, but intended to include the whole human race within its
influence. It is the Kingdom of God, and yet imperfect, through the
malice of the Evil One, who is ever striving to spoil God's work. And
whilst in the world it is not of the world, but wholly spiritual and
divine in its origin. For God is ruling over the hearts of its
subjects. And His rule working and spreading secretly, like leaven
changing the meal, is intended in His loving purpose to convert the
whole world unto obedience to Himself.

Thus we see that "The Kingdom of Heaven" is described as being that
state of grace and probation into which Christ's people are called at
the time of their baptism, and in which they are blessed, and tried,
and made fit for His nearer Presence. But, at the same time, we are
led to think that a day will come when this present imperfect
condition of His Kingdom will be brought to an end; when those who
have been tried and found worthless will be cast out; and "The Kingdom
of Heaven" as we know it, having been purged of all evil, will become
the Kingdom of His glory and joy.

And when this shall come to pass, all the predictions respecting
Messiah's Kingdom will at length be realised. "The everlasting
Kingdom" (2 Peter i. 11) ordained "before the foundation of the world"
(Ephes. i. 4), will then have embraced all nations, so that "the earth
shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the
sea" (Isaiah xi. 9). Then will the reign of righteousness and peace
of Him, who is "the Lord our Righteousness" (Jer. xxiii. 6), appear in
all its perfect beauty. God's "people will be all righteous;" and
"inherit the land for ever" (Isaiah lx. 21), even "the inheritance of
the saints in light" (Col. i. 12). And Christ, being at length in
every sense "the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah ix. 6), when no foe will be
left to be subdued, and "they shall not hurt nor destroy in all My
holy mountain" (Isaiah xi. 9), will then be proclaimed "King of Kings
and Lord of Lords" (Rev. xix. 16).

And then also our daily prayer "Thy Kingdom come" (S. Matt. vi. 10)
will have received its perfect fulfilment. For all that is now
imperfect in His rule will have been set right; through the conversion
of the heathen, the repentance of the ungodly, and the sanctification
of all who "neglect" not "so great salvation" (Heb. ii. 3).

The number of the elect will be accomplished. The Son will "have
delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father;" God w