could hardly have
meant that it was in the hearts of the hostile and godless Pharisees; nor
is the familiar and beautiful conception of the Kingdom as "a reign of God
in human hearts" thus expressed in the New Testament. Jesus more probably
meant that in his own person and work the Kingdom was present. The essence
of this Kingdom is always spiritual and consists in "righteousness and
peace and joy." It is to have, however, a future, visible manifestation at
the appearing of the King. The question as to the time and manner of its
coming is not to be asked either to satisfy mere curiosity or to arouse
controversy; for men of the world, like the Pharisees, the important fact
is that Christ, who is ever a divine and spiritual presence, is to be
accepted as Master and Lord; his service always issues in new and more
blessed life.

To the disciples, who trusted him, it was possible for Jesus to answer
more in detail the question as to the coming of the Kingdom which is to be
inaugurated in splendor on his return. He told them that they must expect
first a period of long delay in which their weary hearts would often yearn
for a single day of the coming glory and that many deceivers would point
to places and times of his appearing. However, when he did appear it would
be with suddenness and unmistakable splendor, like the lightning which in
an instant flashes across the whole heaven.

First, however, this King who will then come to reign must suffer and die;
and the world which has rejected him will not be expecting his return.
When he does reappear the race will be in the same carnal security,
careless and indifferent and absorbed in the usual occupations of life, as
were the men in the time of the Flood or the inhabitants of Sodom in the
day of its doom.

On the contrary, those who are to share the glories of the Kingdom must be
looking for their returning Lord. Their proper attitude of mind is
pictured by a series of acts; one who is on the housetop is not to come
down to secure his goods; one in the field will not return to his house;
they will not look backward, but will go forth eagerly to meet their
Master in whom alone is their safety and their hope.

It will be a time of certain separations even for those most closely
related; for example, two men will be sleeping in the same bed: one will
be taken and the other left; two women will be sharing a common task: one
will be taken and the other left. This word "taken" is