Chapter 12 discusses the coming of the kingdom of God. It begins by describing the kingdom as an impossible utopia that would require a miracle to actually come about. It requires something that cannot be built or brought about by worldly power. No secular power can bring about complete liberation and freedom. Therefore, all we can do is bring about the conditions that will lead to total freedom. We can achieve this by first having faith in God and the kingdom. “Faith releases within us a power that is beyond us”. This faith calls for a radical reorientation on one’s life, and its power is derived from what is hoped for, in this case, the “kingdom”. In addition to faith, compassion is needed to bring about the kingdom by releasing God’s power in the world. There is no way to know for sure when the kingdom will come. It may be delayed by people’s lack of faith, and it may even be preceded by catastrophe, but there is no doubt that it will come sooner or later. We know this because we believe in God and have faith that goodness and truth will overcome evil and falsehood. The coming of the kingdom is not a so much a time for rejoicing as it is a time for repentance, in that with the “kingdom” comes judgment. This repentance is necessary in order to avoid catastrophe engulfing all of mankind. If all people orient their lives towards bringing about God’s kingdom, catastrophe and Hell can be avoided. Whether or not this happens in the near future or not, God will prevail in the end; as Nolan put it, “God will have the last word”.
-Ellie Dolan and Annie Lyman
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