In the Bible the Kingdom of God is presented to us in three aspects. Jesus describes the first by saying, "It comes without observation" (Luke 17:20; John 3:5). He says, "No one can enter it unless he has a spiritual new birth."

So clearly Jesus is describing a spiritual Kingdom. Quietly and unseen the Holy Spirit takes up residence in a repentant soul. Then follows sanctification, when that soul acknowledges Jesus as King.

What follows is, with Jesus as King reigning in my heart, He begins to work Kingdom principles into my life. The snarling wolf spirit lies down lamb-like. The growling bear eats with the ox. The roaring lion lies down, and the back-biting viper becomes a toy for a child.

This is a gradual work as we live a yielded life. So the King works on one area at a time. He deals with our talk. James tells us that no man can tame the tongue, but the King can. He wants to be Lord of what we say. He deals with our eyes so that we remove all the detestable things our eyes have feasted on (Ez. 20:8).

And we get rid of the vile idols of Egypt (the world). He deals with our walk, where we go in our leisure hours, with our lazy lifestyle, with our devotions, and learning to keep a proper attitude.

What the King is doing is conforming us to His own image (Rom. 9:29), so He has a Kingdom of priests, ready to reign and serve with Him both in the millenial Kingdom and the final eternal Kingdom.

So how is the Kingdom progressing in your life? What about the wolf?, the bear?, the lion and the viper? Keep Jesus as King. Conform to His image! Ira Stanfield’s hymn best describes God’s Kingdom on earth: "A rugged cross became His throne; His Kingdom was in hearts alone."