“Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God.“ (I Corinthians 15:24)
We must connect “the end” with “the beginning” of this era, when one of the two humans who had been granted dominion instead chose the Serpent as master triggering the battle between the god of death and the human ruler appointed by the Creator and Sustainer of life.
“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household?…that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing…” (Luke 12:42-43)
We understand that the kingdom of heaven and earth could not be established until the perfected Only Begotten Son of God took his place.
“he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten [declared my heir is] thee…in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death…Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (Hebrews 5:5-9)
Can we not understand that the instructions he authored are not
- for spiritually immature children or adults to ask him to “come into my heart” to guarantee they go to heaven regardless of their behavior and lack of belief as adults,
- or to recite a creed,
- or even to maintain a righteous way of life?
“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast [relinquish all the distractions of this world’s materialistic way of life], and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me [my spiritual way of life]. (Matthew 19:21)
Trust me, this turns into an extremely lonely way of life. But isn’t that a maxim? “It’s lonely at the top.” That’s because leaders have so few peers to turn to for support and advice. Harvard’s solution? Forge relationships with a new set of peers—other frontline leaders.
And that’s also our spiritual leader’s solution.
“he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints” (Ephesian 4:11-12)
Can we not understand that the kingdom of heaven cannot be established until appointed leadership is also perfected through suffering?
Surely we understand this on the lesser level of human government. When Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933, his existing staff – trained to his specifications – made it possible for him to immediately take over the government. They had studied his book, trained, fought battles, were imprisoned and stayed faithful to their Germanic Messiah unto death.
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection…we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:” (Hebrews 6:1,12)
Christians love to vilify the Pharisees, but there were some rulers very high up in Judea’s theocratic government who were able to serve as Jesus’ ministers only because of their standing in the current Jewish administration.
“Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple [John]: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest...and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.” (John 18:12-16)
When we put this incident in context of the entire evening, we realize that Jesus had specifically asked John and Peter to give him peer support earlier that very day.
“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and [moving away from the main group] he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John], and…saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye [three] here, and watch with me.” (Matthew 26:36-40)
Spiritual growth and development are no different from growth and development of any physical or social skills through mastering self-control through ever higher levels of practice, practice, practice.
There may only be a remnant of Jews who are elected to positions of leadership in God’s eternal kingdom but the Bible states that there must be Jewish witnesses to the Jewish Christ’s resurrection.
“And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, [not anymore!] besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave…
And there came also Nicodemus, [a ruler of the Jews] which at the first came to Jesus by night, [now in broad daylight] and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight [so he is evidently either personally extremely wealthy or well-connected to collect this from a group]. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” (John 19)
And who can overlook Paul? Apostle to the Gentiles he may be, but no-one could reach the rulers of the Jews better than him.
“[Paul] cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question…And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.” (Acts 23:6-9)
“Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, [they wouldn’t gather for just anyone!] he said unto them, Men and brethren…for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said unto him…we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest…And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.” (Acts 28:17-24)
“For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man / ha-Adam, that thou…crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him.
But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see YHVH’s Savior / the last Adam…bringing many sons unto glory / victory in battle…
- For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one:
- for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto / share your power with my brethren…
- And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me…
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling [to serve in government], consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, YHVH’s Chosen Savior; Who was faithful to him that appointed him…whose [royal] house [of David] / are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” (Letter to the Hebrews 2:5-3:6)
In God’s kingdom, we are meant to transform into the likeness of our Savior by following the same process he underwent – submitting our will to the will of the Father. And it’s not any more comfortable than a drug addict trying to kick an opioid or methamphetamine habit!
It is no different from any child developing social skills and self-control through mastering self-will through ever higher levels of practice, practice, practice. As one of my son’s high school teachers explained, “You decide if you want to work at a fast-food restaurant or in a profession by how you apply yourself now.”
You have to give up the comforts of sleeping in, staying up late to watch captivating television programs or play video games, and partying with friends. You have to withdraw into your own wilderness to study and accept rejection of family and friends who resent your changes. And frankly, only a small percentage of humanity does develop increased levels of ability and knowledge we call professionalism.
I had to quit going to prayer meetings, and every time someone asks me to pray for someone’s affliction, I have to bite back my response. “Please pray for God to….” How about you take responsibility to express God’s care by witnessing while taking a meal, spending time comforting and exhorting the afflicted with scripture, maybe even provide some financial support?
God is not a vending machine! Christianity has devolved into a Name it and Claim it magical process even by the most devout, which, when you think about it, is more insulting to God than the pagan transactional religion’s I’ll do this for you if you’ll do this for me.
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office…according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let / a command as at creation, not a choice
- US prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let
- US wait on our ministering: or
- HE that teacheth, on teaching; Or
- HE that exhorteth, on exhortation:
- HE that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;
- HE that ruleth, with diligence;
- HE that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness…
serving the Lord” (Romans 12:1-14)
Kingdom Come 