This concept can be connected to the parable of the mustard seed that was just defined. "The kingdom of God has not yet come in glory, but its power is at work, its seed has been sown" (Lundstrom, 1963, pg. 260). By knowing that the kingdom of God is present within God's people but Jesus also states that "those who in the future will see the kingdom of God come with power (Mark 9:1)" (Longman & Garland, 2010, pg. 710). To better understand this controversy it is important to refer back to the words of Jesus. In Mark 1:15 it states, "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (NewLiving Translation). While focusing on the verb "come" within this verse, other interpretations of the Bible should be reviewed. For example, in the King James Version it states, "And saying, the time is fulfilled , and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Modern King James Version of the Holy Bible, 1962, pg. 47). In this case "fulfilled" means that it is in the past which then symbolizes that the kingdom of God has already been fulfilled in time (Bock, 2005, pg. …show more content…
This is demonstrated through the passage of Mark 1:15 by quoting the words of Jesus the Messiah. It is important to not only realize that the kingdom of God is near but it is important to realize what needs to be done before it comes. The last part of Jesus' words within Mark 1:15 says, "Repent and believe the good news!" which emphasizes the importance of repentance and faith. "There is an urgency about the nearness of God's kingdom. Since it ushers in the end, it speaks of judgement" (Longman III & Garland, 2010, pg. 711). Jesus continued to proclaim God's word through emphasizing repentance and faith through preaching about God's kingdom. In order for us to become part of God's kingdom, repentance needs to be done. Even though the kingdom is living within his people as stated within Mark 10:15, God's rule or kingdom has invaded this world but repentance needs to still occur. Due to Jesus' ministry on earth, God's word was being proclaimed which then introduced the kingdom of God to his people. The gospel of Mark proclaims the message of Jesus' ministry and the overall purpose of Jesus with proclaiming God's word. Jesus came to create and set up God's kingdom through preaching God's word among his