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Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36 (ESV)

The Jews were looking for a Messiah who would establish a political kingdom (John 6:15). Their hopes were that this Messiah would institute a kingdom free of Roman rule. Even after preaching and demonstrating the kingdom for years with his disciples looking on, they still asked him just before his ascension, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” To which Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. (Acts 1:6-7) Jesus knew that his kingdom did not originate on earth (John 18:36). Continue reading →

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In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2 (ESV)

John the Baptist came as “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” (Matthew 3:3 ESV) He was aware that there was one coming after him who would usher in a new kind of kingdom rule on earth. Speaking of Jesus, John told the Pharisees and Sadducees, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:11-12 ESV) Continue reading →

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“God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper; and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.”

Jonathan Edwards

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“What I am anxious to see in Christian believers is a beautiful paradox. I want to see in them the joy of finding God while at the same time they are blessedly pursuing Him. I want to see in them the great joy of having God yet always wanting Him.”

A.W. Tozer

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Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30 ESV)

Jesus told his disciples that he was going away, but he made them a promise to come again. He said, In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2-3 ESV) At Jesus’ ascension two men in white apparel made this announcement, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11 ESV) Many New Testament epistles affirm the return of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7; 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 3:12; 1 John 2:28). Continue reading →