And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14

We have been thinking for some weeks now about the new thing on the earth, “The Kingdom of God.”  Ancient Jewish prophesies point to this day.  The Kingdom is now a reality and open to all who believe.  Because of the life, death, resurrection and teaching of Jesus Christ, we are invited to enter that kingdom. I can barely take that in.

My mind tells me that there are many kingdoms of the earth, each claiming our allegiance.  One thing marks them all, they all eventually fade into oblivion.  I live in the United States of America, a strong state with the most powerful armed forces ever mustered.  It is tempting, even for Christian believers in this land, to somehow convince ourselves that our national kingdom will endure forever.   If we are not careful we find that we begin to think that our secular nation is the true picture of the reign of God on the earth.

I am not disparaging our political dreams but I find the Spirit of the Lord helping me to realize that no matter how societies try to be Godly, they reflect only some of the aspects of the Kingdom of God and of Jesus, the Savior.  The Kingdom of God will be here after all earthly kingdoms cease.  The door into that Kingdom is open to all who will believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  Are we in that Kingdom?  If so, how does that shape our entire lives?

“The gospel of the kingdom.”  We might say, “The Good News of the Kingdom of God.”  It is now to be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nation.”  Emphasis is on the “now.”  Jesus won salvation for all who will believe – Jews, Gentiles, whoever.  “All” can be saved.  Preach this Gospel now!

Having won the victory that made it possible for all mankind to be saved, Jesus turns to all those who follow Him and leaves them with a simple but awesome task, “Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to all nations.”  That is it!  Then “the end will come.”

All heaven turns the ear to hear the saved ones preach the Good News that invites all people of every culture, in all times, to follow Jesus Christ.

Is this the center of my message?  Is this what I teach and preach?  Is this the center of my thought and life?  I come up short.  There are so many other good things to preach so if I am not careful I neglect the heart of the matter, the coming of the Kingdom of God among us.