A Reflection on Adversity: Part 6 (Last) – Because The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand

The Heavens Declare

I once asked a friend, who was briskly asserting his political views, “Do you know what the most perfect form of government is?”  He looked at me, curious.  “Monarchy,” I said.  He smiled and choked back a disbelieving laugh – more like a grunt.

There are very few topics that can incite human passion as quickly as does politics.  Dozens of labels are bandied about – Liberal, Conservative, Independent, Leftist, Progressive, Socialist, Communist, and on it goes – and you could probably add a few more.

Demonizing the label of your opponent becomes a major activity of the rhetoric of politics.  During election seasons it becomes increasingly frustrating to most of the people I talk with.  But, if the Bible’s metaphors and Christ’s teachings have any strength at all they stand firmly for the proposition that Christians are, indeed, headed for a monarchy, variously called the kingdom of God, or the kingdom of heaven.

A full exploration of what the Bible teaches us about this kingdom would take much more than a simple reflection (you might want to read Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven, for a thought-provoking journey through this topic).  By my informal count, some version of the word, kingdom, is used over 340 times in the Bible, with 150 of those instances occurring in the New Testament.  According to  Matthew’s account, John the Baptist preached in the wilderness that, “the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 3:1 NIV).  Following John’s imprisonment, Jesus began preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt. 4:17; Mk. 1:15 NIV).

Many years ago I came to realize that this call to repentance was meant for me, and that I had to turn away from trying to be a good guy; trying to be good enough.  Some would say, “I just follow the Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12).  Or, the Ten Commandments, you know?  I think I’ll be okay.”  I suppose that would work if those rules could be followed, but I couldn’t do it – I had been coveting since I rolled out of the cradle.  No, I needed rescue from my self-directed, self-focused life.

Eventually, it dawned on me that repentance was not just about being sorry for my faults, failures, and sins, although that was the starting point.  It was about turning away from dependence upon myself.  But, how could I do that unless there was someone else to depend upon?  I found that person in Jesus, the One who had come to provide the only way for me to be included in God’s kingdom.  Like the passengers in the bus, in C. S. Lewis’s book, The Great Divorce, entering the kingdom of heaven means the giving up of the assertion of one’s rights, personal accomplishments, and self-reliance – impossible to do outside of the empowerment of Christ.  Ephesians 2:8-9 became real to me, kind of a Martin Luther-style epiphany, and I finally took hold of this marvelous gift of God.

I came to understand that the kingdom of heaven that Jesus spoke of requires a selfless and eternal view of everything that happens on earth, including my life, with all of my desires, hopes, dreams, and anxieties.  That kingdom comes to me through Christ, who gifts it to me as my eternal inheritance (Romans 11).  So, when I ask the “Why?” question, I know He is saying to me, “Because, Bill, not only has your timeline been plotted, but I have provided a Redeemer to take care of that sin problem.  Through the Holy Spirit I have planted my kingdom within you.  I have also prepared an eternal home for you in My heavenly kingdom.  My eternal plan includes a role for you (for everyone who chooses this pathway), and I will take care of you, both now and forever.  When the path is rough and strewn with adversities, and you stumble and perhaps fall, I will carry you through it all.”  Take a look at Deut. 33:26-27a sometime – one of my favorite passages in the Bible for its exquisite imagery and promise.

Well, this discussion could go on and on, and we could probe many additional responses to the question of “Why?”  For me, it is enough to know that God is sovereign over all and that someday I will enjoy the gladness of Christ’s presence, face to face.  Until that day, I know that the kingdom is close at hand and that He is my King.  His new kingdom will come like a flash of lightning out of a clear blue sky (Luke 17:22-24), no politics needed.

In His strength, to His honor, and for His glory

Bill

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