In one sense, the kingdom of heaven has already come!

In one sense we can refer to the kingdom of heaven very personally. This sense pertains to God being king in our lives. In this sense, the kingdom of heaven had not come to us until Jesus died and paid the price for sins.

Joseph of Arimathea was waiting for this kingdom.

Mk 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

Lk 23:51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;

It was this kingdom that Jesus referred to in Lk 17:20 when He told the Pharisees that the kingdom of God was in their midst. Jesus also referred to this kingdom when he spoke to the scribe in Mk 12:34.

Mk 12:34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions.

Here the kingdom of God is not referring to the coming of the end times but it is referring to God being king in a person’s life.

It was this kingdom that Jesus referred to when He said that the kingdom of heaven was at hand.

Mt 3:2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

It was this kingdom that Jesus referred to when he spoke to the Pharisees.

Lk 11:20 "But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

It was in this sense that the kingdom of God was already in Jesus (God was already king in Jesus’ life) – just not in anyone else until Jesus paid the price for sins.

Jesus referred to this kingdom when He said that some people would see it come before they died.

Lk 9:27 "But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."

Mk 9:1 And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

This kingdom did come into the lives of the apostles before they died, thus fulfilling what Jesus said.

What about you? Has God become king in your life?