The Kingdom of God

What is the kingdom of God?

According to Isa [Jesus], the kingdom “is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matt. 13:44).

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matt 13:45-46).

In other words, the kingdom (or “malakut”) is priceless. It’s so valuable that we can joyfully give up everything we have to get it, and never regret our decision for a moment. And the second we enter the kingdom, life is radically different. Allah covers our shame and robes us with His honor. Mercy flows from our hearts as the rivers to the sea. Forgiveness abounds like the stars in the sky. Bitterness evaporates like the morning dew at sunrise. And most of all, we begin to worship God not out of duty, but out of delight!

This is what I long to communicate to all my friends – Christian, Muslim, Mormon or whatever else. The kingdom of God is emphatically NOT about religion. It is not a man-made system of traditions and regulations. It is the eternal dominion of Allah Himself, crashing into this world with glorious power and might. It is the pearl of great price, the treasure of infinite value! No wonder Jesus preached it so relentlessly.

True riches are found in God alone and in His Word, Isa al Masih. May we continue to love and worship Him with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our might (Deut. 6:5). This is what it means to live in the malakut Allah.