We proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is not only promised for a distant day. Christ proclaimed it at hand, within reach of every soul who would open ears to hear, heart to feel, and eyes of the spirit to see. He calls us to enter it now, in this mortal life, and to begin to live eternal life now, while we yet walk in flesh. Eternal life is not merely an unending existence beyond the grave — it is the life of knowing God and fellowship with His Son, which begins the moment we come to Him and can continue without end. We do not have to wait for death to find His rest. We do not have to wait for perfection to taste His joy. We do not have to wait for glory to know His peace. We can feel His peace now. We can perceive His power and Spirit operating in our lives to the healing and renewal of our souls. These fruits are the witness that the kingdom has already come to those who receive it and who seek to build it. The Father's will was never that we should merely endure mortality while awaiting Him. His will is that we should live — really live — beginning now.