Matthew 10-12: The Kingdom of Heaven is Near

'Go', Jesus told his disciples, 'go and proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is near.  It is a kingdom unlike any you have seen.  Those who would be great in this kingdom will be persecuted.'  But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. - Matt 10:19-20 NIV

This is not going to be a peaceable kingdom, Jesus told them.  Brothers will turn against brothers, a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.  Trying to preserve your life will do you no good.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. - Matt. 10:39 NIV

It will be a kingdom that is not understood by outsiders.  There will be nothing the citizens of this kingdom can do to please the world.  If they are strict and fast like John the Baptist, they will be called crazy and if they feast and drink like the 'Son of Man', they will say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners.- Matt 11:18 NIV

"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  - Matt 10:26-28 NIV

But the most important thing is that this kingdom is the Father's kingdom.  It will be hidden fro the world, but not from the Father's children.  The wise and learned of this world will not understand it, but it is his design, his good pleasure and it is the only way to find true rest from the forces of this world. 

 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matt.  11:25-30