Spring 1993

The Message of the Kingdom
Wade E Taylor

When Jesus began His ministry, it was with these words:

"The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at
hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel" Mark 1:15.

He directed His next words to two fishermen as they worked at their trade.

"And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I
will make you to become fishers of men" Mark 1:17.

The message of the Kingdom will affect our present vocation and lifestyle. Simon and Andrew had been fishers of fish. Now Jesus is calling them to come apart with Him for a time of preparation to become "fishers of men." They were to continue fishing, but with a higher purpose in view.

The present working of the Kingdom (at hand) is intended to lift the earthly aspect of our vocation into a higher eternal purpose. As we allow the Lord to make us to become, there will emerge a ministry that will bring a practical demonstration of (Kingdom) righteousness, peace, and joy into our environment. What we are "becoming" will affect those who are around us more than anything we may say to them.

"For the Kingdom of God is ... righteousness, and
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" Rom 10:17.

The word "Kingdom" has been both misunderstood and misapplied. It has often been relegated to a future millennium, or to heaven. However, the claim of the Kingdom that Jesus presented to these fishermen was to be manifested as a present reality in their lives, and in the lives of all who would likewise respond to His call.

The preparation and outworking of this call to His Kingdom is intended to be both effective and practical in the every day life experience of His people. He did not imply or intend that those who responded would be promoted into a place of prominence or rulership. Rather, this call related to the presence of a Kingdom that would reign in righteousness over the lives of all who would submit to its message. It was to permeate every aspect of their daily pattern of life, and result in peace and joy.

This Kingdom was presented by Jesus as being "at hand." That is, it was meant to work in the immediate circumstances of all who responded. It was not intended that it would find its expression in some mystical religious form, or in a future "heavenly" hope. It was presented as being attainable and touchable, "Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men."

Entering this Kingdom that is at hand requires that we recognize the LORD Jesus Christ as our personal King. Then we are to place everything that pertains to us in subjection to His Kingdom rule.

Jesus said, "Come ye after me." If we do not recognize Him as our personal King and submit our lives to the governmental rule of His Kingdom, we will not be able to abide in the place of His calling. If our lives are simply as they were before salvation, with the added "salt of religion," we are falling far short of His claim upon us.

At this present time, the Lord seeks to establish His Church in Divine order and authority. Things in our lives that He once winked at are no longer being left unchallenged. That which is not established in His will and purpose will be shaken until it is reduced to the place where it submits to, and fits within His Kingdom claim.

The Lord will no longer allow His people to remain in the realm of blessing alone. He is causing them to acknowledge and respond to the claim of His Kingdom upon their lives. He is bringing each one of us to the place where we must decide what we will do with this Kingdom that "is at hand."

Do not draw back. Accept what Jesus is saying to you, and then allow Him to make you to become a part of His Kingdom. Only then will you be able to effectively let down your nets into the deep and "fish" for men.