"WHEN Will the Kingdom Come?
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All want to know when Christ will return. The disciples asked Him, “What shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt. 24:3.)
The entirety of the next forty-eight verses in Matthew 24:1-51 is Christ’s answer detailing many of the events, in sequence, that would precede His Coming. In Mt 24:36, referring to the exact time of His Coming, He stated, “But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matt. 24:36).
Just a few weeks later, in Acts 1:6-7, prior to Christ’s final ascension back into heaven, the disciples proved that they still did not either understand or really accept His previous explanation. So, they asked Him again. Notice: “… they asked of Him, saying, Lord, will You at this time RESTORE again the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own power” (Acts 1:6-7). Christ gave them the same answer as in Matthew—“it is not for you to know the times or the seasons.”
It is important to note that the New Testament Church would be established just ten days after this encounter (Acts 2:1). Why would Christ answer, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons” if the kingdom of God was going to be the Church, which was to be almost immediately established (on Pentecost)—only ten days later?
The same is true for us today. We cannot know exactly when Christ’s kingdom will come, but we can know a close approximation—and this time is very near. In Luke 21:31, at the end of a long prophecy paralleling Matthew 24:1-51, Christ stated, “WHEN you see these things [key events] come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is nigh [near] at hand” (Luke 21:31).
He did want them to know that “you shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you” (Acts 1:8), but not to know precisely when the kingdom would arrive. The same is true for all who are converted today. We cannot know exactly when Christ will return, but we can know that we will receive power now to grow and overcome—and to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God until He does.
Contents
God’s Intervention, or Cosmocide
We live in a dangerous age. World conditions grow increasingly worse. Nuclear World War III looms on the horizon. The military technology capable of wiping humanity off this earth now exists. The world’s greatest minds realize that one world government is the only thing that can stop mankind from destroying itself. Yet these same leaders also understand that a unified world government is impossible as long as men lead it.
So man is faced with two options; either God intervenes to stop him from destroying himself, or he is annihilated. The worst time the world has ever seen—the Great Tribulation—is soon to smash into an unsuspecting humanity. The outcome if God does not intervene—“except those days should be shortened”—is that “there should no flesh be saved.” God will mercifully intervene and save mankind by sending Jesus Christ to set up His world-ruling government to bring peace to man. He will force humans to live in harmony with each other.
This government will not be led by men. The all-powerful, living Jesus Christ will usher it in. History records that government in the hands of men fails every time! Only by the power of God can this world-ruling government succeed in finally bringing world peace.
Men’s Efforts Cannot Bring World Peace
True Christians are not activists seeking to “make this world a better place”—thereby bringing the kingdom of God to Earth. They have their “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15). They walk through life having their “feet” covered with the knowledge of how the true gospel spells the only way to final world peace. They understand with certainty that the kingdom of God—bringing “government and peace” (Isa. 9:6-7)—is coming. They know what lies ahead for this world.
They do not go off to serve and kill in the endless, futile wars of men and nations, or participate in the governmental affairs of men. Neither do they take matters into their own hands, and try to supposedly “spread the kingdom,” thereby attempting to neutralize God’s purpose, which is to show man that he is not capable of governing himself!
Instead, they actively participate in and support the most important Work on the face of the earth—the Work you have come in contact with!
They also recognize that God’s Plan to shake world events moves on His timetable. They know they must grow and overcome now, as though there is no tomorrow. Notice what Paul was inspired to write: “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they [leaders and religionists] shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thes. 5:2-4).
All who understand the truths of this book need never again be in the dark about God’s Plan or their awesome potential role within it.
Citing Isaiah 52:7, Paul also recorded, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings [the good news of the gospel] of good things” (Rom. 10:15). In Ro 10:16, he went on to cite another passage from Isaiah: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah said, Lord, who has believed our report?” (Isa. 53:1).
Of course, most people will not believe “God’s report” of what lies ahead for civilization. They will not believe that they are unable to bring world peace through human effort. Many will shout “Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14; 8:11, 14-15), and most will continue eagerly believing their false predictions, even in the face of abject failure.
The professing Christians of this world will continue desperately striving to bring about the kingdom of God and world peace through human effort. Deceived religious leaders will tell them that this is their “Christian duty.” Many will see this as the sole mission of their church. Millions are looking for happiness, abundance, peace, and security around every corner—but will be terribly disappointed in the short term. This is because world conditions, leading into a final devastating period of worldwide calamity, will get far worse before they ultimately get better.
City of Peace, Finally
But in the end, the world will NOT be disappointed! Good news lies ahead.
The capital city of the modern-day Jewish nation of Israel is Jerusalem. Though this city has known nothing but war throughout its history, its name literally means “CITY OF PEACE.” It carries this name because Christ—the PRINCE OF PEACE—will return there to establish His kingdom. The Prince of Peace will rule from the City of Peace. Beginning in this single city, peace will quickly spread around the world. Eventually, it WILL “break out” everywhere!
Final, true world peace, happiness, abundance, and prosperity will come in your lifetime. It is as certain as the Word of God!
“Thy Kingdom Come”
Most people are familiar with what is called “The Lord’s Prayer.” Many can recite it without effort, having practiced it without understanding that it is simply a model or guideline for how to pray. I learned it at age four. It begins, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth …” (Matt. 6:9-10). This short prayer continues for three more verses. But, of the millions who know and use it, how many actually think about the phrase “Thy kingdom come”—or God’s “will [His Master Plan] being done on Earth”? For 2,000 years, many may have basically sought to follow Christ’s instruction, praying, “Thy kingdom come” without ever really pondering the staggering meaning behind this small phrase.
Have you?
Only a few verses later, in the same chapter, Jesus instructed, “But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). Christians must be continually seeking the kingdom of God FIRST—above everything else—in their lives! How can they do this if they do not know what it is—or when it will come—or how it affects their own salvation? But now YOU do!
Will you pray, “Your kingdom come”? Will you make “your calling and election sure” (2 Pet. 1:10)? Will you overcome as Christ did? Will you grow, qualify, and develop in spiritual character—gain more pounds than when you started, so God will get a “return” on His investment in you? Or will you bury your pound, and with it your opportunity to rule over all nations in God’s kingdom—to teach others the right way of life?
Will you fulfil your AWESOME POTENTIAL?
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