LIVING IN THE KINGDOM – NOW!

ISAIAH 9:6-7: “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.”

OBSERVATION: There is a coming day when Jesus Christ will return to set up His Millennial Kingdom and rule over Jerusalem in peace. This will be the fulfillment of God’s promise to David and the nation of Israel. It is a day that Isaiah looks toward prophetically as he writes these verses.

Following this rule there will be one final uprising of mankind against the Kingdom of God (Revelation 20). It is then that Jesus will usher in the New Heavens and the New Earth and all struggle, all sin, all death, will be vanquished forever.

• “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

Today, we find ourselves between the unveiling of the promise of the coming of Jesus Christ as the suffering Messiah and the return of Jesus Christ as the conquering King. How do we live in this interim period? Do we have to wait for the fulfillment of all end-time prophecies to live in the glory and the splendor of His Kingdom?

The wonderful truth is that we can live fully in the revelation of Jesus Christ now through the Holy Spirit. As we come to Christ, as we surrender our lives to Him, we see Him as our Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Eternal Father, and the Prince of Peace.

We live in His Kingdom as we abide in Him. We too look forward to a New Heaven and a New Earth. Yet, we do not wait for that day to begin enjoying the wonders of eternal life and the abundant life He gives us through the Holy Spirit. Each day we live with one foot in heaven and one on the earth. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Perhaps this is what Paul was thinking when he wrote,

• “Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

As I read the words from Isaiah this morning I find myself doing two things. I find myself humming the wonderful “Hallelujah Chorus,” and I find myself looking up. I sense a prodding of my heart to begin to live in the Kingdom now as I await its fulfillment in the future. My life is His. I have been crucified with Chris. Nevertheless, I live and I live seated with Christ in heavenly places!

Lord, open my eyes to see You in Your power and Your glory. Help me to live in the fullness of Your presence and promises now as I look forward to the fulfillment of Your presence and promises to come!

In Jesus’ Name!