“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the
kingdom of God. And saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand,
Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15).
The transition that changed the world is underway when this incident happens in
the lives of John the Baptist and Jesus: John’s time as God’s representative is
diminishing, and Jesus’ time is just beginning.
The “time” mentioned here is the time about which Daniel prophesied in Daniel 2
where he predicted the establishment of a kingdom that would go across all the
kingdoms of men and that would stand forever—it is the establishment of the
kingdom of Jesus Christ on this earth, that is, the establishment of the Lord’s church.
Christ’s kingdom would not destroy earthly kingdoms—rather, it would co-exist
along with them. As prophesied, it would be a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly one.
Since this great plan is the result of the design of God Himself, it should demand our
undivided attention as we realize that it cost the sacrifice of God’s Son, that it was
brought about for our spiritual benefit while we live on this earth, and that it was
implemented for our eternal benefit. What a blessing from God!