The Gospel of the Kingdom: Part 9

Since it's been a while since part 8 of this blog was posted, it might be good to revisit the motivation for beginning this series in the first place. Motivation #1 - Jesus' central theme in ministry was the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23, etal). Motivation #2 - Jesus said that the end would not come until this gospel had been preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations (to all peoples, people groups, ethnos, Matthew 24:14). Motivation #3 - we should be familiar with this gospel so we can preach it accurately, and thereby hasten the day of the Lord's return (2 Peter 3:12).

When we ended last time, we said that we would begin this installment with Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer i who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." By joining Him in death, we are also able to join Him in resurrection power (Philippians 3:10) and share in His resurrection life now (Ephesians 2:5). We are already living on the heavenward side of the first stage of the resurrection. Wow!

The final stage of the resurrection is seen when 1 Corinthians 15:24 and Revelation 20:10, 14 are seen together. The Kingdom (which became the possession of the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 11:15, is now given up to God as the devil is thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, followed by Death and Hades (the grave). At the end of the millennial reign of Christ, the last enemy (death) will be destroyed forever, and having subdued all enemies, He will deliver up the Kingdom to God the Father. A previous stage of this conquest occurred, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:23, and Revelations 20:4, when "they which are Christ's at His coming" are raised (or transformed) incorruptible.

So the kingdom of God means the defeat of all of the enemies of God. It means the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, defeating the enemies of God one by one until the last enemy is destroyed... death. And from whence cometh death? "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). And from whence cometh sin? Satan, of course - he who was created perfect, and then iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:15). Here we have a hellish triumvirate - Satan, sin, and death. Christ must reign until He has put ALL enemies under His feet. While it is not until the end of the Millennium that this is finally accomplished, there is a past aspect to the conquering of this triumvirate which translates into a present benefit. Christ has already been raised from the dead. Stage one to the conquering of the final enemy has been accomplished.

It's not just the first stage of the conquering of death that has been accomplished, but the Kingdom of God has invaded the present evil age - the domain of Satan! Hebrews 2:14 (which we have cited previously) makes this abundantly clear. Those whom God would make His children through faith have been delivered from the fear of death and are no longer subject to its bondage. A destruction of Satan (at least his power) has already taken place through the death and resurrection of Christ. The Greek word translated "destroy" here means "to put out of action," "to render ineffective." The first of three stages in the conquering of Satan has been accomplished. We see this in several of the Gospel narratives, such as Matthew 4:23-24. "And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and infirmity among the people. SO His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and He healed them."

The Lord Himself, when He proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom of God, demonstrated that Good News by delivering men from the bondage of Satan. This involved both physical healing and the exorcism of demonic spirits. Jesus would say in Matthew 12:28, "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." And so the Gospel of the Kingdom is that God is now acting among men to deliver them from the power of Sin, Satan and Death. Jesus commissioned the 12, and through them believers down through the centuries, to go and preach this Gospel, declaring that the same signs that accompanied His preaching of the Gospel would accompany theirs (ours).

Next time we will see how the importance of this Gospel being preached and and practiced will reach its zenith in the last days, as the end nears. Until then, be encouraged by these words. May they quell any concerns in your heart about healthcare reform. Jesus already reformed the healthcare system.

Birth Pangs and Fig Trees, Part 18

APOSTASY AND REVIVAL. Last time we looked at how both of these phenomena can occur at the same time. The fact that they can presents a clear and present danger, calling for discernment on the part of the saints. Let me give you an example from about 27 years ago. My wife was recently saved and I had just returned from several years of wandering in the wilderness. One Saturday afternoon, my wife suffered one of those horribly painful back injuries which are brought on by nothing more traumatic than lifting a newspaper. The only way she could move from the bed to the bathroom was to crawl. We both prayed, but the pain persisted through the night. The next morning, with my wife's approval, I went to church. It was a good church with good people, but denominational through and through. I went to some of the deacons after service (there were no elders) and asked if they would come to the house and anoint my wife with oil and pray in accordance with James 5:14-15. I was told that we didn't do things that way here; that Scripture was for the early church. We now have good doctors, and we should consult one.

Some young people who were part of a travelling drama ministry overheard the conversation and dared to interject their thoughts. They believed the Scriptures were true and applicable today, and that even though they weren't elders (I think the oldest was about 22) there were other Scriptures, such as Mark 16:18 we could stand on. So, they came to the house, laid hands on my wife and prayed - believing that God would honor His word and confirm it. Six hours later my wife and I were at our couples bowling league. I think she bowled a 224 that night. Praise God!

I use that story to illustrate the time of crisis that is about to visit us. I'm told that in the Chinese language the word for crisis consists of two connected symbols, one meaning danger and the other meaning opportunity. Danger lurks around every corner; danger that is common to all men, and danger that is specific for the Christian. If the government takes over the health-care industry (and there are rumors that it will be forced upon us within the week) it poses a certain danger for everyone in the USA. Oh some will see it as an opportunity to gain something they never had, but in the long run, health care will deteriorate, become more expensive, and will be mired in the muck of bureaucracy. For the Christian, the immediate crisis may be caused by the inclusion of tax-payer funded abortion coverage in the government plan. What should a Christ-follower do? There is a danger if one cannot reconcile such a plan with their faith. I know I couldn't, and Scripture says: "...everything that does not come from faith is sin." (Romans 14:23) Opinions will be divided in the church, both among individuals and denominations, just as it is now concerning the matters of abortion, gay rights, etc.

Where's the opportunity in all of this? It is simply to stand on God's Word as Plan A, with no Plan B in sight. Pressure to fold and compromise will come from every quarter. Your own church and your own church friends may not support your decision. Your child may be running a fever of 103 and answers to prayer may be delayed. Now is the time to begin seeing yourself facing the pressure of the enemy and not folding. Now is the time to begin being vocal and demonstrative in your faith, and as such begin aligning yourself with others of like precious faith. It will be hard when support will not be forthcoming from the deacons, but God will send the young Christian actor, or some other such "weak and foolish" vessel to bring about your deliverance. And the church will begin to look more and more like the church of Acts 2:42-47 and beyond.

"Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (Acts 4:29-30)