3. The Kingdom of God

[1] If the Bible does talk about the future of mankind, what does it say? The Bible says that very soon, Kingdom of God is going to be established on earth (Read Mark 1:15 & Luke 10:9). This Kingdom of God, on establishment will be radically different from the present day society. In fact, the Bible says that such a Kingdom will be established only after the complete destruction of the present evil world along with its corrupt systems. It will be set up in a new earth, which will be perfect without the flaws of the present one – ‘I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind’ (Isaiah 65:17). Truly, the goodness and grandness of the Kingdom of God will make everyone forget the present world which is full of suffering and injustice. Let us look at some snapshots of this coming Kingdom with the help of the Bible.

[2] In the world we live in now, natural disasters like earthquake and storms ravage frequently, causing death and destruction. There will be no such things in the Kingdom of God as even ‘the desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom’ during that time, says the Bible (Isaiah 35:1). Hence, it will be a world devoid of the presently unavoidable immense suffering caused by the capriciousness of nature. In today’s society, we meet people afflicted with many deformities. There are others who are stricken with terrible diseases such as cancer. No such suffering will exist in God’s Kingdom – ‘Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy’ (Isaiah 35:5,6), ‘No one living in Zion will say, I am ill’ (Isaiah 33:24). Indeed, it will be a world without handicaps or diseases! Moreover, today thousands are killed due to wars and violence of other kinds. States continue to wage wars that result in the deaths of many. The spread of small arms has increased all forms of violence across the globe. But these will also come to an end. The Bible declares that wars and violence will cease across the world (Read Psalms 46:9). Peace will extend from shore to shore! Poverty is another gruesome reality of our world. Famines kill many. Children in many parts of the world die of starvation and malnutrition. Even people who work earnestly do not get a fair compensation for an honest day’s work. But when the Kingdom of God dawns on earth, poverty and famines will be part of distant history. Not even one person will go hungry and each man will receive a reward that is commensurate with his work (Read Isaiah 30:23). Not only that, unlike the present world wherein inequalities in wealth and power exist and flourish, the Kingdom of God will create an equal society that is devoid of the discrimination and fear which the weak and powerless often have to face today (Read Micah 4:4). We also know that the world we live in is unjust in a fundamental way. Evil men flourish and people think that it is normal to cut corners to move up in business or politics. Some do not hesitate to commit even murders to achieve their ambitions. Justice and truth lose out on many occasions. Corruptions, lies and distortions have won many a battle and continue to do so. But, justice will be the unshakeable foundation of the coming Kingdom of God (Read Psalms 37:29). Truth will be rewarded. Justice upheld. Evil punished, without discrimination or favor. Thus, only the righteous will flourish and prosper in the Kingdom of God.

[3] More than all these enrichments, the biggest change in the coming Kingdom of God will be the eradication of death. Truly, death is the ultimate enemy of mankind. It causes pain and fear immeasurably, chiefly because of the finality attached to it. One can bounce back from a setback, but death is final. But, this death will be swallowed up in victory, says the Bible (Read 1 Corinthians 15:54). None will die in the Kingdom of God! Truly, the coming Kingdom of Yahweh is going to be blessed in all possible ways. Apostle John’s prophetic book sums it up beautifully – ‘There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’ (Revelations 21:4). Won’t anyone be eager to live in a world filled with justice, joy, equality and peace? Without doubt, the Kingdom of God, when it comes, and it will, will be a golden age for mankind. But if such a glorious future does await mankind, then why are we suffering now? Also, for the millions who have lived and died already in this world, this future golden age offers nothing, does it? For those people are dead and gone already! We will discuss these questions in the forthcoming chapters.