The Kingdom Is Near

When it comes to long and exhaustive work, a business trip or even working through lunch, we look forward to hearing the whistle blow, signaling the end of our work day so we can finally go home.

The same can be said for the time we spend here for our deployment. Spending nine months to one-year away from our families surrounded by concertina wire and guard towers is tough, so we are focused on the “exact day” when this will be over and we can go home.

Anticipation. We look forward to the time of joy of reuniting with our family. We look forward to the end of our separations to celebrate being back with those we love most and enjoying the comforts of our own home.

If there is one thing we all know is just how good it feels to pull into the drive way and, with a collective sigh, say, “we’re home.” Speaking of “home,” as Christians, have we set our hearts and prepared ourselves for living eternally in the Kingdom of God? I realize everyone wishes to live a long and fulfilling life on earth, but do we live our lives in preparation for our true home in Heaven?

After all, we’ve heard it said many times, “this world is not our home.” Jesus, when answering Pilate, said in John 18:36, “…My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

We are, as Peter stated, in 1 Peter 2:11, “aliens and exiles” in this world. But, Sometimes it seems like we get this concept backwards. Some live as if earth is their original home and heaven is “just that place they go” after they die. We must always fight to keep our eternal focus while living on this earth in this finite world.

Yes, we still have our duties and our responsibilities of living our earthly life. We would be foolish to forsake them because we must work for a living, provide for our family, and be accountable for all that we do.

What I am saying is that the things of our lives must be adjusted and put in their proper Priority. Our Top priority should be based off the bold answer Jesus gave his mother as a young boy in the Temple in Luke2:49, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

We must be about the “Father’s Business.” We have the calling of doing “Kingdom work” while here in this life. We find the proper balance between earthly and kingdom duties because we already know there is plenty to do.

I think this is why Jesus said in verse 2 “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”There will always be a challenge to keep our competing interests of the world from superseding our work for the kingdom as Jesus noted that “the laborers are few.” He knows our human nature to procrastinate and make excuses.

Don’t ever lose sight of your main purpose in this life. We have the amazing privilege and obligation to help build the kingdom of God. We have the great responsibility to proclaim the same message “The kingdom of God is near.”

Romans 10:13-15, For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

When Jesus said “The Kingdom is near “he was literally saying that we are presented with the opportunity of salvation in Jesus Christ. The call is urgent: “now” is the time to make your decision to respond to the Gospel.

The Good News of Jesus Christ is being offered TO the world on a continual basis in every language as well as the printed word, service, missions, technology and every form of Media. The Gospel is given in such a way there is absolutely no way to miss it.

We must faithfully proclaim the message that Salvation is found in no other name, but Jesus Christ. In Acts 4:12, it says “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” We must pick up our cross and follow the lead of our Savior. We are responsible for proclaiming the Gospel.

We must not feel like a failure if some reject this wonderful message. We must never fear persecution or allow threats and intimidation to prevent us from living out and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.