Catechisma
Heidelberg
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Lord’s Day 48

Q123. What does the second request mean?

Thy kingdom come means, rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you. Keep your church strong, and add to it. Destroy the devil's work; destroy every force which revolts against you and every conspiracy against your Word; do this until your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it you are all in all.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

1

Psalm 119:5, 105

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! NUN. Thy word a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 143:10

Teach me to do thy will; for thou my God: thy spirit good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

2

Psalm 122:6–9

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

Matthew 24:14

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Acts 2:42–47

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all , as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

1 Corinthians 12:22–31

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely have more abundant comeliness. For our comely have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. all apostles? all prophets? all teachers? all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

3

Romans 16:20

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with you. Amen.

1 John 3:8

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

4

Romans 8:22–23

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only , but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, , the redemption of our body.

1 Corinthians 15:28

And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Revelation 22:17, 20

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

CommentaryZacharias Ursinus (1616)

"Thy kingdom come." The sense is, let thy kingdom grow amongst us and increase by continual advances; and always by new accessions, O God, let thy kingdom which thou hast in thy church, be enlarged and multiplied.

The questions which chiefly claim our attention in connection with this petition, are the following:

I. "What is the kingdom of God?"