Biblical perspective for saints unto the coming kingdom

Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14)

The word “gospel” means good news. The gospel of the kingdom is definitely good news for a person who is a conscious sinner who knows that Jesus Christ died for his sins. Such a one is joyfully aware that Christ has loved him with an everlasting love — and that Christ washed him from his sins in his own blood. Moreover, Christ has made those he loved both kings and priests, and they shall reign on the earth. So, the gospel is the gospel of the kingdom — the kingdom of Jesus Christ, which shall never end.

Those who have believed Jesus Christ is lord and savior presently have both the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Upon believing — exercising faith in Christ — the focus of the saints of God changes drastically from what it was before they came to know Christ as savior. The world is no longer their home. While they are responsible citizens of their own countries in the world, their real citizenship is in heaven. They are both pilgrims and strangers here in this present world. As Abraham, Sarah and others of faith did in bygone days, these who have received the faith of God’s elect are looking for a city with foundations whose builder and maker is God. They are looking forward earnestly and expectantly to the time when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of their lord and his Christ.

Are they so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good? Nay, a thousand times nay! These are the solid citizens of the nations who realize that God has instituted civil government for the good of all men. Can we imagine no government? Living in anarchy? Those different forms of government shall continue until that day when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of their lord. These pilgrims and strangers on earth are daily praying and giving thanks for kings, governors and all who are in authority. Why? The lord has commanded them to do this that they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. True saints of God go about doing good, honor all men and love their neighbors as themselves. Just as their God shows a general love for his creation by sending rain on the just and the unjust, in the very same way these saints help others as their means and opportunity allows. Thus, they are the salt of the earth — the light of the world.

Why would these children of the living God fret, worry and be fearful for the crumbling society around them? They are powerless to change the continuing downward spiral of human behavior in this world. They cannot to stop the drugs, alcohol and promiscuity that is rampant in their society. They cannot stop the doctors who have given themselves over to murder the innocents by wrenching them from their mothers’ wombs before they see the light of day. The saints should not hope to correct the flagrant errors of a judicial system that slaps murderers on the wrists instead of asserting their God-given power to administer capital punishment. No, the saints join the handful of other law-abiding citizens of this land who are called upon to bear a heavy tax burden to house and/or rehabilitate these criminals.

While the saints behold all the rampant wrongs of the world, they have a sure and steadfast hope that a brighter day is definitely coming when the son of the living God returns as the lightning comes out of the east and shines to the west. He shall send his angels with the great sound of a trumpet and gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. The bodies of the saints sleeping in the earth shall rise, and the living saints shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. Jesus Christ shall return as king of kings and lord of lords and shall put down all power and authority — even destroying those gathered from all nations to battle around Jerusalem. Then shall the lord be king over all the earth and his saints shall reign with him. This is part of the gospel or good news of the kingdom which they earnestly desire praying, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done.”

Wonder upon wonder! When that day comes, a great portion of the present curse on this earth shall be removed or suspended. The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the lord as the waters cover the sea. Nothing shall hurt nor destroy in all God’s kingdom. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock. The leopard shall lie down with the kid; the cow and the bear shall feed together, and a little child shall lead them. Men shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks! Men shall learn war no more! Lord, we pray the more earnestly, thy kingdom come!

Leon King is pastor for Hidden Hills Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Willow.