When the disciples heard that the kingdom of God appeared among them, they rejoiced and distributed within themselves the ministry offices. Jesus warned them of earthly thought, and indicated to them their severe suffering as a result of his ascension to heaven, for then they would be forsaken, without apparent presence and protection of their King, only trusting his promises, and believing in his power centered in their hearts. The kingdom of God does not spread openly in the world, but is hidden, as it was in Christ. You do not see Jesus’ followers having shining crowns, bright clothes, or glorious authority, but suffering distress, contempt, persecution, and smallness in number, to cry at last while in the painful nightmare, "Come, Lord Jesus!"
The tribulations of the last days will produce in them longing for the coming of Christ that they will try to find out every small sign that indicates his arrival, expecting the rapture at all times. But Jesus warns them saying, "Do not be superficial, and accepting quickly every information. I shall not come hidden as a ghost, or as an ordinary man, or as an earthly power, but my second coming is like the explosion of the glory of God in all its honor in the midst of the darkness of this age. Then heaven will part, the light of glory of the Holy One will dazzle all men, the appearance of the Son of Man will shine as amazing lightning, and the rays of his glory will pierce all materials more forcefully than the electric rays used by physicians. Even on the other side of the globe, where there is darkness, the light of Christ will shine on them with a new day.
Our comfort in that great day to come is that he who comes is not a strange god, or a destructive angel, but the Son of Man who is Jesus Christ. Christ is not unknown. He is one of our human race. He comes not to destroy the faithful, but to catch them up to him, for he wants us to be with him at all times. We, who bore his Spirit, characters, and power in us, are the representatives of his kingdom in this unjust world.
Then his disciples did understand Christ’s sayings. They did not perceive his suffering and death at all, for they thought of an earthly kingdom, without change of hearts, while Christ explained to them the way to glory leading to sufferings first. Without atonement and forgiveness man is not admitted into fellowship with God. The cross is the door to the kingdom of the Lord, for without purification by grace you cannot enjoy membership in heaven. But he who enters the expanses of God faithfully and thankfully stands fast today between the truth of complete salvation on Golgotha, and the emanation of salvation apparent in the second coming of Christ. Until now, all the faithful bear the kingdom of God in their hearts. You can easily know them by their countenance, for the essence of the kingdom is LOVE.