
- Future Fulfillment: At the same time, the kingdom has not yet been fully realized. Christians believe that Jesus will return in the future to fully establish His reign over all the earth. This is when all creation will be restored, evil will be defeated, and God’s perfect will be done universally. Revelation 21:1-4: The ultimate fulfillment of the kingdom is described in the vision of a new heaven and a new earth, where God will dwell with His people and there will be no more death, mourning, or pain. Praying “Thy Kingdom Come” expresses both the longing for God’s kingdom to grow in the present and the hope for its future, complete manifestation when Christ returns.
3. A Call for Transformation
Praying for God’s kingdom to come is not just a passive wish but an active call for transformation in the world and in our personal lives. When we pray “Thy Kingdom Come,” we are asking for:
- God’s Rule in Our Hearts: This prayer invites God to reign in our hearts, guiding our actions, thoughts, and decisions according to His will. It is a personal submission to God’s authority, asking for His kingdom to take root in our lives so that we live in alignment with His purposes.
- Justice, Peace, and Mercy in the World: The kingdom of God is marked by justice, mercy, and peace. Praying for God’s kingdom means praying for these values to be reflected in the world. It is a desire for a world where God’s love, fairness, and righteousness prevail over injustice, hatred, and evil. Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” By praying “Thy Kingdom Come,” Christians are committing to live out these values in their own lives and work toward making the world more reflective of God’s kingdom.
- The Spread of the Gospel: The kingdom expands as more people come to know Christ and submit to His lordship. Praying for God’s kingdom is also a prayer for evangelism and mission, that more hearts and lives would be transformed by the gospel. Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Praying for the kingdom is a call to spread the good news of Jesus, helping others experience the transformative power of God’s reign in their lives.
4. God’s Will on Earth as in Heaven
The phrase “Thy kingdom come” is closely tied to “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s kingdom comes when His will is done. In heaven, God’s will is carried out perfectly, with no opposition or rebellion. Praying for God’s kingdom to come on earth is a request that God’s perfect will—His justice, love, holiness, and righteousness—be realized in the world as it is in heaven.
5. A Prayer of Hope and Expectation
“Thy Kingdom Come” is also a prayer of hope. It expresses the deep Christian belief that, despite the brokenness and suffering in the world, God’s kingdom is coming and will ultimately triumph. It is a reminder that believers are part of a larger story, one that ends with the full restoration of creation and the reign of God.
- Romans 8:18-21: Paul writes about the hope of creation being liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom of the children of God. This is the hope of the full realization of God’s kingdom.
Conclusion:
“Thy Kingdom Come” is a prayer for God’s rule and reign to be fully realized in the world and in the hearts of individuals. It is both a present reality, as the kingdom is already growing through the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit, and a future hope, pointing to the time when Christ will return and bring the kingdom to its complete fulfillment. As believers pray this, they express their desire for God’s justice, mercy, and love to be evident on earth, and they commit themselves to live according to the values of God’s kingdom, while looking forward to its ultimate realization.
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