The ministry of Jesus is centered and summed up in these words, “The kingdom of God is at hand” (Mk 1:15). His whole purpose was to rescue and redeem man to his original realm and divine order. We become stronger and more grounded when we understand the kingdom of God. Paul tells us the kingdom is not “eating and drinking” (so it is not, ritual or performance based), but “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17).