Thy Kingdom Come
When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, among other things, he said, “…thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The scope of the kingdom of heaven encompasses a vast number of elements that involve hierarchical structures of authority, harmony and unity, peace and joy, covenantal relationships made through ordinances, all made possible by the atoning sacrifice of Christ, which satisfies the laws of justice and mercy. That is a big ask!
I will not have time to cover all of these elements in detail, but instead offer an explanation of how the restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a manifestation of an answer to the Lord’s prayer.
Part 1: The Heavenly and Earthly Kingdom
My research revealed that God’s sovereignty and power are keys to the kingdom. The structure that positions itself under The Father is detailed by some Christian theological interpretations of heavenly visions is this:
- God’s Supreme Authority: At the center of the heavenly realm is God, seated on a majestic throne surrounded by indescribable splendor. Visions from Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-4), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:27-28), and Revelation (Revelation 4:2-3) depict God as the ultimate ruler, with His glory radiating throughout heaven.
- Angelic Hierarchy: Christian tradition, influenced by theologians like Pseudo-Dionysius and Thomas Aquinas, describes a nine-tiered hierarchy of angels divided into three orders:
• Second Order: Dominions, Virtues, and Powers. They govern cosmic order and execute divine authority.
• Third Order (Closest to Humanity): Principalities, Archangels, and Angels. They interact with human affairs and deliver messages.- Heavenly Beings’ Roles: Each angelic rank has specific functions:
• Cherubim guard sacred spaces and symbolize divine wisdom.
• Thrones mediate God’s justice to lower orders.- Spiritual Warfare and Authority: Visions like Daniel 10 reveal an ongoing spiritual battle involving angelic beings and demonic forces. Archangels like Michael are depicted as leaders in this cosmic struggle, overseeing heavenly armies.
- The Seven Spirits of God: Revelation mentions seven Spirits before God’s throne, symbolizing divine wisdom and omnipresence. These spirits are sometimes associated with the Holy Spirit’s multifaceted work.
The point of all this is that heaven is not just God doing everything on his own. Since this is the case in heaven, it only makes sense that there would be levels of leadership in the earthly kingdom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints follows this pattern along with a handful of other denominations, but is not universally practiced in Christianity.
When I looked for examples of earthly manifestations of the kingdom of heaven, I got these:
- The Covenant with Abraham
• God called Abraham and promised that through his descendants, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). This marked the beginning of God’s plan to unite heaven and earth by establishing His kingdom through a chosen people. Abraham’s altars symbolized “gates” between heaven and earth, anticipating the restoration of Edenic harmony (Genesis 28:12-17). - Israel as a Holy Nation
• At Mount Sinai, God established Israel as a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6). This covenant gave Israel the role of representing God’s rule on earth by living according to His laws. Their obedience was meant to bring blessings to themselves and the surrounding nations, showcasing God’s kingship in tangible ways. - The Reign of David and Solomon
• Under King David, God’s rule was expressed through a united Israel, with Jerusalem becoming the political and spiritual center of God’s kingdom on earth. Solomon’s reign further exemplified this with unparalleled peace, prosperity, and the building of the temple—a physical representation of God’s presence among His people (1 Kings 8:10-13). - Jesus Christ’s Ministry
• Jesus proclaimed that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Through His teachings, miracles, and sacrifice, He embodied the union of heaven and earth as the God-man. Jesus’ life demonstrated heavenly principles—healing the sick, forgiving sins, and defeating evil—and inaugurated a new phase of God’s kingdom on earth.
• Jesus also identified Himself as “Jacob’s ladder,” connecting heaven and earth (John 1:51), fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about God’s direct kingship through David’s line.
You will need to read these points a few times to see the many references to our modern-day temples, ordinances, and blessings.
Part 2: Knowing God’s Will
The second part of Jesus’ prayer that we are discussing today, “…thy will be done…” is an essential part of establishing and maintaining the kingdom of God on the Earth. Most Protestant religions argue that the Bible alone is all we need to know the will of God, but that was never the case in Biblical history. They argue that because Jesus fulfilled the Law and the prophets, we don’t need more. That argument breaks down because that would make all the revelations received after Christ’s ascension null and void, but they believe them. The point is that God makes his will known the same way he always has, and that is through prophets and apostles.
The hierarchical structure of the heavenly kingdom—God’s supreme authority, angelic intermediaries, and delegated roles—finds its earthly parallel in how God’s will is revealed and enacted:
1. God’s Will Flows from Him: Through Jesus Christ as King and Mediator.
2. Angelic Roles: Angels continue their service by delivering messages and protecting believers.
3. Earthly Delegation: Jesus delegated authority to His disciples and established a structured church.
4. The Holy Spirit: Acts as a divine guide and distributor of gifts within this hierarchy.
5. Believers’ Roles: Humans participate in advancing God’s kingdom through their unique callings.
In essence, while the earthly manifestation of God’s kingdom may not replicate heaven’s hierarchy perfectly due to human limitations, it reflects its principles—order, delegated authority, service, unity under Christ—and serves as a foretaste of what will be fully realized when heaven and earth are united under God’s eternal reign (Revelation 21:1-4).
I will end there for now.
These and other aspects of the restoration are what we will study over the course of the year. I look forward to exploring it with you.