… making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself, as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, which are in heaven and on earth.

— Ephesians 1:9-10

The entire history of mankind before the advent of Jesus can be seen as nothing other than a preparation for His coming into the world. All history since His coming has simply been the unfolding of the progress of His Spirit in the hearts of men and the establishment of His Kingdom in the world.

Jesus Christ is the center of all history. All others are coming and going, while Christ remains. His Kingdom is grown, and He is the ultimate ruler, not only of our world but of the universe. The whole goal of history is to bring together all in Him, all things in heaven and on earth. This will be fulfilled at His second coming.

We pray the Lord’s Prayer. We pray “Thy kingdom come.” But do we truly desire it? Do we work for it? Christ is the King, not only of the world to come, but of this world as well. Do we pray that His kingdom will come in this world, in this land, in this century, in our time?

The word “kingdom” comes from the two words “king’s dominion,” and where the King holds dominion over the hearts of men, there His kingdom has come. It is coming by the gracious influence of His Holy Spirit, by the Gospel of His love.

Question to ponder:
Do you see evidence of all things in heaven and on earth coming together under Christ here in our world? Where is it clearest?