p. 436 | Thy Kingdom Come by William N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 24, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 28.

"Thy Kingdom Come."

By William N. Glenn

EVERY petition in the Lord's prayer has a deep meaning. There is no "vain repetition" there, no superfluous verbiage. It was not composed by one given to insincere formalism, nor designed for mere lip service. Every point presupposes an earnest sincerity. It is possible that, short and simple as is the language used, many repeat it without an understanding of its full meaning. "Thy kingdom come." How many formally pronounce those words without realizing the character of the petition, or really meaning even their limited comprehension of them.

Many professed Christians believe that the kingdom of God was set up hundreds of years ago, yet they keep on inconsistently praying to God, "Thy kingdom come." Many believe that the King comes to the Christian at death, and introduces him to the kingdom at once. He makes perhaps daily use of this prayer, yet at the same time he shrinks from death as from a scourge, and clings to this state of sin and toil as tenaciously as does the veriest worldling. Does such a one really desire the petition of his lips?

The establishment of the kingdom of Heaven involves radical changes in the condition of men, and consequently much preparation would be expected on the part of those who would enter that kingdom. Peter says to the expectant ones, "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." Then those who pray understandingly, "Thy kingdom come," must be striving to come up to the qualifications of citizenship in that kingdom, else the petition is a mere repetition of meaningless words, if not hypocrisy.

As we cannot expect the establishment of the kingdom until the return of the King who has gone to receive it (Matt. 19:12), and as he will not come until probation has ended, and judgment has been passed as to who are accounted worthy or unworthy to enter the kingdom with him (1 Thess. 4:16), it is plain that of all petitions, that which implores the coming of the Lord's kingdom should be made understandingly. An answer to this prayer involves the closing of the petitioner's probation, when he must stand "without spot and blameless," if he would become an inhabitant of the new earth.

When we consider the many meaningless prayers offered before God, how often we ask amiss in not comprehending the full purport of the language we use, how thankful we should be for the words of the apostle in Rom. 8:26: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Oh, how utterly hopeless would be our situation were it not for the intercession that is made in Heaven in our behalf.

W. N. GLENN.