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  EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON LUKE - LUKE 17:20-25
  by J.C. Ryle
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THE KINGDOM OF GOD

We are taught, firstly, in this passage that the kingdom of God is
utterly unlike the kingdoms of this world. The Lord Jesus tells the
Pharisees that "it comes not with observation." He meant by this that
its approach and presence were not to be marked by outward signs of
dignity. Those who expected to observe anything of this kind would be
disappointed. They would wait and watch for such a kingdom in vain,
while the real kingdom would be in the midst of them without their
knowing it. "Behold," He says, "the kingdom of God is within you."

The expression which our Lord here uses describes exactly the beginning
of His spiritual kingdom. It began in a manger at Bethlehem, without the
knowledge of the great, the rich, and the wise. It appeared suddenly in
the temple at Jerusalem, and no one but Simeon and Anna recognized its
King. It was received thirty years after by none but a few fishermen and
publicans in Galilee. The rulers and Pharisees had no eyes to see it.
The King came to His own, and His own received Him not. All this time
the Jews professed to be waiting for the kingdom. But they were looking
in the wrong direction. They were waiting for signs which they had no
warrant for expecting. The kingdom of God was actually in the midst of
them! Yet they could not see it!

The literal kingdom which Christ shall set up one day will begin in some
respects very like His spiritual one. It will not be accompanied by the
signs, and marks, and outward manifestations which many are expecting to
see. It will not be ushered in by a period of universal peace and
holiness. It will not be announced to the Church by such unmistakable
warnings, that everybody will be ready for it, and prepared for its
appearing. It shall come suddenly, unexpectedly, and without note of
warning to the immense majority of mankind. The Simeons and Annas will
be as few in the last day as they were at the beginning of the Gospel.
The most shall awake one day, like men out of sleep, and find, to their
surprise and dismay, that the kingdom of God is actually come.

We shall do well to lay these things to heart, and ponder them well. The
vast majority of men are utterly deceived in their expectations with
respect to the kingdom of God. They are waiting for signs which will
never appear. They are looking for indications which they will never
discover. They are dreaming of universal conversion. They are fancying
that missionaries, and ministers, and schools, will change the face of
the world before the end comes. Let us beware of such mistakes. Let us
not sleep as do others. The kingdom of God will be upon men much sooner
than many expect. "It comes not with observation."

We are taught, secondly, in this passage, that the second coming of
Jesus Christ will be a very SUDDEN event. Our Lord describes this by a
striking figure. He says, "For the Son of Man in his day will be like
the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the
other."

The second personal advent of Christ is the real fulfillment of these
words. Of the precise day and hour of that advent we know nothing. But
whenever it may take place, one thing at least is clear--it will come on
the Church and the world suddenly, instantaneously, and without previous
notice. The whole tenor of Scripture points this way. It shall be "in
such an hour as you do not think." It shall come "as a thief in the
night." (Matt. 24:44; 1 Thess. 5:2.)

This suddenness of Christ\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jc-ryle/expository-thoughts-on-luke-luke-1720-25/
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