The Jehovah's witness look forward to a time when God's kingdom is set up on the earth. I love the utopia I see in the images they present in their magazine. Little babies cuddling great lions, healthy looking couples taking a walk with smiles on their faces and so on. The sense of peace and security that seems to overflow from these pictures makes you think, Wow! who wouldn't want this?!
As desirable as these images are to me,I have a problem with it.
The problem I have with these images, is that, they seem to endorse the assumption that if its not picture perfect then we haven't began to see the establishment of God's Kingdom on the earth. It seems to suggest that for God's kingdom to be operational on the earth all the troubles of life must first of all give way.
Do not get me wrong, I believe that as revealed in the book of revelation that we would see the rule of Christ upon all the earth but I believe that this reign of Christ has started in the hearts of men both here and now.
There are men who though they walk the earth, have chosen to march under the banners of a heavenly flag, the dance to the beat of a heavenly drummer, they live their lives to honor only a heavenly King, they are in this world but they are not of this world, their allegiance and loyalty is pledged to a king that is not of this world. They know that they are citizens of the very kingdom of God.
These are men who face great storms and still come out strong, They have faced great conflicts but it did not compromise their stand.I am talking of men that could still worship in the face of great personal loss, men who harbor no bitterness but sustain those that sold them into slavery even when they could pay them back.
I say this because many Christians also have assumed a state where they long for this utopia and forget that, here and now, their King needs them to live by heavenly decrees.
Friend, not everyone is destroyed and burnt by the fires that are kindled in this world (Ask the 3 hebrew children).
God says In Isa 43:2
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
These ones can go through the place of weeping and turn it into a place of refreshing. They are willing to yield their lives to serve the purpose of their great King and their love for him makes the trials they face a light thing.These are the ones that hold a song in their hearts in the darkest night, who set their course in life by a distant star-Yes, the bright and the morning Star. They walk by a light that is not the light of the day nor of the night but are guided by the true light that lights every man that comes into the world. These are the men and women who have totally yielded their lives to the King of all kings.
These are the ones that say boldly, It is no longer I that lives but Christ lives. For these ones, the kingdom of God is not a distant or future utopia, it is something they live and walk in daily.
A lot of Christians do not know the peace that comes from taking up their cross to follow Jesus.So many are unwilling to go through any hardship and would easily compromise rather than face any inconvenience for the one they call their Lord.
Oh, I pray that I would be among those who live by a different set of rules and have complete trust in God to cast my anchor completely on Him.
Did you notice that in the scripture above that it is in the days of "those" kingdoms that God chooses to set up His own Kingdom. Friend, God's kingdom is not coming, it is here already! It exists in the heart of men and women who live by the decrees that issue from heaven in their day to day life.
These people face great conflict because their laws seem to contradict the laws of the land where they dwell. Their way of life opposes the way the nation, in which they dwell, have chosen to live. Laws have been set up by these kingdoms to oppose the establishment of their kingdom on the earth but they still do not back down.To these ones I want to say to you: Be encouraged! You are among those heaven applauds as an overcomer. We suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together with Him.
I have heard of God's kingdom, I have heard of His will but where are the people who would live for this great King no matter the cost?
Oh, May I be found to be one.
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