OceanSide church of Christ

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THE MOST MAGNIFICENT KINGDOM EVER

Victor M. Eskew

 

            Since the dawn of time, there have been many great kingdoms that have risen upon the world stage.  In the days of Moses, Egypt was the envy of the world.  Babylon was a powerful kingdom in the days of Daniel.  While Jesus walked the earth, Rome was the world power.  Today, kingdoms like China, Russia, and the United States are viewed as leading nations of the world.

            In Daniel 2:44, the prophet predicted the coming of a kingdom.  It was not going to be just another great power.  It would be the most magnificent kingdom ever.  “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:  and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”  This kingdom that Daniel saw long before it came into being was the kingdom of God.  Again, this would be the most magnificent kingdom ever.  There are many reasons why it can be described as “the most magnificent.”

            First, it is the most magnificent because of the King who rules over it.  Its King is Jesus Christ the Son of God.  Jesus is not just “another” king.  He is “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (I Tim. 6:15).  Sadly, there are some who do not believe that Jesus is ruling over His kingdom at this present time.  Paul, however, refutes this false belief.  In I Corinthians 15:25-26, he writes:  “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”  Jesus will reign over His kingdom till death is conquered by means of the resurrection of the dead. 

            Second, the kingdom of God is the most magnificent kingdom because it is a spiritual kingdom, not a physical kingdom.  Jesus spoke of His kingdom in John 18:36 while in conversation with Pontius Pilate.  He said:  “My kingdom is not of this world:  if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews:  but now is my kingdom not from hence.”  Jesus NEVER intended to establish a physical kingdom on earth.  He intended to build a spiritual kingdom, a kingdom that involves the hearts and minds of men and women.  Listen again to the words of the Christ.  “…The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:  neither shall they say, Lo here!  Or, lo there!  For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21).  The kingdom of Christ is not limited to a certain parcel of land.  The kingdom of Christ operates all over the world.  It is on all seven continents.  It can encompass the world because it is spiritual and not physical in nature.

            Third, the kingdom of God is magnificent because of its mission.  Physical kingdoms usually have two goals in mind:  power and the acquisition of more territory over which to rule.  The goal of the kingdom of God is vastly different.  It has salvation from sin and freedom from the enslavement of Satan as its mission.  The battle is against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12).  The battle is for the souls of lost men and women.  The blood of Christ and the truth of the gospel are the forces used against the enemy.  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death” (Rev. 12:11).

            Fourth, the kingdom of heaven is great because it invites all men and women to become citizens of it.  Isaiah saw this kingdom long before it came into existence as well.  In Isaiah 2:2-3, he describes the great influx that will come into the kingdom.  “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:  for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”  Isaiah said:  “All nations shall flow unto it.”  He also said:  “Many people shall go and say, Come ye, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.”  When this kingdom was brought into existence on Pentecost Day in the city of Jerusalem, Isaiah’s prophecy rang true.  Thousands and thousands of people obeyed the gospel and were cleansed by the blood of Christ.  In Acts 10, the Gentiles began to enter the kingdom.  Great multitudes were translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col. 1:13).  Today, any accountable individual can enter the kingdom.  The only condition to enter therein is the new birth.  “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 5).

            Fifth, the kingdom of Christ is magnificent because it will last forever.  Physical kingdoms have come and gone.  Egypt is no longer a world power.  Babylon eventually came tumbling down.  Rome no longer dominates the world.  The old Soviet Union crumbled in defeat.  This will never happen to the kingdom of Christ.  It is a kingdom that will stand forever.  Jesus said that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18).  When all of the kingdoms of this world are gone when the heavens and earth perish with fire when the Lord returns, the kingdom of Christ will remain.  All those who are members of it will be ushered into heavenly realms wherein they will dwell throughout eternity.

            The kingdom of Christ is a magnificent kingdom.  In fact, it is the most magnificent kingdom ever.  If you are a member of this kingdom, you should count yourself as most fortunate.  You should express your gratitude by living as a faithful citizen of the kingdom of God every day of your life.  If you are not a member of the Lord’s kingdom, you need to become serious about becoming a citizen.  If you will submit to the demands of the Spirit of God found in the New Testament and be immersed in water for the remission of your sins, you will be “added” (Acts 2:47), “set” (I Cor. 12:18), and “translated” (Col. 1:18) into the magnificent kingdom of God.  You will be saved from sin and free from the tyranny of the evil one.  Heaven will be your ultimate hope.