It was evident that the lord Jesus entered into Jerusalem as a King, even though His personal character, and the manner by which He entered, were much different from worldly Kings.  He is a simple and humble King, a meek and peaceful King, a spiritual King who is sojourner to this world. Nonetheless, He is a great and strong King, a just and victorious King (Zechariah 9:9), a fearful, but at the same time, loving King.

Because Jesus is such an exceptional King, then His Kingdom is consequently different form that of the world in many of its characteristics.  And If He is such a great King, and then His Kingdom is undoubtedly joyful and transcendent Kingdom, rich and full of advantages for its members.

This is the Kingdom which we are members of. Through faith and baptism we entered into its membership and through our commitment to its rules, we enjoy all of its advantages, glory, and blessings.

Together, let’s glance through some of the characteristics of this Kingdom and see how they pertain to us as members and ambassadors to His Kingdom on earth.

First: It’s a Kingdom that is not of this world (John 18:36), a Kingdom sojourner to this earth, a spiritual Kingdom not a materialistic one, Heavenly not worldly, eternal rather than temporal, a Kingdom that reigns over hearts rather than land and positions, and a Kingdom that does not have any longings in this world except elevating people to join its membership and enjoy a better life.

 Second: It’s a Kingdom of humble ones because its King is humble and He doesn’t bestow His grace except to the humble.  Therefore, however wants to enjoy the richness of this Kingdom and its joyful mysteries, needs to humble himself, place himself in the last row, and to be a servant for everyone.

Third: It’s a Kingdom of saints because its King is the king of saints (Revelation 15: 3) and its membership is limited only to the saints who continually wash their robes and hearts in the blood of the Lamb, the King of all kings (Revelations 7:14).

Fourth: It’s a Kingdom of peace which firmly rejects violence and so her members do. To the contrary, everyone who joins its membership enjoys true peace that comes from the heart, fills the mind, and so leads the conduct, to the extent that its members are known to be peace makers (Matthew 5: 9).

Fifth: It’s a triumphant and glorious Kingdom, Its King is mighty and cannot be defeated, for He overcomes the world (John 16:33). He always leads the children of the Kingdom in His victorious march of glory (2 Corinthian 2:14), that explains one of His most important names, “King of glory.” He allows the members of His kingdom to be glorified with Him, if they suffer with Him and carry the Cross in thanksgiving. The cross is the banner of the Kingdom and its symbol of love, it is the throne of the King and the center from which His love and Kingdom shine, and because of that, the Cross is the secret of victory and glory of the Kingdom.

Sixth: It’s a steadfast Kingdom, it neither comes to an end nor it perishes, unlike the worldly Kingdoms which are weakened, become extinct, and all of them will end by the end of the world. As to the Kingdom of Christ, it will not pass away nor it will be destroyed (Daniel 7:14), (Luke 1:33). Hence, the gains enjoyed by the members of this Kingdom cannot be taken away from them, and joy will continue to grow in their hearts forever.

Seventh: The membership to the Kingdom is open to everyone. Anyone who accepts Christ as King over his or her life, accepts to enter into a covenant with Him through baptism, abides in Him through the Holy Sacraments,  and commit to conducting his life according to the biblical commandment, which are the laws of the kingdom, will reign with Christ forever, and death will have no dominion over him. In contrast, those who reject this free membership and seek the perishing worldly Kingdoms, money, fame, power, lust, will be making a fatal mistake and will perish being separated from the Kingdom of light.