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“From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
— Matthew 4:17
That was the opening note of the public ministry of Jesus. Before He worked a miracle, before He opened blind eyes, before He chose the Twelve, He preached one clear, uncompromising message: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.
The song “Repentance Country” simply echoes that original gospel note. Many Christians today want power, blessing, anointing, spiritual gifts, healing, prosperity. But this is the doorway Jesus Himself placed at the entrance of the kingdom: repentance.
Not merely a suggestion. Not merely an option for very wicked people. It is the command of the King when His kingdom approaches.
The theme of the song is simple:
Let us look at what the Word of God says, and why this message is central to spiritual maturity, deliverance, and walking under the rule of God’s kingdom.
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The main verse quoted in the first line of the lyrics is Matthew 4:17:
> “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
### “From that time on…”
What time? In Matthew 4, several things have just taken place:
John the Baptist had prepared the way with the same message:
> “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” (Matthew 3:1–2)
Now John’s public ministry is effectively closed; the forerunner is set aside, and the King Himself steps to the front. Jesus takes up exactly the same message but with greater authority, because the One who preaches is not just a prophet; He is the King of that kingdom.
### Who was hearing this message?
The people of Galilee—Jews under Roman occupation:
Jesus comes saying, in effect:
“The real issue is not first the Roman empire outside you, but the rebellion inside you. The first word of the kingdom is not ‘revolt’ but ‘repent.’”
Mark gives us a parallel account, quoted in the lyrics as Verse 2:
> “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
> — Mark 1:15
The people believed God’s kingdom would come someday in power. Jesus says: “The time has come.” The kingdom is not only future; it has drawn near in the person of the King.
Isaiah’s voice is also brought into the song (Verse 3):
> “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
> call on him while he is near.
> Let the wicked forsake their ways
> and the evil their thoughts.
> Let them turn to the Lord,
> and he will have mercy on them.”
> — Isaiah 55:6–7
Isaiah, centuries earlier, spoke of a season of opportunity: God being “near.” When He is near, the appropriate response is:
Jesus stands in Galilee and declares that that time of nearness has come. The kingdom is no longer distant. God has drawn near in His Son. Therefore, the only legitimate response is repentance.
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To understand this message, we must examine two key words:
1. Repent
2. Kingdom
### 1. “Repent” — Greek: *metanoeō* (μετανοέω)
The verb used in Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:15 is *metanoeō*.
It is made up of two parts:
Literally: to change one’s mind, thinking, or understanding.
But in the New Testament, *metanoeō* is not merely an intellectual change. It is:
It is a moral and spiritual U-turn.
Isaiah 55:7 gives us the Hebrew picture of repentance:
> “Let the wicked forsake (*azab*) their ways
> and the evil their thoughts.
> Let them turn (*shuv*) to the Lord…”
Two Hebrew verbs:
So biblical repentance includes:
Repentance is not feeling sorry while walking in the same direction. It is adopting God’s mind about our sin—and then turning from it to Him. This deepens the lyric line:
> “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near—
> turn from your sin, draw close to God.”
Repentance is both:
If there is no turning, there is no repentance.
### 2. “Kingdom” — Greek: *basileia* (βασιλεία)
The word *basileia* does not primarily mean a geographical territory. It means rule, reign, government, authority.
When Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven has come near,” He is saying:
So the message is not: “Heaven as a place is now close geographically.” It is:
“The reign of heaven is now confronting you in the person of the King. Submit.”
That clarifies the chorus:
> “The kingdom has come, the King is here—
> repent and believe the good news.”
The King’s presence demands a response. You cannot receive the blessings of His kingdom while resisting His rule. The gateway into the kingdom is repentance.
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Let us now walk through the key statements of the song and see how Scripture interprets Scripture.
### A. Verse 1 – The First Message of Jesus
> “From that time on Jesus began to preach,
> ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’”
This was not an occasional emphasis. It was the front line of Jesus’ preaching.
Later, after His resurrection, He summarized His own teaching and mission:
> “He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’”
> — Luke 24:46–47
Notice:
If the modern church preaches forgiveness without repentance, it is proclaiming a different message from the one Jesus authorized.
Repentance is not a minor doctrine. It stands at the beginning of:
Peter’s instruction at Pentecost:
> “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
> — Acts 2:38
No repentance, no forgiveness. No repentance, no Holy Spirit. Repentance is the first step into New Testament salvation.
### B. Chorus – The Double Movement: Turn & Draw Near
> “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is near—
> turn from your sin, draw close to God.
> The kingdom has come, the King is here—
> repent and believe the good news.”
Here we have four elements:
1. The nearness of the kingdom
2. Turning from sin
3. Drawing close to God
4. Believing the good news
#### 1. The nearness of the kingdom
This “nearness” is both:
When the kingdom draws near, neutral ground disappears. The presence of the King confronts the human heart:
#### 2. Turning from sin
“Turn from your sin” echoes Isaiah 55:7 and Acts 3:19:
> “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
> — Acts 3:19
Notice:
Many believers seek “times of refreshing” while bypassing repentance. God’s order is unchanging: first repent, then refreshment.
#### 3. Drawing close to God
“Draw close to God” is the practical fruit of real repentance. James states this clearly:
> “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
> — **James 4:
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