“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” -Matthew 25:31-34
Something the Lord has been revealing to me this month is Kingdom. What that means and what that looks like. From the foundation of the earth and the beginning of God’s word, God promised us a Kingdom. The Kingdom is God’s biggest and most consistent promise throughout the bible. That we would be a people worshipping our King. This promise is not just in the past or future, but in the present and in the midst of us everyday.
“…the Kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” -Luke 17:20-21
In Cambodia we got to meet with lots of pastors and directors of Christian organizations. Ultimately many, who were building Kingdom in Siem Reap, but truly that is what we get to do every month. Each month we meet with believers who are giving their lives to spreading the gospel! In each country I am meeting God’s Kingdom. His promise is being fulfilled before my eyes and I am in the midst of His people.
“…Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, Is the greatness and the power and the glory and the power and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the Kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” -1 Chronicles 29:10-11
“King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me, “How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and His dominion endures from generation to generation.” -Daniel 4:1-3
From the foundation of the world, God made a promise to His people. That one day we will live in a Kingdom together. You, me, and God. We will be the body of the King. We will worship Him forever as sons and daughters. Our souls will be satisfied by the love and glory of a powerful Father. And Jesus made that possible for us.
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” -Matthew 3:1-2
“…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” -Matthew 6:8-13
Not Lord if you will, bring your Kingdom or please bring your Kingdom, but Lord your Kingdom is coming.
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” -Matthew 6:33
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my names sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” -Matthew 24:9-14
God is gathering a group of people to worship Him and live with Him forever. And by the power of the Spirit, He is using His people to reach His people! Why does this get me so excited? Because the one thing that satisfies my soul the most, the one thing that brings me the most joy, a relationship with my Father, is at work and being made complete all around us. Through the people we have met all around the world, who are sharing the gospel and being used to bring more people into God’s Kingdom, are fulfilling the greatest promise ever. The promise my very soul was created for. The Kingdom work that these brothers and sisters are doing are revealing to me glimpses of God’s glory through one of His greatest promises! When that reality sets in. wow.
“…Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” -Mark 10:14-15
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God…Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” -John 3:3-5
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” -Hebrews 12:28
God promised us a Kingdom, and its being made right in the midst of us! To be with God brings our souls the most delight. The ministry and service is so good and God reveals Himself and others are shown the love of Jesus through those, but taking a step back and looking at the truth that is actually happening around the world, makes my heart in awe of who God is. When I realize that God is a faithful God, who follows through on His biggest promises it makes me want to marvel at Him in awe and adoration.
Rest assured His kingdom is being built, and there are faithful saints in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Cambodia, and Thailand, who have devoted their lives to sharing Jesus.
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” -Psalm 27:4
