Sunday, February 12, 2023
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” (Matthew 3:1-2) The New Testament records 137 references to “the kingdom,” and over 100 of these are during Jesus’ ministry, as his entire teaching an approach as the Messiah – the Savior-King centers on this theme.
Because of the importance to our Savior, we need to understand what is meant when speaking of the kingdom. It refers to God’s sovereign rule in the universe – He is the King of the heavens. But more specifically, here it refers to the entry of God’s Long-anticipated Anointed One – the prophesied Messiah, the promised Son of David who would not only be the Savior, Deliverer, and King of Israel, but of all mankind.
The “kingdom” was near because the King was here. And His presence, was introducing the power of “the kingdom of God,” meant a new world of potential hope to mankind. Man would no more need to be held hostage to either the rule of death over mankind, resultant from human sin and sinning, or to the deadening rule of oppressive human systems, political or otherwise.
Further, the kingdom of darkness would be controlled and the death deprivation, disease, and destruction levied by satanic power would begin to be over thrown. As God’s King, Jesus offers the blessing of God’s rule, now available to bring life to every human experience, as well as deliverance from the dominance of either flesh or the Devil.
You are loved, Pastor Jennifer
Cornerstone Worship Center 