Kingdom talk is not easily understood in our day and age. Empires aren’t what they used to be. No more the inherited hierarchies – the elaborate rituals – the frustrating formalities. Sure, there is the British Monarchy – last bastion of public pomp and circumstance – but we also acknowledge that ‘kingdom’ as mostly ornamental. The power (such as it is) rests in elected officials. The ‘Dominion’ is not so much dominated by the King as it is held together by royal language. The British Empire on which (once upon a time) the sun never set is no more. God save the King.

So when the church calendar and the liturgical focus turns to the Kingdom of God – and Christ the King – we have some ‘unlearning and relearning to do.’

If only the Scripture could help.

It’s not that the Scripture doesn’t proclaim the kingdom of God; it does little to help us understand what that means (or what it might look like.) and this morning’s readings provide the most extreme example of what I’m talking about.

Daniel’s vision walks us through the beginning of the end of the world. Competing earthly kingdoms have come and gone – each one worse than the last – until finally, the King takes the throne. The imagery is fantastic. This is our favourite image of the divine: bearded and dressed in white, surrounded by the fire of glory, and attended by tens of thousands. Judgement is passed, and ‘one like a human being’ is given control over everything.

“To him was given dominion
and glory and kingship,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not pass away,
and his kingship is one
that shall never be destroyed.”

This is the great resolution that we sing about and sometimes pray for. The great and glorious ‘happy ending’ for the faithful, at least. What more do we need by way of explanation where the kingdom of God is concerned?

Well, how about an alternative from Jesus himself?

When asked directly – by those who had no small investment in the answer – “When is the kingdom of God coming?”  Jesus says, ‘you won’t see it.’ There will be no observable moments. No fiery throne from the sky. Nothing like Daniel’s dream. Further, Jesus says don’t believe those who claim they can show the kingdom to you. For in fact “…the kingdom of God is among you.’

To echo the lessons we are learning on Tuesday nights, I ask you: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?’

When thinking about how most Christians understand the term ‘kingdom of God’, Daniel’s description comes closer to the mark. An end to corruption. The judgement of the wicked. The sudden (and frightening) appearance of a holy throne room. Daniel’s vision suggests that something serious has taken place, and that God is FINALLY setting things right. All that will be left for us to do is breathe a sigh of relief as we join the chorus of praise.

Daniel looks for a future fix. From the depths of despair, he dreams of glory. But Jesus makes a different demand of us. Jesus operates in the ‘here-and-now.’ Don’t look for pomp and circumstance. Shake off your visions of terrifying comfort. The kingdom is among you.

The language of the gospel is explicit. The verbs are present tense and immediate. It is the kind of statement that should have us looking quickly over our shoulders. And we are right to wonder what it means.

For there is more than a suggestion in Jesus’ words. This declaration of the presence of the kingdom brings with it the idea that we might be engaged in the workings of it. Among you, Jesus says. We are already part of the day-to-day operations of this promised bliss.

It’s scary to think that after all we have done (and all we have not done) that God would entrust something so important to us…but here we are.

The King himself has declared that the Kingdom is here. No waiting – no fanciful trials to endure – no magical number of generations need pass. And there are no signs of God’s kingdom other than the grace that comes when someone recognizes Jesus for who he is. When a life is changed – when compassion is offered – when the least of these are welcomed and warmed and folded into the community with dignity and delight.

The King has come and will come again – or so we profess. But in the meantime, the kingdom is here, and God’s glory is all around.

Standing here on the edge of great change – gathered here on the verge of the celebration of the Advent of the Christ – we who have decided to follow Jesus; who have heard and believed the good news – find ourselves ambassadors of God’s kingdom. No need to  wait for some horrifying, satisfying future drama. No wrath of God required – the kingdom is being received and revealed among us. And it is down to us to us to live that kingdom into full view. To help and to welcome. To show hospitality and kindness. To work for justice and liberation. To offer joy and hope. In countless cultures and across endless generations – against our all to human impulses toward self-protection and self-satisfaction These traits are the ‘keys to the kingdom.’ And we, in faith, have the keys in our hands.