Unlimited: The Kingdom of Heaven is Not Just a Future Hope
Jan 25, 2017 1223
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10, NLT)
Jesus told a story about ten young ladies who were invited to a wedding (Matt 25:1–13). Five of them only focused on the future wedding, and the other five were also focused on what they needed to be doing right now.
The five who were focused on the future didn’t bring enough oil for their lamps while they waited. The other five were just as excited about the wedding, but their joy spilt over into their present, so that they remembered to bring enough oil. The Bridegroom surprised them all!
There’s a kind of Christian who is always miserable and gloomy, and all that they do is look forward to the better times that God will bring. Some of them try to trace out every detail of Bible prophecy, to work out exactly how the end will come. But the Bridegroom will surprise us all.
Jesus has promised us that things will be better in the future. But if that’s all we have, and we are just waiting in misery for that day, then we are like those girls without oil.
The Kingdom of Heaven is not alone a future hope, but a present reality. Only those who live profitably and joyfully in Christ’s Kingdom now will ever come to see the Kingdom of Glory. – Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: What is your perspective as a Christian? Are you enjoying Christ’s Kingdom blessings now, or is your focus more not gritting your teeth and holding on for someone beyond the grave? Make a list of a few of the things that are holding you back from enjoying Christ’s kingdom blessings today. Then think: Is there a promise in the Bible that deals with it? Is that promise a reality in your own life? If not, why not?
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