Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 48
[Everybody knows that the kingdom of God is a pretty central theme in Christianity, but many are slightly unclear about exactly what it is, or how to pray for it. Is it about seeing people saved? About justice and peace in the world? Personal holiness? Church growth? Political progress? Physical healing, and freedom from demonisation? The future reign of Jesus? All of the above?
Into the (potential) confusion wades the Catechism. Rule us in such a way that 1) we submit to you, 2) your church grows, 3) the devil's work is destroyed, until 4) you return and fill all things. So the kingdom is about ethics, evangelism, expulsion and eschatology (or at least, it would be if the original hadn't been written in German). Marana tha.]
Into the (potential) confusion wades the Catechism. Rule us in such a way that 1) we submit to you, 2) your church grows, 3) the devil's work is destroyed, until 4) you return and fill all things. So the kingdom is about ethics, evangelism, expulsion and eschatology (or at least, it would be if the original hadn't been written in German). Marana tha.]
Q123. What does the second petition mean?
A123. “Your kingdom come” means:
Rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way
that more and more we submit to you.
Preserve your church and make it grow.
Destroy the devil’s work;
destroy every force which revolts against you
and every conspiracy against your holy Word.
Do this until your kingdom fully comes,
when you will be
all in all.