ommon in nature, sowing, waiting, cultivating, and
reaping.[168] Its influence will spread gradually until all feel its
presence and power.[169] It must meet and deal with the obstacles
presented by different men's temperaments and dispositions and
temptations.[170] There will be opposition, gradually overcome, but
never fully.[171] Many will be carried along by the current of the day.
It will be a good current, for righteousness will be the common thing
then. But in their hearts many will long for something else, something
different.[172]

But to many, the new blessed kingdom message will come as a treasure
accidentally stumbled upon, not being looked for, but now valued as very
precious.[173] To others it will come as _the_ thing they have been
eagerly seeking for, and which satisfies the deepest yearnings.[174] One
who has had any touch with the pathetic yearning of years found in
non-Christian lands can better appreciate the results of this kind in
these glad coming days.

The _characteristic spirit_ of the kingdom stands sharply out in
contrast with the dominant spirit of our own time. The kingdom is said
to belong peculiarly to those who are "poor in spirit," in whom
self-assertion and pride have quite gone out, leaving them humble and
lowly in heart. The meek will inherit the earth, and will take down all
the walls and fences, for all conditions of life are radically changed.
The penitent man or woman will be freely received regardless of their
past, while the proud will find the doorway too low for their unbending
heads.[175]

Rewards in the kingdom will not be given as a matter of merit, as in our
present endless cutting and rivalry, but will be thought of wholly as
evidence of the graciousness of the King.[176] And yet more striking,
the rewards given will be the privilege of serving, some more, some
less, according as they have become skilled in serving.[177] He who
serves most truly will be given preferment.[178] The thing prized above
all else will be glad obedience to the King.

It will be seen that the kingdom is to be a time of world-wide
evangelization. Indeed this is _the purpose_ of the kingdom. There are
two periods of world-wide evangelization in our Lord's planning. The
present is the Church time of such evangelizing. This is, of course, the
true main objective of the Church. This is the reason for the Church's
existence, to take the message of a crucified risen Christ to all men,
that so the