With this week’s episode we will wind up our moments related to our new book on the Kingdom of God. One of the key truths about the Kingdom is that it is both now and not yet. It broke into history in Jesus. It is being lived out in history by the disciples in the church who pledge alliance to King Jesus. But while it is now, it is also not yet. It is not yet in its ultimate fulfillment.
As exciting as it was to explore the meaning of the Kingdom in our lives today, it may have been even more amazing to write about the consummation of the Kingdom in the new heaven and new earth. Some of our concepts of heaven are sadly influenced more by Greek philosophy than by Scripture leaving us with vague ideas not much related to experiences we find meaningful.
The Bible in Isaiah 65, 2 Peter 3, Revelation 21 envisions God’s Kingdom coming to fulfillment in a new heaven and new earth. In a remarkable and often overlooked passage in Romans, Paul tells us that at the present time the creation itself groans as in the pains of childbirth and longs for redemption and liberation from its bondage to decay. It seeks, Paul says, to share a glorious future of freedom with the children of God. And then he makes it clear that this is not wishful thinking, but a solid biblical hope that we wait for patiently.
The Kingdom in all its slendor. New people in glorious resurrected bodies in a redeemed and transformed earth. No more jealousy or pollution, no more selfishness or earthquakes, no more lying or cancer, no more hatred or heart disease. God’s transformed people in God’s redeemed earth. Won’t it be a time? ...but it won’t be over yonder.
Scriptures  Romans 8:18-25 18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21thati the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 2 Peter 3:13-14 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. |
Hey brother Tom, sometimes we gotta just pinch ourselves I think! Pinches ourselves with respect to the utter joy and amazing grace that the Bible promises us here!! The promises here are like a fairy tale, like a Hollywood movie, but, unlike those "stories", this one is true!! Can our salvation be so spectacular and wonderful that we could not only be forgiven, be called "saints" (due to Christ's righteousness/holiness impued on us), but that He would grant us Heaven, paradise, the Garden of Eden times two!! I mean, come on, what amazing grace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTo God be the Glory, Great things He has Done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!