There is a sense in which the kingdom of God has come (Mat.12:28), and is yet to come (Mat.25:34). Both Jesus and His forerunner, John the Baptist, came preaching to Israel, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (3:2, 4:17). Jesus said one day to those who did not believe Him or the witness of John concerning the kingdom, “I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you” (21:31c). So, the kingdom had come since people were entering it in the days of Jesus.
In Matthew 11:7-19, Jesus accused Israel of rejecting the kingdom which had come upon them. They rejected both Jesus, the King, and John, who was not just a prophet, but the messenger of the King, who was sent before Him to prepare the way (11:7-11). Some believed, but Israel as a nation rejected their King, and treated with contempt His followers! In fact, Jesus said that the kingdom suffered violence since the days of John the Baptist (11:12-15). Israel’s rejection of both Jesus and His forerunner is indicated in verses 16-19. “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children” (Mat 11:18-19).
This seems to have been a tipping point for we read in the very next verse, “Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent” (Matthew 11:20). Jesus later said to the nation of Israel, “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (Matthew 21:43).
May we bear the fruits of the kingdom of God, and when it comes, hear these words from King Jesus, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (see Mat 25:34).