Not with Observation

 

 

Luke 17:20-21

 

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees,

When the kingdom of God should come,

He answered them and said,

The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Neither shall they say, Lo here!

Or, lo there! for, behold,

The kingdom of God is within you.

 

“The kingdom of God cometh

Not with observation:”

It is important that all understand

This piece of information.

 

Jesus was not speaking to us

But rather, to his generation,

And to be more precise, the Pharisees,

Who were in constant opposition.

 

They were keen to know

When the kingdom would come

For they were expecting much hoorah

Instead of God’s Son.

 

 

 

Not a location

As in the case of Bethlehem,

Neither a “lo here!” or, a “lo there!”

He had said to them.

 

Some are yet awaiting

For the kingdom to come

And this event they are anticipating

In the return of God’s Son.

 

Some believe otherwise

That he has already come

But this, in the coming of Holy Spirit

To vindicate the Son.

 

However, Jesus made it clear

The kingdom had come

And that kingdom is synonymous

With himself, God’s Son.

 

Once when he was accused

Of using Satan’s power,

He made it clear to his accusers

In that very hour.

 

He showed them the folly

Of their conflicting analogy

That if as Satan, he cast out Satan,

Such would be silly.

 

Matthew 12:25-26

 

And Jesus knew their thoughts

And said unto them,

Every kingdom divided against

Is brought to desolation;

And every city or house divided against itself

Shall not stand.

And if Satan cast out Satan

He is divided against himself;

How shall then his kingdom stand?

 

Matthew 12:28

 

But if I cast out devils

By the Spirit of God,

Then the kingdom of God

Is come unto you.

 

 

Why do we yet pray

“Thy kingdom come”?

God’s kingdom has come

In Jesus, His Son.

 

Why do we look for that

Which has already occurred

And when it has been clearly stated

Right in God’s Word?

 

But where is the kingdom

If it has already come?

Where did you get such an idea?

Where did it come from?

 

From Jesus, of course,

From his infallible word

And it’s to Luke chapter 17 again

To which I refer.

 

 Journey back there with me

If you have the time

And if you argue that you haven’t

Then you need to unwind.

 

For it means you are hooked

With things not nearly as critical

As this very important matter

That’s necessary for survival.

 

 

The kingdom has come

And is within you,

Meaning everyone that’s born again

And has been made anew.

 

Luke chapter 17

And verse number 21:

“The kingdom of God is within you.”

Once you are reborn.

 

The exact words of Jesus

As stated in the KJV:

Go to that location right now

And you will see.

 

The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Neither shall they say, Lo here!

Or, lo there! for, behold,

The kingdom of God is within you.

 

Stewart Russell © January 2, 2025