The Characteristics of the Kingdom

The Characteristics of the Kingdom
We are told much of the characteristics of the Kingdom time in our Lord's Kingdom parables. There is a group of parables that refer to the national rejection then taking place; [Note: Husbandmen: Matthew 21:33-46 with parallels.] a small group urging the disciples then and now to be wise [Note: Virgins: Matthew 25:1-13. Marriage of King's Son: Matthew 22:1-7. Vineyard: Luke 13:6-9.] and faithful [Note: Talents: Matthew 25:14-30. Two Sons: Matthew 21:28-32.] servants during His absence. Then there is a group of parables, teaching directly about the Kingdom time. Four of these are about the spread of the Kingdom after it has come. It must contend with the different sorts of soil men's hearts present; [Note: Matthew 13:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23.] there will be opposition, gradually though never fully overcome in the Kingdom time; [Note: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43.] the spread will be by the natural law of gradual growth; [Note: Matthew 13:31-32.] and it will be as an influence at work permeating everywhere. [Note: Matthew 13:33.]
Two of them tell how the blessed Kingdom message will come to men. To some it will be as a treasure stumbled upon, found, though they were not looking for it, and precious above all else. [Note: Matthew 13:44.] To others eagerly seeking for it, it will satisfy all the deepest longings. [Note: Matthew 13:45-46.] Two others tell that rewards in the Kingdom will not be earned as a matter of merit, but bestowed because of the great graciousness of the King; [Note: Matthew 20:1-16.] and that the reward will be the privilege of ministering to others, some more, some less. [Note: Luke 19:11-27.]And one other tells that the great test in the Kingdom will be obedience. [Note: Matthew 22:8-14.] All these parables would convey some personal meaning to those listening, even as they have their personal message to us now. But the first meaning of each is to illustrate the Kingdom time.
The true spirit of the Kingdom stands out in sharpest contrast with the dominant spirit of our day. The Kingdom will belong peculiarly to those who are "poor in spirit." [Note: Matthew 5:3.] All men are poor to the point of beggarly pauperism in everything else, in purity, in character, in life itself. Everything we are, and have, is received from Another. We are all, from throne to slum, beneficiaries dependent on the gracious bounty of Another. If God withdrew His hand for a single moment how we would realize our pauperism! But we are rich in our spirit of self-content and self-assertion.
The Kingdom will belong peculiarly to the man who is poor in his spirit as he is in everything else. The "meek" man, who uses all his strength in yielding to the King,—he will inherit the earth, and take down all the fences, for conditions on earth will be radically changed. [Note: Psalms 37:11; Matthew 5:5.]The penitent man or woman of the street will be received, while the modern pharisee will find the doorway too low for his proud head to enter. [Note: Matthew 21:31.] He who serves others most truly will be given preferment. [Note: Matthew 20:25-28.] Obedience to the King will be the thing most prized. [Note: Matthew 22:11-14.]
The spread of the Kingdom will be gradual in men's heart until it will seem to be universal. But there will be many who are simply carried along by the current of the time, as is always the case. Some will be opposed to the Kingdom, but secretly. Three of the Psalms speaking of the coming Kingdom time say that foreigners and enemies and haters "submit," or "yield feigned obedience." [Note: Psalms 18:44; Psalms 66:3; Psalms 81:15.] This may be taken as one of the index fingers.
Now the one thing that God longs for is our free choice. This is the image of God in which we were made. We are most like God in power in the right to choose freely, and most like Him in character when we choose as He would choose. And so there is to be a final sifting at the end of the Kingdom time. The evil one will be at work again. There will be the fullest opportunity for free choice. [Note: Revelation 20:7-8.]
Then will come the final gathering of men on the earth into the pure presence of God for final adjustment. [Note: Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15.] Then will come the blessed end, when all opposition to God and right shall be put down forever, and the Kingdom shall be turned over to the Father. [Note: 1 Corinthians 15:24-26.]
And then God's own ideal shall be realized. The race will be a family gathered about Himself. They shall see His face; His likeness will be in their faces. The family home will be in a wondrous garden-city. Its light shall be the glory of His presence; its atmosphere, love; its music, the sweet rhythm of their wills with His.