The Kingdom Has Come! Series

John McFayden and his wife of Woodbridge, Virginia, decided to let their three-year-old son record the message for their home answering machine. The rehearsals went smoothly: “Mommy and Daddy can't come to the phone right now. If you'll leave your name, phone number, and a brief message, they'll get back to you as soon as possible.”

Then came the test. John pressed the record button and his son said sweetly, “Mommy and Daddy can't come to the phone right now. If you'll leave your name, phone number, and a brief message, they'll get back to you as soon as Jesus comes.” (John G. McFayden, Woodbridge, Virginia, “Kids of the Kingdom,” Christian Reader, www.PreachingToday.com)

Well, that could be a while, but perhaps not as long as many may think.

The Bible talks about two stages to Jesus’ Second Coming: The 1st stage is when He comes FOR his followers. 1 Thessalonians 4 says, “The Lord himself will descend from heaven… and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive… will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). That’s the 1st stage of Christ’s Second coming, when He comes FOR His followers. The 2nd stage is when He comes WITH his followers from heaven to establish His Kingdom on this earth.

Now, that 1st stage of Jesus’ coming could happen at any moment, even in the middle of this service. Matthew 24 says, “Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left” (Matthew 24:40-41). In other words, people all of a sudden will disappear from the face of the earth with no warning whatsoever. Those left will face seven years of tribulation. Those taken will be partying with Jesus, after which they will return with Jesus to rule and reign with Him on this earth.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait until that day! However, there are some who dread that day. What will it be for you? If you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to Revelation 11, Revelation 11, where we see how you can look forward to the Second Coming of Christ instead of fearing that day.

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (ESV)

I don’t know about you, but I hear the choirs of heaven singing the Hallelujah Chorus here. This is the climax of history. This is the event towards which all of history is driven – the reign of Christ on this earth. Indeed…

JESUS WILL REIGN.

Jesus will take over all the kingdoms of this world. Every nation will turn the reins of government over to him.

This is not to say that Jesus is not reigning now. The Bible makes it clear: Jesus is NOW “seated at [the Father’s] right hand… far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:20-21). Jesus is indeed Lord. It’s just that right now He chooses to rule through human governments, and sometimes He allows evil men to rule for His own purposes.

But there is coming a day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11). There is coming a day when Jesus will indeed reign literally and physically over all the earth. There is coming a day when He will take control of all national governments Himself.

Then, and only then, will there be peace on earth. Then, and only then, will the swords be beat into plowshares. Then, and only then, will the lion lie down with the lamb.

In April, 2002, after the Taliban were removed from power in Afghanistan, weapons were being sold at bargain prices. According to the April 9, 2002 issue of Time magazine, prices on knives, Kalashnikov rifles, and rocket-propelled grenades had dropped 50 percent in the previous four months.

One dealer tried to interest a Time reporter in a Kalashnikov for the bargain price of $200, with 100 rounds thrown in “to close the sale.” The man, who identified himself only as Abdul, said he wouldn't need his weapons anymore. “Peace has come to Afghanistan,” he says. “The King is coming home, and people are sick of fighting.” (Simon Robinson, “Today's a Great Day to Buy a Used AK,” TIME.com, 4-9-02; www.PreachingToday.com)

Well, his assessment was a little premature. Certainly the King of Afghanistan did return, but there was no lasting peace.

However, there IS coming a day, when Jesus the King WILL return. Then there WILL be lasting peace, and then you won’t be able to GIVE your weapons away. Oh, what a day that will be!