Only the words of Jesus...
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
At hand means near...
I agree. But there are other verses to contend with. Let's analyze:
Jesus began at Galilee preaching the Kingdom (God/heaven) was at hand, or, you stated, near:
"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15 KJV)
"Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee … From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mat 4:12, 17 KJV)
But later Jesus said that the violent controlled the kingdom of God/heaven from the days of John the Baptist:
"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Mat 11:12 KJV)
Even later, he gave us an indication of who the violent were:
"And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? ...Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof ... And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them." (Mat 21:43. 45 KJV)
It appears the violent were, most likely, the chief priest, elders and Pharisees. Therefore, I conclude that when Jesus said the kingdom of God/heaven was at hand, he meant it was going to be taken away from the violent, and given to others. Does that sound reasonable?
Philip