Thy Kingdom Come

 Thy Kingdom Come: Commentary

"Thy Kingdom Come" is the second of the Lord's prayer's seven petitions (the first three address God, the second four are prayers related to our needs and concerns). God's kingdom is concerned with His methods and regulations. Thus, we are requesting that God's ways be followed exactly as they are in Heaven. The term "Kingdom" is composed of two components: king and dominion. The realm is the land ruled by the sovereign, the King. 

Thus, God's Kingdom exists wherever God is in power. This does not have to be a geographical location. Rather than that, our hearts might be the seat of his Kingdom. Therefore, when we pray "your kingdom come," we can begin by asking "how can God's authority and ways be completely manifested in my life?" 

To gain a better knowledge of God's ways, it is worthwhile to read Jesus' teachings in the Gospels (particularly the "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew chapters 5–7 and His numerous parables, which illustrate the Kingdom's principles). However, there is another interpretation of this sentence, one that theologians refer to as eschatological in nature. Christian eschatology is concerned with the "end times," the end of this age as we know it and the second coming of Christ. In this place, God's Kingdom will be fully realised "on earth as it is in heaven." Thus, this second prayer is a request for more of God's Kingdom to come to Earth now, as well as a look forward to God's Kingdom coming fully in the future.

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Thy kingdom come.] The ancient Jews refrained from saying: He prays in vain, whose prayers contain no mention of God's kingdom. As a result, they were accustomed to saying, "Let him establish his dominion and prosper his redemption; and let the Messiah quickly arrive and deliver his people." The sceptre of Christ's global sway:-God has promised that Christ's kingdom will be exalted above other kingdoms. 7:14–27 Da 7:14–27 Da 7:14–27 Da 7:14 That it will eventually supplant all others and become the universal empire. 9:7; Isa 9:7. Connect this to the Mt 3:2 interpretation of this term. Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Come, thy kingdom. This plea clearly refers to the idea that Christ proclaimed at this time, that John Baptist preached previously, and that he later sent forth his apostles to preach—the kingdom of heaven is near. The kingdom of your Father in heaven, the kingdom of the Messiah, is near; pray for its speedy arrival. Nota bene, we should convert the word we hear into prayer and let our emotions repeat it; does Christ promise, undoubtedly I will come quickly? Our hearts should respond, "However, come." Ministers should pray over the word: when they preach that God's kingdom is near, they should pray, Father, thy kingdom come. 

We must pray for what God has promised; for promises are given to strengthen and encourage prayer; and when the fulfilment of a promise is near and at hand, when the kingdom of heaven is at hand, we should pray for it even more earnestly; thy kingdom come; just as Daniel set his face to pray for Israel's deliverance when he realised the time had come, Da 9:2. Lu 19:11 It was the daily prayer of the Jews to God: Let him establish his kingdom, let his redemption prosper, and let his Messiah come and rescue his people. Ex Vitringa, Dr. Whitby. "Let thy kingdom come, let the gospel be proclaimed to all and accepted by all; bring all to subscribe to the record God has provided in his word of his Son and to embrace him as their Saviour and Sovereign. Allow the gospel-boundaries church's to be expanded, the world's kingdom to be transformed into Christ's kingdom, and all men to become subjects to it and live according to their character." Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible, Volume V (Matthew to John)

Albert Bane's Commentary 

Tenth verse: Thy kingdom come. The term "kingdom" refers to a position of authority. 3:2 Mt The petition expresses a desire for God to reign everywhere; for his laws to be observed; and, most importantly, for the gospel of Christ to be advanced throughout the world, until the world is filled with his glory. Barnes' Notes on the New Testament

Read Also: Our Father Who Art in Heaven

                          Hallowed Be Thy Name