Discipleship · Kingdom Journal

What Does "Thy Kingdom Come" Mean? The Kingdom of God Explained

By Daniel Ziedins · DanielZiedins.com

The meaning of 'Thy kingdom come' in the Lord's Prayer: what the kingdom of God is, already and not yet, kingdom of God vs kingdom of heaven, the kingdom parables, and how to live it today.

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"Thy kingdom come" is a request in the Lord's Prayer asking God to establish His rule fully on earth, so that His will is done here as completely as it is in heaven. It is a prayer for God's reign: in our hearts now, in our communities and nations through the Gospel, and finally and completely when Jesus returns.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10 (KJV)

"Thy" is simply older English for "your". Modern translations read: "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:9–13; see also Luke 11:2). This line is where Thy Kingdom Network takes its name.

What is the kingdom of God?

The New Testament word for kingdom, basileia, means kingship or reign more than territory. The kingdom of God is God's rule and reign: wherever He is honoured as King and His will is done. It was the centre of Jesus' preaching from the first day: "The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15)

In Jesus, the King Himself arrived. His healings, His authority over evil and His forgiveness of sins were signs that God's reign had broken into the world: "if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28). The cross and resurrection are where the King defeated sin and death, and the Gospel is the announcement of that victory (see what the Gospel is).

Already here, and still coming

Scripture speaks of the kingdom in two ways at once, which Christians often call the "already and not yet":

  • Already: the kingdom is present wherever people trust and follow Jesus. Jesus said "the kingdom of God is in your midst" (Luke 17:21), and believers have been "brought into the kingdom of the Son" (Colossians 1:13).
  • Not yet: evil, suffering and death still remain. The kingdom will come in fullness when Jesus returns: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 11:15), and God will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:1–4).

So when we pray "thy kingdom come", we're asking for both: more of God's reign now, in lives and places that don't yet know Him, and the day when His kingdom is complete.

Kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven?

They mean the same thing. Matthew, writing largely for Jewish readers who reverently avoided saying God's name, usually says "kingdom of heaven"; Mark and Luke say "kingdom of God" in the same sayings (compare Matthew 4:17 with Mark 1:15). "Heaven" describes where the kingdom comes from, not only where it is.

What the kingdom parables reveal

  • It starts small and grows. Like a mustard seed that becomes a tree, and yeast working through dough (Matthew 13:31–33).
  • It is worth everything. Like hidden treasure or a pearl of great value that someone sells all they have to buy (Matthew 13:44–46).
  • It grows by God's power. Seed sprouts and grows while the farmer sleeps, "though he does not know how" (Mark 4:26–29).
  • It turns the world's values upside down. The poor in spirit, the humble and the merciful are blessed (Matthew 5:3–10), and the greatest is the servant of all.

What it means to pray "thy kingdom come"

  • Surrender. "Your will be done" comes straight after. Praying for God's kingdom means first letting Him be King in our own lives.
  • Priority. "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). God's reign comes before our own plans.
  • Mission. The kingdom spreads as the Gospel is shared and disciples are made (the Great Commission).
  • Compassion and justice. "On earth as in heaven" includes healing, mercy, honesty and care for the poor and broken now.
  • Hope. However dark the present looks, the King is coming and His kingdom will have no end.

Living for the kingdom this week

Kingdom work across the network

Ministries and tools helping the kingdom come in practical ways.

  • Love on The World (LoveonTheWorld.com): Mobilizing believers to love people, share Jesus, and serve their communities with bold compassion.
  • God Heal Our Land (GodHealOurLand.com): A national call to prayer, repentance, and revival for Canada, built on 2 Chronicles 7:14. Interdenominational and free to join.
  • Jesus Festival (JesusFestival.ca): Gathering cities around worship, the Gospel, prayer, and unity across the whole local church.
  • SIX33 (SIX33.World): Seek First. Live Different. A Christian lifestyle and performance culture brand built on Matthew 6:33 — launching soon, with a heart to fund Love on The World.

Quick answers

What does "Thy kingdom come" mean?

It is a request in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:10) asking God to establish His rule fully on earth so that His will is done here as it is in heaven: in our hearts now, through the spread of the Gospel, and completely when Jesus returns.

What is the kingdom of God?

The kingdom of God is God's rule and reign: wherever He is honoured as King and His will is done. Jesus announced that it had come near in Him (Mark 1:15), and it will come in fullness when He returns.

Is the kingdom of God here now or in the future?

Both. It is already present wherever people trust and follow Jesus (Luke 17:21, Colossians 1:13), and it is not yet complete; it will come in fullness when Jesus returns (Revelation 11:15, 21:1–4).

What is the difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven?

There is no difference in meaning. Matthew usually says 'kingdom of heaven', reflecting Jewish reverence for God's name, while Mark and Luke say 'kingdom of God' in the same sayings.

What does 'thy' mean in the Lord's Prayer?

'Thy' is older English for 'your'. 'Thy kingdom come, thy will be done' means 'your kingdom come, your will be done'.