When you read any of the four gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke or John -- take notice how much Jesus speaks of the kingdom.
He's always saying things like:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Mt.3:2).
"The kingdom of God is in your midst" (Lk.17:21).
And, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn.3:3).
By emphasizing the kingdom, Jesus makes it plain the gospel itself is more than good news about forgiveness.
And it's about more than going to heaven.
Rather... the gospel is the proclamation of how Jesus has become king of the world. And how He rules the earth now.
Forgiveness is part of that message.
And so is having a place prepared for you.
But we must not miss the way Jesus highlights the coming of His kingdom in the here and now.
This explains why the Jesus teaches us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Mt.6:33).
It shows too why He commands us to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Mt.6:33) -- as our top priority.
Once you see this emphasis on the kingdom, everything looks different.
And the King and His kingdom becomes our north star, guiding us in all we do.