This morning, while laying in bed, spending time with God, worshiping and pondering spiritual matters, the thought “to what do we live our lives” came up. The answer to that should be easy, but in reality, if many of us answer honestly, we would end up with the wrong answer. What is the correct answer?
What is the end game here? That is, when this life is over, what do we expect? Often it is taught that we will go to heaven and party forever, never again to battle the issues of the flesh, it will just be a glorious time of carnal life. What, did I say “Carnal”? Yes, when you look at it, that is often what people believe, that we will kick back in our huge mansion and just have fun for all of eternity. But is that what will happen? Think, we will not longer have a fleshly, carnal mind, so why would we be fulfilling fleshly carnal desires?
Let us look a little deeper. First the Lord comes and we are changed into glorified bodies just like Yeshua, that body will never be sick, feel pain, or ever grow old, it will be perfect. My studies lead me to believe that Yeshua will come for His believers at the beginning of what is called the “Tribulation” and take us home for seven years until the end of this age has been accomplished here on earth. At which time, all of us will come back with Yeshua to bring the fullness of Yeshua’s Kingdom physically here on earth to continue for a bit over 1,000 years. After that, there will be a final war and this earth and heavens will be destroyed by fire. Then there will be the final judgment of God and for those that are not in the Lamb’s book of life (those not redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb), will be sent to the lake of fire. At that time, a new heaven and earth will appear and the Holy city shall be brought upon it were we will dwell with God.
All of what is described above is really the continuance of the Kingdom of God. His Kingdom has always been, just like God. He has always had a Kingdom (where the King exists so does His kingdom) and it will always continue. God did not just begin when He created our world and universe, He has ALWAYS been and thus so has His Kingdom.
Wrap you brain around this one if you can, God NEVER had a “First works”, He has always been and His works, like His Kingdom have always been. Yeah, ouch, that hurts the brain to try to comprehend, but maybe our finite minds do not have the ability to truly comprehend “eternal” and this is why many have a problem understanding a God that is “eternal”. What many people fail to understand is that there has to be something which is “eternal” (has always been and will always be) and is without change (change is related to time and this eternal something would have to be outside the realm of time, you can find more on this at http://theawakening.com/Articles/ I_AM_An_Explanation_of_Existence.aspx ).
Okay, so we know that God’s Kingdom has always been, it is eternal, but what is it like? We have very little Scripture that I know of which describes it. But we know there is “order” and “responsibility”. The term “Kingdom” implies “Rule” which also implies “Structure” and with that would be “responsibilities”.
Rev 4:10 the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying, …
There are “elders” which shows there is “order”. Do you really think that after we have been trained to work and rule, we will go to heaven and live fleshly lives, given to nothing but whatever pleasures us? God has made us for far greater things than that. There is a Kingdom and we are all part of that Kingdom and each one of us has a role. Why should that stop?
During that 1,000 plus years we will be here on earth with Yeshua. Here is a picture of how our lives now, at this time, will effect our lives then:
Luk 19:10-27 ~ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Do you see the picture, “to receive for Himself a Kingdom”, “Occupy till I come”? He has given us everything, we have the fullness of the Kingdom of God backing us and the “money” we are entrusted with is the “Gospel, our salvation”. In what is known as The Great Commission:
Mat 28:18-20 ~ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
This tells us there is work now to be done. Why are we still here? Why did He not just start the 1,000 plus year Kingdom right then instead of leaving for almost 2,000 years? It is that the fullness of the world would come unto Him. There is supposedly more people alive at this time than there was in all of history past put together. These people are the Lamb’s reward for all He endured for us. Every time you look at someone in church, think, you are most likely looking at a citizen of the Kingdom of God, a reward to the Lamb. Let us take this one step further, the next time you see a stranger at the store or out on the street, think to yourself this could also be a reward for the Lamb, if they get the chance to hear the Gospel, if they have people praying for them, if…
The point is simply, we should live our lives for the Glory of the Lamb. This should be the focus, not trying to get ahead in life, not trying to get another car or new house when the ones we have are fine, not to satisfy all our fleshly desires, but to be busy working in the Kingdom of God. There will be a test ;)
Back to the Kingdom, do not get me wrong, I am not saying our work will be like toiling during the 1,000 plus year Kingdom on this earth or in heaven as we have done here in the flesh. Our work should be our pleasure. Yes, that sounds good, but sweeping floors is a lot like toil. Well, it is if you are doing it with the focus of making a living. But if you look at it as a place where God has placed you to show His light, then maybe the work is a bit different. Remember:
Col 3:22-25 ~ Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Eph 6:5-9 ~ Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
There may be a purpose for where you are at. Back some time ago there was an island filled with over 3,000 slaves and the owner in charge would not allow any ministers to come to tell them about God. So two young men, sold themselves into a lifetime slavery and used the money to pay their way to the island only to take the Good News to those slaves. As the ship sailed away, with their loved ones on the shore, they could be heard saying “May the Lamb that was Slain receive the reward of His sufferings”. Is there any kind of passion for God in us like that?
Steven Baldwin was reached by such a type of service. They hired a woman from another country to be a worker for them in their house. Little did they know that she was there working for them, not for the salary she would be paid, but her heart was that she may reach them with the Good News. And Glory to God, that is just what happened!
Remember this also:
Mat 6:25-33 ~ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Our only purpose here is to further the Kingdom of God. He has empowered us, but we do not use that power. He has equipped us, but we do not use those tools. He has command us, but..
The Kingdom of the Lord is here now, we do not have to wait until the Lord returns:
Mat 16:28 ~ Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Mar 9:1 ~ And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
Luk 9:27 ~ But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
Col 1:12-14 ~ Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
1Pe 2:9-12 ~ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
This is only a sample, but you get the point, the Kingdom is NOW, not just in the future. Right now, they Kingdom is in you and where you are there is the Kingdom. You have the power of creation within you, “Christ in you, the hope of Glory”. If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit is right there in you. Yeshua commanded us to spread this Kingdom all over the world. Not by ruling as a government commanding people, but by a conversion of their spirit, by the new birth. The Kingdom of God is not focused on what we own, but upon those that God owns!
We have over 6,700,000,000 people out there! Should not the Lamb of God have His Reward? It is time to bring in the harvest. It is time for use to discover our place in the Kingdom and get about the work.
All of us with the common goal, “May the Lamb that was Slain receive the reward of His sufferings”!
There is a lot about the Kingdom which I do not have the time to share at this moment, but will write more later.
You might look over these past posts which are related to this one:
http://www.thesaintsinlight.com/post/2008/10/Be-not-conformedhellip3b.aspx
http://www.thesaintsinlight.com/post/2009/01/Reasonable-Service.aspx
http://www.thesaintsinlight.com/post/2008/08/What-time-is-YOUR-wake-up-alarm-set.aspx
http://www.thesaintsinlight.com/post/2007/02/The-Shout-of-Joy!.aspx
http://www.thesaintsinlight.com/post/2009/01/How-great-is-our-God--Ponder-that-question!.aspx
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