Even something so "simple" as The Lord's Prayer that we routinely teach our children has in it a perhaps puzzling reference to something called the kingdom of God:
What does this mean:
Matt 6:10 Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven . . .
13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.]’
Clearly, God is here seen as a king as well as our Father: Creator-Sustainer and Lord, whose will is done in heaven but not fully on a sinful earth. As Creator-Sustainer, we ask for daily bread, and as Lord we ask for his will to be done here, which reflects the coming of his kingdom on earth. In the midst, we ask for forgiveness and promise to in turn forgive others. We ask for deliverance from the snares of the evil one. And more.
Clearly, already in the most common single Christian prayer there is a theology of the kingdom of God and of our part in it as penitent sinners. Where, obviously, Jesus as Messiah and Saviour is the key means of forgiveness and transformation; starting in our own surrendered hearts and lives.
Obviously, there is much more, and sometimes I have used the seven mountain model to speak to basic discipleship for penitent sinners, given the six first ABC foundational principles of Heb 6:1 - 2 and the backdrop of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of God's eternal kingdom and its impact on the kingdoms of man in Dan 2 [cf. also here], all of which clearly fit into the framework in that prayer:
Daniel went on to interpret:
Dan 2:36 “This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation.
37 You,
O king, are the king of [earthly] kings, to whom the God of heaven has
given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory; 38 and
wherever the sons of men dwell, and the beasts of the field, and the
birds of the heavens, He has given them into your hand and has made you
ruler over them all.
You [king of Babylon] are the head of gold.
Medo-Persia and Greece
39 After
you will arise another kingdom (Medo-Persia) inferior to you, and then a
third kingdom of bronze (Greece under Alexander the Great), which will
rule over all the earth.
Rome
40 Then
a fourth kingdom (Rome) will be strong as iron, for iron breaks to
pieces and shatters all things; and like iron which crushes things in
pieces, it will break and crush all these [others]. 41 And
as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of
iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will be in it some of the
durability and strength of iron, just as you saw the iron mixed with common clay. 42 As the [ten] toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so some of the kingdom will be strong, and another part of it will be brittle.
43 And
as you saw the iron mixed with common clay, so they will combine with
one another in the seed of men; but they will not merge [for such
diverse things or ideologies cannot unite], even as iron does not mix
with clay.
The Divine Kingdom
44 In
the days of those [final ten] kings the God of heaven will set up a
kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be left
for another people; but it will crush and put an end to all these
kingdoms, and it will stand forever.
45 Just
as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and
that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold,
the great God has revealed to the king what will take place in the
future; so the dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.” [AMP]
As Hebrews 12 therefore teaches (and warns):
Heb 12:22 But
you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering], 23 and
to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are
registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to God, who is Judge of all, and
to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been
made perfect [bringing them to their final glory], 24 and
to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant [uniting God and man], and to
the sprinkled blood, which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].
25 See
to it that you do not refuse [to listen to] Him who is speaking [to you
now]. For if those [sons of Israel] did not escape when they refused
[to listen to] him who warned them on earth [revealing God’s will], how
much less will we escape if we turn our backs on Him who warns from heaven?
26 His voice shook the earth [at Mount Sinai] then, but now He has given a promise, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the [starry] heaven.”
27 Now this [expression], “Yet once more,” indicates the removal and
final transformation of all those things which can be shaken—that is,
of that which has been created—so that those things which cannot be
shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is [indeed] a consuming fire. [AMP]
So, now, let us look at what is needed for "unshakeable" foundations:
Likewise, this coming of the kingdom so that God's good will is done on earth extends to the community in light of what has sometimes been called the four R's of revival and reformation:
From such, we can already see that the kingdom of God is central to the theology of the gospel, which is in fact the good news of the kingdom of God pivoting on the coming of the long-prophesied Messiah. It is in this light that an amnesty of forgiveness and promise of cleansing transformation has been proclaimed as the answer to the chaos of kingdoms of man that too often are caught up in a chaotic, destructive demonic riot of the world, the flesh and the devil. Thus, too, we find that gospel theology and gospel ethics are inseparable and in their natural course extend to community transformation as even now we begin to do the right under God: Christ came, descending, serving, dying, rising and ascending in order to fill all things, where the church is his body, the very fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Similarly, we are clearly being led to the book of Daniel, which seems to have in it some key references.
Accordingly, as we ponder the gospel and the kingdom of God, I now want to share some slightly adjusted thoughts I shared yesterday in a WhatsApp group, as I explored the captioned themes:
________________________
>>As I continue thinking about the Kingdom of God perspective on the
gospel, linked ethics and relevance to community transformation
(implying that true liberation is first spiritual), I am led back to
Daniel.
Here, to
Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony after he was humbled by God because of
undue pride in his achievements as king.
