"The Kingdom _of_ Heaven" is not as yet _in_ Heaven, so far as its subjects are concerned. It is true that the King Himself has ascended His throne in Heaven. And as members of Christ we share in some degree in the exaltation of our Head, so that S. Paul does not hesitate to say of the Lord's people here on earth, God "hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephes. ii. 6). But such words seem to apply to that part of our nature to which our hopes and affections belong. So far as our duties and difficulties are concerned, we are still surrounded with earthly temptations. We are still in a state of trial here, however much we may be looking for and longing after our home. And Heaven will not be opened to receive the subjects of "The Kingdom of Heaven" until the Great Day, when they will be welcomed with the words, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you" (S. Matt. xxv. 34). Christ's Kingdom "is not of this world" (S. John xviii. 36), as He declared plainly to Pilate when he questioned Him about Himself. But for the present we may consider that, practically speaking, it is _in_ the world though not _of_ it. For its subjects are not yet in Heaven: but are partly at rest in Paradise; partly here on earth still warring against evil. We can now express in few words the chief points respecting the nature of that "Kingdom of Heaven" which John the Baptist, in his office as Herald, proclaimed to be "at hand." The Lord Jesus Christ came to found a Kingdom. He is the King of "The Kingdom of Heaven." All who will accept Him as their King--all the men and women and little children in the world, of every land and of every age--may be admitted as the subjects of "The Kingdom of Heaven." For "He died for all" (2 Cor. v. 15). And "The Kingdom of Heaven," though it is a spiritual and heavenly Kingdom, is as yet here on earth, and will not be in Heaven, until the subjects of the King have been tried and found faithful, and the number of the elect shall be accomplished.