A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

The New Testament makes it clear that the kingdom of God will be finalized and consummated in the future. But it has truly and surely been inaugurated already in the past. Jesus’ coming was to begin the kingdom of God. Remember John the Baptist’s preaching was what? “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” And then Jesus came preaching the gospel, the good news of the kingdom of God. And He said, “If you see me casting out Satan by the finger of God, then you know that the kingdom of God is among you.” It’s here, in a very real sense.

And so our situation historically, in terms of redemptive history, is far greater than anything John experienced, even though he was an eyewitness of Jesus and actually baptized Him. Sometimes we think, “Wouldn’t it have been great if we could have lived back in the first century and could have seen the miracles of Christ, could have been a witness of the crucifixion, to have been there on Easter Sunday and seen the resurrected Christ stand on the Mount of Ascension and watch Him on the glory clouds being lifted up to heaven? Those people were so much more blessed than we are.” No, we live on this side of the enthronement of Christ as the King of the kings and as the Lord of the lords. Well, so what?

May be the perfect time to ask this question. Here’s the good news. Even if things get worse, here’s what I guarantee you: Jesus Christ will still be King. And again, if the fig tree doesn’t blossom, and if there’s no more cattle in the stalls, nevertheless, we rejoice in the God of our salvation because we are in the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.