Pardon, therefore, a
further sharing of thoughts – towards elements of a Biblical
theology of evangelisation, discipleship, mission; thus of
repentance, renewal, revival and reformation in our region and
beyond:
Daniel 4: >>34 “But at the end of the days [that is, at
the seven periods of time [→ of his beast-like insanity]], I,
Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my understanding
and reason returned to me; and I blessed the Most High [God]
and I praised and honored and glorified Him who lives forever,
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion [→ God as eternal
ruler];
And His kingdom endures from generation to
generation.
[→ realm of that rule, in context, extending over Babylon and
other human kingdoms]
35 “All the inhabitants of the
earth are regarded as nothing.
But He does according to His will
in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth [→
sovereignty of God pointing to Judge and redeemer];
And no one can hold back His hand
Or say to Him, ‘What have
You done?’
36 Now at the same time my reason
returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and
splendor were returned to me, and my counselors and my nobles began
seeking me out; so I was re-established in my kingdom, and still more
greatness [than before] was added to me.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise
and exalt and honor the King of heaven [→ kingdom of Heaven],
for all His works are true and faithful and His ways are
just [→ inherently good, utterly wise, Judge],
and He is able to humiliate and humble [→ acts against
arrogance]
those who walk in [self-centered, self-righteous]
pride.” [AMP]>>
At once, we see that God is king of the
eternal kingdom of heaven that intervenes in the affairs of men.
Indeed, from v 32, the lesson Nebuchadnezzar needed to heed was that
“the Most High God rules over the kingdom of mankind and He bestows
it on whomever He desires.”
This, of course, cuts clean across certain common notions of our
day which are now being pushed hard in our region (and which would
end in a chaotic Rom 1 world).
For example, in the course of his ruling that attempts to usurp
power to unilaterally amend a constitution from the judge’s bench,
Justice Anthony Smellie of the Cayman Islands recently claimed that many inequities have existed in the
name of tradition but neither tradition nor religion could form the
“rational basis for a law.” He then proceeds to try to
redefine marriage chaotically, away from the naturally evident
creation order rooted in the complementary sexes, substituting the
false for the true and implying perversion of rights, justice and
judgement.
Similarly, in its ill-advised August 2, 2019 Editorial, the
Gleaner dismissed “emaciated notions of morality,” directly
implying Jesus’ teachings in Matt 19:4 – 6 regarding the
naturally evident, creation order based institutions of maleness,
femaleness, lifelong committed marriage of man and woman, family as
the natural fruit of conjugal union. They inadvertently reveal that
to advance a dubious agenda they would overturn the moral government
that is the basis for a sound civilisation and its government. Such
signs point to the ill-advised, ruinous counsel that now rises up on
the ship of state at Fair Havens, across our region. (See Ac 27.)
Others have said much the same.
There is also, a Christo-phobia, an irrational fear that perceives the Christian
faith, the gospel, gospel ethics and godly reformation as backward,
oppressive, outright fascist threats to progress, freedom and reason.
(I have even recently seen an evolutionary materialist scientism
advocate assert that “Creationists” cannot do Math because they
are utterly irrational, shown by their rejection of “Evolution.”
Which is widely regarded as the yardstick of science. This is doubly
nonsense as first many “Creationists” are effective
Mathematicians, thank you. Secondly, this is a bit of turnabout
propagandistic projection: in fact, demonstrably, evolutionary
materialism would reduce mindedness to computation on a brain
“wetware” computer and whatever mysteriously emerges from but is
determined by the physics and chemistry involved. That is exactly
what rational insight, intuition, intentionality and inference CANNOT
be. That is, evolutionary materialism is self-referential and
self-contradictory thus self-falsifying. Thus, utterly, irretrievably
irrational. Never mind the impressive lab coats, polished manner and
posh accents.)
No, instead we recognise that we are creatures of the God who is
inherently good and utterly wise.
Indeed, as LOGOS, he is Reason Himself, upholding all things by
his powerful word. As creatures made in his image we have the
precious gift of conscience-guided reason leading to ability to know
and serve the truth and the right. Accordingly, in the spirit of Ac17, let us see: the first point of wisdom is to know and respect our
Creator God, the inherently good, necessary, maximally great being
who is the root-source of reality. In him we live, move and have our
being, with our minds being governed by undeniable duty to truth,
right reason, sound conscience, neighbour-love, justice, etc. He is
our rightful eternal king, worthy of our loyalty and of the
reasonable, responsible service of doing the good that accords with
our evident nature.
Such a view is just the opposite of being backward, irrational,
unjust, oppressive.
It is time that that devillish lie be ferreted out and skewered.
Yes, the history of Christendom (like that of any civilisation) is
decidedly mixed, with great evils and – notably – great struggles
of reformation. Often, directly based on Scripture. For example, it
is no accident that the Motto of the antislavery society directly
comes from Philemon in the NT: “Am I not a man and a brother?”
(Sometimes, even more tellingly, “ . . . a woman and a sister?”)
Civilisation’s course will ever be so.
For, we are finite, fallible, fallen, morally struggling, too
often ill-willed.
