The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."
Matthew 10:7&8

Jesus said it several times, "The kingdom of heaven is near." But what does this mean and how does it apply to us? Jesus spoke often of the kingdom of heaven. In fact, the very first words he spoke when he began his public ministry were, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." There are several things Jesus meant when he spoke those words. The meaning was potentially life-changing for those who heard him and for us today.
    The kingdom of heaven was near to those who heard him because Jesus embodied the kingdom of heaven. He was the kingdom. So those who were instructed to go and preach the kingdom, were told to tell the people that it was near them. This is true, because Jesus himself, was near them. The kingdom was also near to those who heard Jesus because he was about to be crucified, be raised from the dead, be exalted to the right hand of the Father, and defeat death and hell. At this time, he very literally restored the kingdom of heaven and made it available to all of us who would receive it. So the kingdom of heaven was indeed near to those who heard Jesus speak.
    Since the resurrection of Christ, the kingdom has been restored. That means that it is available to everyone of us who have been born into it. We have it when we say, "yes" to Christ. Many Christians do not understand the impact of having the kingdom of heaven available to them. If we will understand and receive it, we will enjoy the fruit of the kingdom in our own lives. But we must know what it is and how it applies to us every moment of every day..
    Today, meditate on those words, "The kingdom of heaven is near." Ask God to reveal to you what it means to you as a Christian. Understanding this truth and how it applies to you will change your life. In the coming days, we will explore the truth of the kingdom of heaven in more detail. For now, think about it. God will reveal the truth.