Kingdom Ready

In Luke 1:32-33, the angels give us the tip off that it’s all about Jesus being the Christ, the King of an everlasting Kingdom, who will be anointed by the Spirit of God: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the LORD God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and his kingdom will have no end.”

What kingdom is this referring to? The modern-day ‘church’ as some suppose? Heaven? I think it’s made very clear in Daniel 7, that this is all about a futuristic kingdom – a kingdom in the ‘age to come’ that is yet to be established, and will have no end. Daniel 7:14 says, “And to him (the Messiah) was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and his kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” Verse 18 says, “But the holy ones of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.” Verse 27 goes on to say, “Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom and all the dominions will serve and obey him.”

This certainly hasn’t happened yet. But when? At Jesus’ return, it all begins to unfold. I Corinthians 15:20-28 gives us a clear and simple time line of these future events. First, Christ will come back to the earth and the dead will be resurrected, then Jesus must rule and reign with his holy ones (that’s us, in our new immortal, imperishable bodies!), until he has put all his enemies under his feet. Then, he will deliver the kingdom to God and Father at the very end, when the earth will be restored, and then God will be all in all, and will dwell with mankind. (Revelation 21).

This kingdom we are looking for will be a time of justice, righteousness and peace. This king of the kingdom we are looking for will be coming back to the earth. This king is the Lord Messiah Jesus. As we celebrate this Advent season, we not only celebrate his birth (the first coming), but his second coming, when God’s word will be fulfilled and accomplished through His only begotten Son.

Ron Walters recently sent out an email devotional from crosswalk.com and he wrote what is so prevalently heard in churches today, “It was little ol’ Bethlehem, but it was big enough. The omnipresent God had no problems fitting in. It was quite a contrast trading the throne room of heaven for a stable, angels for cattle, hallelujahs for a lullaby. Bethlehem had its share of visitors, but never one like this. The prophets had given the pieces of the puzzle, but at first glance they didn’t seem to fit. The Alpha and Omega was born. The Ancient of Days had the skin of a newborn. The same voice which spoke the creation into being had the familiar ring of baby-talk. A child was born of a virgin. Never before had The Eternal become so tiny, the Almighty become so helpless. He had out-muscled Pharaoh’s army, now he was held in Mary’s arms. The eyes that see the beginning to the end, could hardly open. The God who never slumbers was now fast asleep. Angels were dispatched to spread the word. First stop–a group of shepherds. It was just one sentence, only one verse, 19 small words, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

“The Ancient of Days” did not have the skin of a newborn. In fact, Daniel 7:13 gives us a clear visualization of the Son of Man (Jesus, the Messiah) being presented to the Ancient of Days, and God giving Jesus dominion and glory and a kingdom in verse 14. Nothing so eloquently describes this relationship between God and His Christ and the hope of the Kingdom that will have no end in the age to come, in which we, too will possess (Daniel 7:18).
This Advent Season is NOT a celebration of the birth of a God-Man or an “Ancient of Days talking baby talk”, but the celebration of the supernatural, miraculous, unique birth of Jesus by God’s power, who created the “last Adam” when He begat Jesus.(See Part 1). Jesus was and still is a man, who has been given the title of “Son of God” just like Adam was given that title, in Luke 3:38, “The son of Adam, the Son of God.”

We, too, are sons (and daughters! 🙂 ). Based on Galatians 4:7, we are sons, and heirs to the promise made to Abraham, heirs of the world (Gal. 3:20; Romans 4:13).

God provided for us, through Jesus, a Savior for our sins, which gives us entrance into the kingdom in the age to come, to inherit the gift of eternal life. God has saved us, through the shedding of Jesus’ sacrificial blood (Jesus is called the “Lamb of God” in Scripture also). This King, Lord Messiah Jesus will return to the earth and establish his God and Father’s kingdom, without end, in which we will take part and reign with him and live for eternity.

It’s a beautiful story of Redemption. Restoration. And has a very happy ending, if we accept this good news, repent of our sins, and be baptized, then live an obedient life of faith in Jesus.

Let us celebrate the Advent of our King! It is indeed something to celebrate and look forward to with great anticipation! As John pens in Revelation 22:20, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Merry Christmas! Let us celebrate the birth and the second coming of our King!