In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:-12)

"The kingdom of heaven has come near." Other translations say "is near". Are John's words really simply a warning of impending judgment which is how they are often interpreted. Or is John simply reminding us of something that is inherently true about life and living?

Personally, I believe it to be a reminder that this world in which we live and the lives we live in this world are done so in the presence of a God who is personally present and involved in our lives and in his creation. It is not just Christians who live in the presence of God or on the cusp of his kingdom. We all are there. The difference is whether or not we live in an awareness of this fact. When the Kingdom which is near truly breaks out and into our lives then there will be an awakening...not so much to judgment, but to the simple fact that we are always dwelling in the presence of God.