Your Kingdom Come

“Later is longer,” my pastor explained during a recent sermon on parenting. His point was that disciplining and training kids  requires consistency in their younger years  that reaps benefits for their teen years and beyond. The more I thought about it, the more I realized “later is longer” also has implications for life on earth in comparison with life in eternity.

As we’re wrapping up the final chapter of Elizabeth Woodson’s From Beginning to Forever, this week’s session provides a big-picture view of Revelation. This Apocalyptic book about the end times and the creation of a new heaven and earth intimidates many people. Granted, the ambiguous chronology along with the variety of symbols, metaphors, and references to Old Testament prophecy can be confusing. But as followers of Jesus, why wouldn’t we want to seek understanding about what unfolds when He returns?

The events in Revelation are both inspiring and terrifying. It’s unsettling to read about the temporary  hardship and persecution believers will face at the hands of the enemy. But reading Revelation, we’ll also discover much encouragement. That’s why John begins the book writing “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3, ESV) Elizabeth Woodson explains the two main purposes of Revelation are to show “1) the spiritual reality of the cosmic battle, 2) the future hope of Jesus’s final victory over sin, Satan and death.” (p. 181) In short, it’s a book written to equip and encourage believers.

John’s vision begins with messages to seven churches that call out specific ways they have demonstrated faithfulness to the Lord and/ or gotten off track. While these letters aren’t written to us, they are written for us as followers of Jesus. We see praise for those who remain steadfast and endure persecution and warning for those who tolerate sin and fall into apathy. The churches of 2000 years ago may have looked different culturally, but they struggled with the same root issues as believers today. Knowing “later is longer” makes persevering and remaining faithful and obedient to God worth the effort.

After addressing the seventh church, John moves on to describe a vison the Lord gives him of the throne room of heaven. “The jeweled description of God, the twenty-four elders around the throne, winged creatures, thunder and lightning—all of this was a scene beyond words…Day and night they continue to repeat the glorious truth about God and then fall before Him in worship.” (p. 185) John explains, “They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’” (Revelation 4:9-11, ESV) While reading descriptions of what takes place in the throne room, you may recognize familiar lyrics from songs and hymns inspired by the imagery.

Next, John describes God’s judgement being poured out on earth for human rebellion and sin. Although Elizabeth Woodson doesn’t mention it specifically, one of the most comforting elements I discovered in Revelation was this command “Don’t harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we seal the servants of our God on their foreheads.” (Revelation 7:3, ESV) This seems related to Paul’s teaching to believers in Ephesians: “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14, ESV) As the cosmic battle and final judgement unfold, believers will be clearly identified and protected from God’s wrath. How reassuring it is to discover this amidst many graphic and frightening scenes John describes.

While it’s unclear exactly how or when events will unfold (and it’s possible some are already unfolding), “there are three key events that all Christians agree on—1) Jesus Christ returns in a physical body; 2) the dead are resurrected; 3) believers and non-believers are judged.” (p. 188) Although the thought of facing God for judgement may make us quake in fear, we must remember that those who have accepted Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf have their names written in the book of life (Revelation 20:15) and have nothing to fear. Believers will be seen through the perfect holiness of Jesus whose blood paid the penalty for their sin.

“With God’s judgment of creation complete, God’s plan of salvation will be complete. Sin, evil, death, and Satan’s schemes will be no more… The kingdom, God’s divine plan by which He would dwell in perfect harmony with creation and humanity, can finally and fully be restored!” (p.190) The shalom of Eden will once again become a reality and the work of ruling and reigning God’s kingdom will continue for eternity with the Lord dwelling among His people.

The time we take to learn and apply Scripture, to practice the way of Jesus, and to live as aliens in the world is preparing us for the time described at the end of Revelation. The efforts we make to expand the Lord’s Kingdom on Earth give others a taste of His love and reflect the character of our Heavenly Father. Author and theologian N.T. Wright explains:

“You are…accomplishing something that will become in due course part of God’s new world.  Every act of love, gratitude and kindness; every work of art or music inspired by the love of God and delight in the beauty of his creation…every act of care and nurture, of comfort and support, for one’s fellow human beings…and of course every prayer, all Spirit-led teaching, every deed that spreads the gospel, builds up the church, embraces and embodies holiness rather than corruption, and makes the name of Jesus honored in the world—all of this will find its way, through the resurrecting power of God, into the new creation that God will one day make…what we do in Christ and by the Spirit in the present is not wasted. It will last all the way into God’s new world.”*

 Knowing “later is longer,” let’s focus our efforts on expanding God’s kingdom on earth now. Let’s invest our time and energy in endeavors that have value all the way to eternity, just as Jesus encouraged His followers to pray “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, ESV)

*N.T. Wright Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection and the Mission of the Church, HarperOne, 2008, page 208.

Elizabeth Woodson, From Beginning to Forever: A Study of the Grand Narrative of Scripture, Lifeway Press, 2022.

Interested in learning more about how what we do now can prepare us for eternity in the new heaven and earth? Consider reading Garden City by John Mark Comer or Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright. 

Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”

The Helmet of Salvation- The Armor of God Part 6

Of all the pieces of spiritual armor we’ve studied, the helmet of salvation is the one I need most. Priscilla explains that salvation not only gives us hope of things to come, it also leads to a new way of thinking for the here and now. Much of the spiritual battle that rages in my life originates in my mind.

img_9396-1

We saw each other almost every day, but never spoke. She was a mom with kids around the same ages as mine and both of us spent the majority of the summer at the community pool. Most days, a babysitter would accompany her and play with her kids in the pool while she read fashion magazines in a lounge chair. She almost always wore headphones and never made eye contact with anyone. From my perspective, she seemed cool, nonchalant and socially superior. For some reason, being around her transported me back to middle school and she evoked the same feelings I’d had around the “popular” kids. I felt invisible in her presence.

My insecurities raged throughout that summer as I tried to figure out the social pecking order at the pool. After feeling snubbed by a few others, I was quick to assume certain moms didn’t think I was “cool” enough to be with either.  My self-doubt caused me to hang back, waiting and hoping that others would initiate conversation. When they didn’t, it only affirmed my negative assumptions.

That fall, my son started Kindergarten. To my dismay, I discovered one of his classmates was the daughter of the woman from the pool. With only twenty kids in the class, it was impossible for our paths not to cross. But as the year progressed, I began to see her in a different light. I’d befriended another mom who was a Christian and was surprised when she told me she’d been sharing the gospel with the woman I found so intimidating. They’d struck up a conversation on a field trip to the pumpkin patch and had continued the dialogue when they returned home. My Christian friend asked me to pray for the “cool mom” from the pool. Apparently, she had been going through a difficult time and was open to attending church and curious about Jesus. I was humbled to learn this news and realized that my insecurity had prevented me from taking initiative with someone who desperately needed God’s love.  It wasn’t social superiority that kept her aloof at the pool, but depression, grief and hopelessness.

Looking back on that season, I see a direct correlation to Priscilla Shirer’s teaching on the helmet of salvation in Ephesians 6. She explains, “When we control our thought life, new neural connections and pathways are visibly and measurably formed in the brain—which affects the health and wellness of our physical bodies. In other words, when we ‘take our thoughts captive,’ we are quite literally renewing and restoring our minds from a state of unhealthiness and deterioration to a state of wholeness and strength in God.” (The Armor of God, p.168)

Of all the pieces of spiritual armor we’ve studied, the helmet of salvation is the one I need most. Priscilla explains that salvation not only gives us hope of things to come, it also leads to a new way of thinking for the here and now. Much of the spiritual battle that rages in my life originates in my mind. By nature, I see things through a negative lens and often make false assumptions. I’m cynical and critical of others and of myself. I hold on to hurt feelings, harbor bitterness and struggle with insecurity. I’m a great hostess for pity parties (I’m usually the only guest).   Yet few would guess these things about me. That is because I am living proof of Priscilla’s claim that “Sometimes the greatest miracles God does are not in our circumstances [but] in our minds.” (The Armor of God, page 151)

When I put on the helmet of salvation, it protects me from the evil one’s attacks against my mind. The Word of God gives me all the truth I need to evaluate my thoughts and align them with my identity in Christ. Here are three elements that have helped me that might be beneficial to you too:

Marked by the Holy Spirit

Paul explains in Ephesians 1:13-14 that those who believe in Christ are “Marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.” The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us while we live on earth. He is like an advance on the inheritance we will one day we receive in full. Knowing this affects how I view my life, relationships and circumstances. Realizing I have a vast wealth of spiritual resources gives me confidence to share them with others so that they can experience abundant living too. The Holy Spirit prompts me, guides me and reassures me. He reminds me that being marked by him means my life will look different from my non-believing peers. And when I’m wearing my helmet, I know that being different is a good thing.

Engaging the Eyes of the Heart

In Ephesians 1:18-19 Paul prays that the eyes of our hearts will be opened so that we can see the hope we have, the riches of our heavenly inheritance and the great power we can access as believers. The helmet of salvation triggers the eyes of my heart, enabling me to see these things and to use them in my life. With my spiritual eyes I can see God at work in my circumstances, whether they are bad or good. I’m also able to look beneath the surface to recognize the different tactics people use to hide fear, pain and insecurity.  This helps me to offer grace instead of taking offense or casting judgement. The eyes of my heart help me to see how my own insecurity stunts me and enables me to move past it by embracing my identity in Christ.

Taking Thoughts Captive

In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 Paul describes the spiritual weapons God gives us to demolish strongholds, arguments and pretensions that set themselves up against the knowledge of God. He explains that we must take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. This is incredibly challenging for someone like me because thousands of thoughts course through my mind daily. I’m constantly evaluating myself and finding faults and flaws. I can fixate for hours on something negative before I realize that I’ve been believing lies about myself. They not only steal my joy but also cause me to be self-absorbed. When I take my thoughts captive, I recognize the time I’ve wasted wallowing in negativity. Once I make them obedient to Christ, it frees me to be used by God to impact others.

The song “Priceless” by for KING & COUNTRY provides a beautiful example of allowing the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart, take your thoughts captive and re-frame your view of yourself. Click on the link and be encouraged:

Continue reading “The Helmet of Salvation- The Armor of God Part 6”