Already, completely…. and also not yet

This morning I read a paradoxical truth about the sovereignty of God. In Hebrews 2: 8, we're told - past tense - that absolutely everything has been put under the feet of Jesus. He has complete authority and there is nothing that is not subject to Him. Then, in the very next breath, we are told that "we do not yet see everything subject to Him" here on earth. God's kingdom coming to earth is not only an established fact in the past, it is also a progressive reality in the present, and an unfailing promise for the future.

I think that's why Jesus told us to pray, "May your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven." His life, death and resurrection established a bridgehead for the kingdom of God on earth, but Jesus knew that seeing God's rule come completely would be a progressive and ongoing process that the people of God would need to participate in. We participate by praying for God's kingdom to come on earth, and also share in making it happen when we live lives that are submitted to Him, and when we engage in other kinds of spiritual warfare as necessary.

Jesus didn't usually say, "The kingdom of God is here." He more often said, "The kingdom of God is near." And He invites us to be part of bringing it nearer!