Ponder This: When you think about the kingdom of heaven what comes to mind?
Scriptures To Consider: Matthew 6:33-"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflections From The PrayerBowl Team:
When I ponder the question, 'When you think about the Kingdom of Heaven, what comes to mind?' I find my mind filled with a myriad of images, each one a personal reflection of my connection to Jesus. It's like the song, 'I can only imagine'... it evokes a sense of wonder and awe.
- Jesus greeting me at the gates and welcoming me home
- God sitting on a throne so big that you can see wherever you go
- Being in the most beautiful paradise
- Reuniting with loved ones who made such an impact on my life
Although I enjoy letting my mind wander about what my eternal home will look like, after reading this week's ponder question, I wanted God to direct my thoughts, so I opened my Bible to reread scripture that highlights the Kingdom of Heaven.
- The Kingdom is above all things.
"for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together." Colossians 1:16-17
- We are citizens only through Christ.
"Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3
- Believers are part of the Kingdom of Heaven
As citizens, we are invited to experience this beautiful spiritual freedom right now and are called to reflect its culture while on earth.
Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of Heaven through many parables. You find many of these in Matthew 13. While explaining the parable of the weeds in the field to his disciples, Jesus said, "The field is the world, and the good seeds stand for the sons of the kingdom."
- Hope of things to come
In Revelation 21 and 22, we are promised a new heaven and a new earth. All things will be made new. It will be as it was in the beginning, and God will live with us. In verse 21:4, we read the comforting words, 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' This promise fills us with hope and reassurance.
- The Kingdom of Heaven is Eternal
In Revelations 22:5, it says, "The Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
So, I am back to imagining the Kingdom of Heaven, a perfect place where the Light of the World is the only light we will need. Where all things are restored. Where love and beauty will be all that we know. At the same time, I am thankful that I already know I am a citizen of the Kingdom and that I often get to witness the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth when I see God's will being done and the love of Jesus being shared.
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When I think of the Kingdom of Heaven:
- The word Joy immediately comes to mind - Pure everlasting joy.. Psalm 16:11 says, “In your presence fullness of joy.
- I picture the most beautiful place filled with peace, light, and the most breathtaking colors-like the most radiant sunset you have ever seen.
- I imagine God’s arms wide open and welcoming, with beautiful doves above representing the Holy Spirit.
- I see Jesus walking beside everyone, listening, caring, sharing in everyone’s story.
I believe the Kingdom of Heaven is where:
- There is no pain or suffering. Revelation 21:4
- I think of my loved ones like my mom and dad, who have passed away and are now in this beautiful Kingdom, free from sorrow, standing in awe at the beauty of God’s glory.
The Kingdom of Heaven is not just a future promise or place. It is something we can see and live now:
- 1 Corinthians 13: 4 “Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy” reminds us that when we live in faith, hope, and love others, it keeps us close to God.
- Every act of kindness, peace, and trust brings us closer to God’s heart.
- When we choose to demonstrate these (loving others, walking in faith, living in hope), we begin to experience pieces of Heaven here on Earth.
In my own journey with God:
- I know that repentance, obedience, and trust are key.
- I know I will make mistakes, but I know I serve a forgiving God - one who knows my heart.
- I believe He calls me to keep seeking Him, to keep putting Him first. Matthew 6:33, When we do this, not only are our needs met, but we also grow closer to His Kingdom - both here and for eternity.
When I live these moments and I act on what I know God expects of me, the Kingdom of Heaven doesn’t feel far away- it becomes something real, something I can live and share with others right here and now.
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My brain immediately asks What about this or What about that? The kingdom of heaven now, or when Jesus comes back? Do I go to heaven when I die, or does my soul wait to be reunited with my body when Jesus comes back? My body now or when I was 25? Will my body be physical and transformed like Jesus' when he rose from the dead?
Matthew 6:33 uses the phrase "kingdom of God" and not "kingdom of heaven." Matthew actually used the phrase "kingdom of heaven" 32 times. The other three gospels did not mention the kingdom of heaven. They strictly used the kingdom of God. I believe one day, when Jesus returns, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven will be one and the same. We will live with the Creator of all things.
When I think of the gift of heaven, I think about the day when I will live with Jesus. Jesus shared that he would prepare a place for us. There will be no more death, no more mourning, no more crying, and no more pain. If you are in awe as I am of the universe, the earth, the animals, the birth of a child, or the complexity of the human body, imagine the awe of heaven. All those questions I have are not important. They are human thoughts and questions that don't really matter. Man cannot understand what heaven will be like. The amazing part is that we get to live eternally with Jesus.
