Read: Matthew 6:24-34.
THY KINGDOM COME
Most Christians who are taught that “heaven” is their only goal are going to be very disappointed, because they believe that all one has to do is believe in Jesus Christ and be saved – [and according to the Scriptures, that all one needs to be saved] – and that's your passport to heaven, end of the matter. I am afraid that believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, is just the beginning. That qualifies us for the “race” and from there on we have to run, and run ‘lawfully’.
We pray, for example, “Thy Kingdom Come…,” most of us have, at best, only a rather foggy notion of just what it is we are praying for. Why? There are more promises and prophecies about the Millennial Kingdom than any other period in the entire Bible; I can safely say, that’s what the Bible is about – a kingdom that God is preparing for those that are prepared and you are not prepared by just being saved.
Unfortunately, many Churches have been blinded by the “amillennial” tradition (no-millennium), others by the doctrine of “eternal security,” which by the way is a great doctrine; the Bible does teach that once saved always saved. Once by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, our spirits are made alive (Eph. 2:1, 8), but at this point we are placed on the path to begin running the race. We also have a soul that needs salvation, Hebrews 4:12 shows that a distinct division is made between the spirit, body, and soul. When we examine 1Thessalonians 5:23, we will note that spirit, soul, and body must be “presented blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We must understand that the “Dacidic Covenant” (2 Sam. 7:8-16) was unconditional and that the coming Millennial Kingdom is its ultimate fulfillment. As we are reminded in Scripture of the Angel Gabriel’s annunciation of the Nativity to Mary, most people miss the implications embedded in the fact that her child was specifically destined to sit on the Throne of David (Luke 1:32). Even during the controversies facing the famed Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15), James referred to the same commitment (Amos 9:11). However, the Throne of David did not exist during the Messiah’s earthly ministry. Thus, the Throne-crowned One has yet to assume that very Throne and fulfill this very destiny!
It is surprising, yet very evident that a “kingdom perspective” appears to be the primary missing element in many contemporary post-modern Churches, as they slip away from their moorings, grope toward ancient mysticism, and mimic a time when the Word of God was far less available tan it is today!
I must provoke the minds of each reader/believer to consider the missing link in our Christian walk, discover that there is an inadequate grasp of the “Word of the Kingdom” and what the implications are for us not understanding it, and worst yet - not believing it. An understanding of the kingdom will surely change your life as you are compelled to walk in a way that’s pleasing to the Lord; one that will alter your priorities in just about everything.
For us to have a proper understanding of the Word of God, especially as it relates to the Word of the Kingdom, we must release ourselves of the prejudices, free ourselves from our doctrinal traditions, exercise precautions in our exegesis, and re examine the very root of our faith. The fact is, our eternal destiny depends upon our proper application of these imperatives.
As always, each believer is encouraged to take the examples of Acts 17:11 search the Scriptures and see if these things are so. I pray that we might revisit even some very familiar portions of Scripture and see if we can in a new way recognize the direction its taking us.
Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith or not.
There is a Kingdom to seek that very few Christians are aware of (Matt. 6:33).
THY KINGDOM COME
Most Christians who are taught that “heaven” is their only goal are going to be very disappointed, because they believe that all one has to do is believe in Jesus Christ and be saved – [and according to the Scriptures, that all one needs to be saved] – and that's your passport to heaven, end of the matter. I am afraid that believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, is just the beginning. That qualifies us for the “race” and from there on we have to run, and run ‘lawfully’.
We pray, for example, “Thy Kingdom Come…,” most of us have, at best, only a rather foggy notion of just what it is we are praying for. Why? There are more promises and prophecies about the Millennial Kingdom than any other period in the entire Bible; I can safely say, that’s what the Bible is about – a kingdom that God is preparing for those that are prepared and you are not prepared by just being saved.
Unfortunately, many Churches have been blinded by the “amillennial” tradition (no-millennium), others by the doctrine of “eternal security,” which by the way is a great doctrine; the Bible does teach that once saved always saved. Once by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, our spirits are made alive (Eph. 2:1, 8), but at this point we are placed on the path to begin running the race. We also have a soul that needs salvation, Hebrews 4:12 shows that a distinct division is made between the spirit, body, and soul. When we examine 1Thessalonians 5:23, we will note that spirit, soul, and body must be “presented blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We must understand that the “Dacidic Covenant” (2 Sam. 7:8-16) was unconditional and that the coming Millennial Kingdom is its ultimate fulfillment. As we are reminded in Scripture of the Angel Gabriel’s annunciation of the Nativity to Mary, most people miss the implications embedded in the fact that her child was specifically destined to sit on the Throne of David (Luke 1:32). Even during the controversies facing the famed Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15), James referred to the same commitment (Amos 9:11). However, the Throne of David did not exist during the Messiah’s earthly ministry. Thus, the Throne-crowned One has yet to assume that very Throne and fulfill this very destiny!
It is surprising, yet very evident that a “kingdom perspective” appears to be the primary missing element in many contemporary post-modern Churches, as they slip away from their moorings, grope toward ancient mysticism, and mimic a time when the Word of God was far less available tan it is today!
I must provoke the minds of each reader/believer to consider the missing link in our Christian walk, discover that there is an inadequate grasp of the “Word of the Kingdom” and what the implications are for us not understanding it, and worst yet - not believing it. An understanding of the kingdom will surely change your life as you are compelled to walk in a way that’s pleasing to the Lord; one that will alter your priorities in just about everything.
For us to have a proper understanding of the Word of God, especially as it relates to the Word of the Kingdom, we must release ourselves of the prejudices, free ourselves from our doctrinal traditions, exercise precautions in our exegesis, and re examine the very root of our faith. The fact is, our eternal destiny depends upon our proper application of these imperatives.
As always, each believer is encouraged to take the examples of Acts 17:11 search the Scriptures and see if these things are so. I pray that we might revisit even some very familiar portions of Scripture and see if we can in a new way recognize the direction its taking us.
Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith or not.
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