Luke 17:20-37
Against all logic, the Pharisees are preoccupied with the time when the kingdom of God will come, while yet refusing to recognise and receive the King who is in their midst (v. 21). The kingdom of God, often mentioned in Luk’s gospel is the sphere, the domain where the rights of God are recognised. First it comprises heaven – and for that reason we also find, especially in Matthew, the expression "kingdom of heaven".
But it was also to be extended to Israel and the earth. Now the King, in order to test His subjects, had come among them in humble guise, "not with observation" i.e. without attracting attention (v. 20) and in this guise He was rejected. What has been the result of this? The fact that the kingdom only exists now in its heavenly form. It will indeed be established on earth at the appropriate time, but by judgments. These will be sudden and terrible. The flood and the sudden destruction of Sodom are solemn illustrations (how much more solemn are vv. 27-30 for our times). Yet there exists another realm where the moral rights of the Lord are even now acknowledged – in the hearts of those who belong to Him. Friend, is your heart a "province" of the kingdom of God?