“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

These words, from the Book of Revelation and appropriated by G. F. Handel for the “Hallelujah Chorus,” always add some mystery about this “kingdom of our Lord” for me. Where and when is this kingdom? Can we see it? Should we imagine it? Is it for now or for the Return of Christ at some indefinite future? If they are prophetic, the words themselves don’t give the answer.

As we sing the famous chorus at the conclusion of the funeral service for our wife, sister, daughter, mother, niece, friend, for Susan Jean Sherman Talley on Saturday, I wonder again. Does Susan know about this kingdom today or at some future date appointed by God? Did she know about it ten days ago when she was abruptly taken from our midst by an automobile accident? Does she have the answers to my questions?

We think our lives have a clear beginning and ending, but that may not be true.

Sharing the fate of Jesus on a  neighboring cross, one of the criminals on the right or the left said:

“Jesus, remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” He [Jesus] replied, “Truly I tell you. Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:42, NRSV)

The kingdom Jesus spoke of is today. A stunning reassurance for a condemned man.  He felt hope for his fast-approaching future. Perhaps for the first time in his life–hope. It is not a stretch for the rest of us to believe in that promise. “The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord.”

If we view life from this perspective we are living in this kingdom now,  not just at the end of our mortal life. We are inhabiting the same  kingdom with Susan, not in the future, but now! Our lives are not beginning or ending, they are now, in a segment of eternity.  We lived in the kingdom yesterday, we live today and will live tomorrow.

We have experienced loss. Yes, we are separated from someone we love dearly.  Mortality is real; we live with it daily. But “the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord   . .  . And he shall reign forever and ever.” That is consolation for many of us, trapped in the world of beginnings and endings.

Another promise intended specifically for Susan. Not all of us can claim it: ” You’re blessed when you are content with just who you are–no more nor less. That’s the moment when you find yourself proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.” (Matthew 5:5, The Message).

Susan is definitely one of those so blessed, because she loved the life she was living before she left this dimension for “the kingdom of our Lord.”

And for the rest of us, who cannot see the kingdom coming for us at this very moment in time, Jesus promised:

You’re blessed when you are at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule [“kingdom of heaven”]  (Matthew 5:3, The Message)

We are all blessed as we say good bye  to Susan on this weekend. Trying to remember that, “The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord– and of his Christ. And he shall reign for ever and ever.” So will we. So will Susan.