Likewise, in the great liberating struggle that launched the first
successful modern democratic, constitutional experiment, we find in
the key second paragraph of their Declaration of Independence, July
4th, 1776:
>>We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments
are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent
of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes
destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or
to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation
on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them
shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established
should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly
all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer,
while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the
forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses
and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design
to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is
their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards
for their future security. >>
Notice, self-evident moral government focussed on rights. By
implications, nations are under God our Creator and supreme Lord who
is Just Judge. Governments are created by covenants under God, to
defend justice; by implication the due balance of rights, freedoms
and duties in community. Where a fundamental right is a binding moral
claim to be respected and protected in some regard, implying the duty
of others. Thus, to justly claim a right, one must first manifestly
be in the right, which cannot call for others to do or enable wrong
to support oneself.
Where also, government can fail; perhaps badly enough to require
radical reform or replacement. This BTW is a main reason for the
blessing of the peaceful general election: a solemn assembly of the
people under God to audit and if needs be reform or replace
government. Thus, not to be trifled with and perverted into
manipulating the people to vote for a voyage of reckless folly (as we
see in Ac 27). Those who rise up as an alternative have a solemn duty
under God.
Yes, there is an ages-long struggle between the wrong and the
right, the false and the true.
But there is no reason whatsoever to assume that the Christian
Faith and its adherents who take the Bible seriously as God’s Word,
are always and forever backward oppressors.
No, that is part of why it is GOOD NEWS that the Most High God
lives forever, exerting an everlasting dominion, the kingdom of God.
Where, in love, he intervened, bringing salvation and deliverance
that liberates from the first slavery of all.
Sin.
Thus, Saviour who is also Son of Man, Just Judge, Wounded Healer,
Deliverer, Lord. Of Him, Daniel writes – as Jesus would quote (applying to himself) at
his trial before a kangaroo court:
>>Dan 7: 13 “I kept looking in the night visions,
And
behold, [c]on
the clouds of heaven
One like a Son of Man was coming,
And
He came up to the Ancient of Days
And was presented before Him.
14 “And to Him (the
Messiah) was given dominion (supreme authority),
Glory and a
kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations, and speakers of every
language
Should serve and worship Him.
His dominion
is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And
His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed. [AMP] >>
Obviously, this is supremely manifest only at the
culmination of all things, but already he commissioned us in Matt
28:18 – 20, noting that he holds “All authority in heaven and on
earth,” i.e. he is Lord to the glory of God the Father. In that
context he has instructed us to go, making disciples of the nations,
teaching them to obey him. For, all his ways are just and he is Truth
Himself. It is undeniable that the gospel embeds gospel ethics, lives
in the context of the kingdom of God, and points to a call of amnesty
requiring transformation of lives and families that must by its
inherent force affect communities.
The four R’s appear:
R1 → Repentance, meta+noia as we turn from sin in surrender to
God
R2 → Renewal, through cleansing of mind and life under the Word
R3 → Revival, as seasons of refreshing are poured out (generally
in contest with a demonic riot)
R4 → Reformation, as R1 – 3 have cumulative impact
There was a time in the which God excused ignorance but now he
commands all men everywhere to repent in the face of eternal
judgement. For he has appointed The Son of Man as Judge, giving proof
of this truth to all men by raising him from the dead, with 500
eyewitnesses.
So, while we find nowhere a call to lead lawless rebellions, as
the Kingdom is not of this world and its wars are not with the
weapons of this age, we are indeed called to break fallacies and
schemes of deception that lead men away from the knowledge of God,
taking every thought captive to obedience of Christ. He, in whom are
hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
In our day, such fallacies clearly include the oppression thesis,
the denial of God’s reality by creating the false impression that
“Science” [= atheism in a lab coat] has put him out of a job, and
the attempt to undermine sound moral government testified to by
conscience. Instead, let us restore moral sanity and truth that leads
men to acknowledge God, receiving him who is our Lord and Saviour.
AMEN and AMEN>>
______________________
Clearly, the gospel embeds a theology of the kingdom of God and necessarily implies ethical transformation that applies to the individual, the family, the church, the community, the civilisation. Let us therefore acknowledge that Jesus came, descending and ascending in order to fill all things. So, often imperceptibly, there is a rising of the tide of that kingdom where God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven. It starts in our hearts and lives and (despite the chaos of the demonic riot) even now it spreads to the family, the church, the community, the civilisation as we grow in discipleship under Messiah.
The "simple" gospel -- even so simple as what is embedded in the Lord's Prayer (recall, a part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus' central ethical summary) -- has in it an ethics of transformation and reformation that holds out a liberating hope for us all:
1 Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [by perversion], nor those who participate in homosexuality, 10 nor
thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers [whose words are
used as weapons to abuse, insult, humiliate, intimidate, or slander],
nor swindlers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.
11 And
such were some of you [before you believed].
But you were washed [by
the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for
God, and made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the
source of the believer’s new life and changed behavior]. [AMP]
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, starting with me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Let us remind ourselves of the Mordecai challenge: why not now, why not here, why not us? END
