h;
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King...."

When the Saviour of the world was about to enter upon His public
ministry, the Jewish nation was startled with the cry, "The Kingdom of
Heaven is at hand" (S. Matt. iii. 2).

Such was God's call to His people of old time, to prepare themselves
to take part in the fulfilment of the promises, on which their faith
and hopes were founded. The fulness of the times had come; and Christ,
the long-promised and long-expected Saviour and King, was nigh at
hand.

And ever since that day, as the good news of the Kingdom has spread
from land to land, it has been the portion of the Lord's people to
endeavour to realise their high position in that Kingdom, and to
discharge their duties loyally to their Heavenly King.

But the words--"The Kingdom of Heaven"--are apt to lead away the
thoughts from the present to the future, from this world to a better
one. And since men are not in Heaven now, but are surrounded with
earthly cares and troubles, there is danger lest they should forget or
be ignorant of the intimate connection which these words have with
their daily life as Christians, and with its duties, privileges, and
blessings.

And yet the practical importance of this subject to Christian men and
women will be seen clearly after a moment's consideration. For any
one, who is at all acquainted with the words of Holy Scripture, will
recall to mind at once the frequent reference to "The Kingdom of
Heaven" in the Gospels. And though it will probably seem a somewhat
startling assertion to most persons, yet it is nevertheless a true
one, that from the day when our Lord began His public ministry, until
He ascended into Heaven, His teaching was almost wholly occupied with
this one subject--"The Kingdom of Heaven." And it is the purpose of
the following pages to bring together the various statements about
it, in such a way as to lead to a clear understanding of "The Kingdom
of Heaven"--what it is--and of our position in this Kingdom, with its
present blessings, privileges and duties, and its future glories.

"The Kingdom of Heaven"--What is it?

There are three things which are necessarily included in the idea of a
Kingdom--a King to rule over it; subjects to be ruled; and a place
where they dwell. And since it is necessary, if we would enquire into
the nature of "The Kingdom of Heaven," first of all to understand
clearly who is the King, and who and where