The church here in our community is not the future kingdom of God. But because God, the Creator, is in our midst, it is the framework of the future kingdom. This framework consists of the building up, the relationship to one another, the possibility of our living for each other. God is this possibility. Without God, the whole world is lost. It is not enough for people to try to have relationship with one another. A relationship is only possible where God gives it.

- Eberhard Arnold

Jesus repeatedly challenges us to work while it is still day. He compares his kingdom to labor in a vineyard, to the working investment of moneys entrusted to one, to the good use of all one’s talents. If God’s kingdom is to transform the “vale of tears” into a realm of joy, then it must be a kingdom of work. Work alone befits the destiny of man’s spirit.

- Eberhard Arnold

The kingdom of God is truly God’s kingdom and not the kingdom of men. It is the kingdom of the heavens and not the kingdom of the earth. This means that this kingdom is not determined by, nor is it created by, nor does it come about through the working of the humans or the limits and barriers of our earthly space and the short span of our past, present, and future in time. This kingdom of God has its source where neither human limitations nor the limits of space or time is decisive.

- Eberhard Arnold