The petition “let your Kingdom come” is widely known around the globe, especially in lands that profess to be Christian. But how many people really know what they are asking for when they make that request in prayer? Would they repeat those words so readily if they knew that the coming of God’s Kingdom means the execution of judgment against all earthly governments and the destruction of all opposers of that Kingdom?—Dan. 2:44; Luke 19:27.
The relevance of these questions is heightened by three important facts: (1) God’s Kingdom was established in 1914, with Jesus enthroned as King. (Rev. 12:10) (2) We are living in the last days of the present system of things. (Matt. 24:3; 2 Tim. 3:1-5) (3) No government or political party on earth has truly recognized God’s Kingdom or yielded to its sovereignty. (Ps. 2:2, 3; Rev. 11:17, 18) Why has God’s Kingdom been ignored? Do not many people yearn for better government, and is not much time and effort spent in trying to patch up and improve current rule? Yes, but most do not realize whom they are up against and how much control that one exerts.
The Bible clearly tells us that “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one” and that he, “the one called Devil and Satan, . . . is misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (1 John 5:19; Rev. 12:9) By cleverly blinding people to the point that many do not even believe he exists, Satan is able to maneuver the majority of mankind into rejecting God’s Kingdom and opposing His rule. (2 Cor. 4:4) That is where we as Jehovah’s Witnesses come in. We have the privilege of opening the eyes of people, “to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God.” (Acts 26:18) Today, almost eight million individuals are working together in unity to accomplish that task. How delighted we are to be counted worthy of being entrusted with that assignment!—Matt. 28:19, 20.
No, we will not convert the world. Indeed, Jesus declared that the majority of mankind would not find “the road leading off into life.” Rather, they would continue on “the road leading off into destruction.” (Matt. 7:13, 14) Jesus foretold that the “good news of the Kingdom [would] be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations” before the end comes. (Matt. 24:14) By referring to Noah’s day, Jesus helped us to appreciate how people would react to our preaching activity. Although Noah was “a preacher of righteousness,” the people did not listen to his warning of impending destruction. “They took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away.” (2 Pet. 2:5; Matt. 24:37-39) Today, only those who are righteously disposed heed the warning. They listen to the good news of God’s Kingdom, realizing that “it is, in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith.”—Rom. 1:16.
Satanic control of the earth will soon be gone. Man will no longer ‘dominate man to his detriment.’ (Eccl. 8:9) The many discordant rulerships of today will be replaced with one government—God’s Kingdom under the rulership of Jesus Christ. (Isa. 9:7; Dan. 7:13, 14; Rev. 11:15) But peace, justice, and righteousness will not be the only hallmarks of that perfect Kingdom rule. Our physical needs will also be fully cared for. (Ps. 72:16; 145:16) Even so, would we be content to have all these blessings if sickness and death yet awaited us? Kingdom rule will address these matters as well. God has decreed: “I am making all things new.” Sorrow and suffering will forever be things of the past. Yes, “death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Praise be to our God! Yes, Jehovah, “let your Kingdom come”!—Rev. 19:6; 21:3-5.
