Advancement of Christ’s Kingdom in the world

In August of 1722, after studying at Yale College, Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) became the pastor of a small Presbyterian church in New York City. He served that church for a brief, but spiritually rich and formative nine months. Edwards’ church was small and had few expectations of their young pastor. This left abundant time for him to study, pray, and participate in spiritual conversations. Two great and lifelong pursuits began during these restful months: his fascination with the future advancement of Christ’s kingdom, and his detailed study of Biblical prophecy. In his Personal Narrative, Edwards writes:

I had great longings for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom in the world.  My secret prayer used to be in great part taken up in praying for it. . . .  Sometimes Mr. Smith and I walked there together, to converse of the things of God; and our conversation used much to turn on the advancement of Christ’s kingdom in the world, and the glorious things that God would accomplish for his church in the latter days.
– Jonathan Edwards, “Personal Narrative,” in Letters and Personal Writings , ed. George S. Claghorn, The Works of Jonathan Edwards , vol. 16, 790-806 (New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1998), 797.