The Good News proclaimed by Jesus is not about reforming fallen societies or fixing corrupt governments however much this statement may contradict what we hear from popular preachers. His Gospel summons men to repent and join an entirely new and vastly different social and political order, namely, the Kingdom of God, and its ways are fundamentally incompatible with the ideologies, practices, and values of the existing world.
Responding positively to this summons
is vital not only for the church but also for the larger world, especially considering
the approaching end of the age when the existing order will cease to exist. The
New Testament envisions the coming radical transformation of the Universe, and not
just small temporary fixes here and there to a system that is enslaved to sin
and under the dominion of Satan.
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This transformation will occur when the Church completes its mission of proclaiming the Gospel to every nation. God’s transforming “power and wisdom” are found in the proclamation of a Crucified Messiah, not the barrel of a gun or material wealth – (Matthew 24:14, 1 Corinthians 1:17-21).
The preaching of the Gospel will
culminate in the resurrection of the dead, the consummation of the Kingdom of
God, total victory over the “last enemy, death,” and the arrival of the
“New Heavens and the New Earth.” All this will occur when Jesus returns
“on the clouds of Heaven,” gathers his “elect,” and judges the
nations – (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).
Unfortunately, Satan has succeeded
far too often in misdirecting the Church and corrupting the Gospel with ideas like
‘Christendom,’ “Christian nation,” and even ‘American Christendom.’ Rather than
a forward-looking hope of salvation for all men and women, “Christianity” becomes
watered down and is little more than another social group with a political
agenda.
Unlike the political operatives
in many of our pulpits, Jesus dispatched his disciples to proclaim this Good
News to all the nations of the Earth. As he declared before his Ascension, “All
authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me, therefore, go and make
disciples of ALL nations.” His Gospel is the only world-changing message that
all men must hear. There is no life, truth, justice, or access to God apart
from Jesus of Nazareth.
KING AND MESSIAH
Just before his ascension, Jesus commanded his
followers to tarry in Jerusalem until they “received power when the Holy
Spirit came upon them.” Thereafter, they would be “his witnesses
in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to
the uttermost part of the earth” - (Acts 1:7-9).
The last clause is derived from the Second
Psalm and its vision of the anointed Son of God ruling over the Earth. His reign
began following his resurrection and ascension - “Ask of me, and
I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your
possession” – (Psalm 2:7-8 – Emphasis added).
As Abraham’s heir, he inherited the Earth and
all its nations, and he now sends his heralds to announce his reign and offer
his salvation to one and all. This process will culminate in the bodily
resurrection of the dead and the New Creation. The salvation proclaimed by
Jesus and his Apostles is about redemption, not abandonment. The Gospel is
not an otherworldly escape plan.
The Apostle Paul declared that the “righteousness of God” is received through faith in Jesus by all who believe, both Jew and Greek. With God, “there is no distinction” or “respect of person.” Everyone stands or falls before Him on the same basis.
Sin is the Great Leveler that places
every man and woman in the same awful predicament, both Jews and Gentiles alike.
All have sinned; therefore, all will die in the end. One’s nationality, social
status, or economic position has no bearing on his or her standing before the
Judge of all the Earth. What matters is repentance and faith in Jesus. For
those who respond positively to the Gospel, death will not have the final say.
FROM FAITH
Every man and woman who responds to the
Gospel in faith is set right before God on the same basis, whether Jew
or Gentile, rich or poor, male or female, and that is from the faith of
Jesus. There is no basis for human self-confidence “since all have
sinned and lack the glory of God.” The sinner can either reject the offer of
salvation or embrace it with faith in what God has done through Jesus - (Romans
3:22-30).
Paul appealed to his monotheistic faith to
support this proposition - “Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of
Gentiles also, since God is one and will justify the circumcised from faith and
the uncircumcised through faith.” The one “God and Father of Jesus
Christ” is the God and Creator of all men and women. No man is advantaged
or disadvantaged before Him because of ethnicity or gender – (Colossians
3:9-11).
In Jesus, God is creating a new humanity
and a very different “Kingdom,” a people composed of men and women from
every nation, people, and culture. What they all have in common is the “faith
of Jesus Christ.” That is the one “border” and dividing line that matters.
The announcement of this salvation is one
message, and it is intended for all men and every nation. The
primary task of his Church is to proclaim this message until he appears “on
the clouds of Heaven” - (Matthew 24:14).
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| [Photo by Stripe Media on Unsplash] |
The day is coming when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish from the Earth. Sin, Satan, disease, injustice, and death will be eliminated forever. This victory will coincide with the “arrival” of Jesus when he resurrects the righteous dead, vanquishes “death” itself, rewards his faithful followers, judges the wicked, and ushers in the final reign of God in all its grandeur - (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Everyone who hears and responds in faith to
the Gospel will receive salvation and everlasting life. Those who reject His
gracious offer will reap something far less pleasant. In the meantime, Christians
must decide whether they will serve His Kingdom or the existing world order.
RELATED POSTS:
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- Only Some Nations? - (Is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God a message of hope for only SOME nations, or is it Good News for all nations and peoples?)
- Stand Fast in the Tradition - (To avoid deception and apostasy believers must cling to the apostolic traditions)