Would the Kingdom of God Come With ‘Striking Observableness’?
One of the most unique teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses is that they alone have understood and interpreted the signs pointing to the arrival of God’s Kingdom in 1914.
A valid question, therefore, is would the Kingdom of God come with “striking observableness”?
Consider Jesus’ own words by reading Luke 17:20;
The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness
The word ‘observableness’ comes from a Greek medical word meaning ‘to watch closely’. The use of this word is logical as it was Luke, a physician, who recorded the above statment. Another use of this word would be to describe astronomers closely observing ‘signs in the heavens’, the movements of the planets and so forth.
The context of Jesus words reveals that he had just healed ten leprous men and was now being questioned by the Pharisees as to when the Kingdom of God was coming. So, Jesus using this Greek medical word ties in with his treatment of the leprosy. Leprosy is evident due to the external signs or symptoms. Jesus was drawing a comparison with the way leprosy is diagnosed and the “striking observableness” of His Kingdom.
What was the comparison?
While leprosy has external symptoms which are diagnosed under close observation, Christ’s Kingdom would not have such symptoms or signs.
Jesus urged all, including the Pharisees, to look within themselves for the Kingdom of God. Jeremiah 31:33 tells us that God would write His law in our hearts. The law of the New Covenant, embodied in Christ Jesus, would be within us.
Too simple? Not according to Jesus.
