The Imminence of the Kingdom of God: Understanding the "End"

The Imminence of the Kingdom of God: Understanding the "End"

RV 1:1-4; 2:1-5

Throughout history, many have tried to predict the end of the world. In 2002 and again in 2019, when the COVID-19 pandemic spread, many thought the end was near, claiming that the events in the Book of Revelation were happening. But we know that those events were not the end.

The big question remains: When will the end come?

In the Bible, we hear a lot of prophetic language saying the end is near. Phrases like “The end will be soon,” “In a little while,” and “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” In today’s reading, we hear, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him to show his servants what must happen soon.” These words show that the end is something imminent, but why does it seem to take so long?

1. God’s Timelessness vs. Our Time

One reason we misunderstand God’s timing is that we live in time, and God does not. We are bound by time and space, but God is eternal. The Bible was written by people who spoke in terms of our time, but God communicates with us in ways we can understand.

As St. Peter says, “With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day” (2 Peter 3:8). What feels long to us is not long to God because He is beyond time.

2. The Kingdom of God: Already Here, Not Yet Fully Realized

The Kingdom of God came with Jesus, but it is not fully established yet. Jesus’ first coming marked the beginning of God’s reign, but we are still waiting for the second coming of Christ, the “Parousia,” the final fulfillment.

The Kingdom of God is imminent — it could happen at any moment. St. Paul urges us to be ready because the Kingdom is not just a future event. The Kingdom of God is already here in us. It begins in our hearts when we accept Jesus as our Savior, follow Him, and love others. The Kingdom is not only a future event; it is something we can experience today. We live it when we serve others, show love, and work for peace and justice.

One day, we will stand before Christ and give an account of our lives (2 Cor 5:10). We don’t know when, but it will come sooner than we think.

The Kingdom of God is near and already present in the hearts of those who follow Christ. While we wait for Christ’s return, let’s live as though the Kingdom is at hand, showing His love and faith through our lives. Heavenly life starts from this life. May God bless us all.