"The Kingdom of the Heavens Has Drawn Near"

Nearly 2,000 years ago, the Kingdom good news was first declared publicly by a dedicated man whose appearance and manner commanded much attention.  That man was John the Baptizer, son of Jewish Priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. John wore a garment of camel hair, with a leather girdle around his loins, in the manner of the prophet Elijah, who foreshadowed him.  But it was his message that attracted the attention  of many.  "Repent," he proclaimed, "for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn hear." -Matthew 3:1-6.

John's listeners were Jews, who professed to be worshipers of the true God, Jehovah.  As a nation, they had received the Law covenant  through Moses about 1,500 earlier. Still standing in Jerusalem was the magnificent temple, where sacrifices were offered in accord with the Law. the Jews felt sure  that their worship was right in God's eyes.

Listening to John, however, some people began to realize that their religion was not what they thought it was.  Greek culture and philosophy had infiltrated Jewish religious teachings  The law received from God through Moses was now adulterated, even invalidated, by man-made beliefs and traditions.  (Matthew 15:6)  Misguided by their hardhearted merciless religious leaders, most no longer worship God acceptably.  (James 1:27) They needed to repent of their sins against God and against the Law covenant.  

At that time, many Jews were expecting that appearance of the promised Messiah, or Christ, and some were wondering about John:  "May he perhaps be the Christ?"  John, however, denied that he was and instead directed them to someone else, of whom he said:  "The lace of[his] sandals i am not fit to untie."  (Luke 3:15, 16) Introducing Jesus to his disciples, John declared:  "See, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!" -John 1:29.

Next time: Conclusion of "The Kingdom of the Heavens Has Drawn Near

From the Watchtower magazine, 2001