Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “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.” - Like 17:20-21

The Messiahs coming to His people was not as they expected. Born and raised in poverty, unknown till He was a young man, and by profession an itinerant rabbi with a rag tag bunch of fishermen for followers, it was hard for them to see Him as the Branch, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the Son of David. His prophesied forerunner ( they were looking for Elijah) , also did not fit expectations - John the Baptist denied he was Elijah. Yet prophecy after prophecy was being fulfilled by his birth and life, and Jesus himself said, John was that Elijah which was supposed to come. All so that men would crucify him so that God's plan would be fulfilled. Yet his ministry was filled with miracles, his words with power, and his actions with compassion for people - all the signs were there!

God's kingdom in the church is similar. We don't see kings and priests in Christians. We see poor and desperate people, who have no hope but Christ. We see persecuted and martyred sinful sheep, that seem completely unfit to be in any kind of leadership positions. What kind of kingdom is this where the subjects are treated as beggars?

Yet the signs are there. There is an inner peace and joy that only the truly saved possess. There is a detachment from the temporary and fleeting pleasures of this earth and a looking for a heavenly home. There is an overflowing love and compassion for our fellow man manifested through works and charity. And yes, the miracles are there too... in the provision of God for his saints, even if some are made public examples to show forth His glory and character.

The kingdom of Heaven in the church mirrors Christ's first coming. It glows with an internal light in our hearts and manifests itself through our actions - not as the world expects- through pomp and circumstance- but rather through unknown and unsung personal acts of kindness. It is already here in our hearts! The Spirit is the down payment on our inheritance!

One day, these graveclothes of flesh will drop, when our Lord returns in the form that fulfills all the prophecies of that great and terrible Day of the Lord, and then they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever! The promises to Israel will be fulfilled as written and all shall see the righteousness of our God and Christ!

Till then, we wait ! "For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God." Rom 8:19