God’s Kingdom
Occasionally, we all have dreams, though most of us can’t remember the specifics of them once we wake up. However, the second chapter of Daniel records in detail one of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams. At the time, he was the king of the grandest empire of his day, the Babylonian kingdom. God was revealing to him that in the future several other world-dominant kingdoms would replace his, until finally God would establish His own and final kingdom. In that dream, God’s kingdom is pictured as a huge Rock that smashes all the empires of man. When that time comes, the world will experience a Monarch who operates on the principles of righteousness, justice, truth, and grace.
The world has witnessed terrible atrocities of man’s inhumanity in both Rwanda and India. Jesus told us that an even more terrible time will precede the establishment of His physical kingdom. He said, “For then there will be GREAT DISTRESS, UNEQUALED from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.” (Matthew 24:21).
The apostle Paul also described the days leading up to this tribulation. They will be characterized by a heightened love of self and a lessened love for God. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Sounds a lot like our times, doesn’t it?
Though God will establish His physical kingdom in the future, He is more interested in establishing His spiritual kingdom in the hearts of people, TODAY. When Jesus began His public ministry, He said, “‘The time has come. The kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the good news!’” (Mark 1:15). He was talking about a spiritual kingdom.
Right this moment, a love-relationship with God is available to anyone and everyone. Our partners in Rwanda and India faithfully proclaim this Good News to the orphans under their care and to their surrounding countrymen. The cost for us to obtain this salvation? Repent, step down and relinquish the throne of our heart to Jesus. The cost for Jesus? The torturous cross, a price He was willing to pay because He loves you. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13).
Jesus laid down His life for you. If you have not yet stepped off the throne of your heart and relinquished that position to Jesus Christ, I encourage you to do so soon.
Marlon Furtado