"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

How often have you heard or said these words? For some the answer is "Thousands of times!". Despite the familiarity, nearly all who say this prayer will get a tremendous shock when it is answered. These words, in the Lord's Prayer, are slavishly repeated by many as if the mere act of recital carries an automatic benefit. It doesn't.

The prayer urges God to set up His kingdom here on earth. A kingdom in which heavenly conditions will prevail. A kingdom over which the Lord Jesus Christ will be king. Ever since Jesus ascended to heaven, his true followers have used this prayer with sincerity and understanding. Soon the prayer will be answered, and the king will appear "with power and great glory". Can you imagine the consternation and amazement when he comes? Yet this was the purpose for which he was born. The angel said to Mary,

"Fear not Mary, -he said, for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

But the kingdom has not yet begun, never mind ended! Has God's purpose failed? Did those who crucified Jesus win after all? They certainly didn't! Jesus is in heaven and due to come again soon. The angels promised,

"This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

The earth is ripe for his return. Are you ready to meet him?