What did John the Baptist mean when he said the kingdom of heaven is at hand?
He meant that the kingdom of heaven was near because Jesus, the essence of that kingdom, was about to begin His earthly ministry. It is the one literal, physical, political kingdom Christ will set up on earth when He returns, and it requires an inner spiritual relationship.
Les explains that all through Scripture there is only one kingdom, and it is the kingdom Christ will set up on earth when He returns to become King of kings and Lord of lords. When John the Baptist began his ministry, the crux of his message was that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Les says this meant Jesus was just around the corner, about to begin His earthly ministry, since He is the essence of the kingdom. This kingdom is not a spiritual, ethereal, invisible kingdom only; it is spiritual, physical, and political, and will come to fruition when Christ returns and sets it up on the earth. Les also ties it to John 3, where being born again is required to see the kingdom of heaven, showing that an inner spiritual relationship with God is necessary to be part of that literal, physical, political kingdom.
More Questions
Why did John the Baptist say the kingdom of heaven was at hand?
John the Baptist said 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' because the King was there—Christ was already on the scene.