– Joseph Rozario (Bangalore, India)
These days, being shaken seems to be a global and common phenomenon, no matter in which part of the world you may live in. In this world of globalization, we are subjected to being shaken by economic concerns, terrorism, wars, cultural and religious bloodshed, family disintegration, political corruption, youth’s disillusionment, etc. The tremors seem to be alarmingly increasing every day. In our country, these days religious persecution has been unleashed on the Christians and the concerned authorities are turning a nelson’s eye. From certain fanatical and fundamental quarters, the threat is that we as Christians do not belong in our motherland and therefore we need to leave this country. The judiciary itself, (the conscience keepers) is also being shaken. There seems to be increasing evidence that these global tremors are likely to snowball into earthquakes and calamities, being warned in the Bible.
Is there a way to navigate successfully through such perilous times as these? The Bible says, the way out is to belong to and to operate under ANOTHER UNSHAKEABLE KINGDOM, exactly the way Daniel did ! And how prophetically true and appropriate and encouraging are the following verses for our times ! –
Daniel 2:44 and 7:14 say, “And in the days of these kings (not lateron), shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to OTHER people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”
“….his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which hall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
Again in Hebrews 12:26 to 28 it says, “ I shake not the earth only, but also heaven….the removing of those things that are shaken….that those things which cannot be shaken may remain…..Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved….”.
All these present day earthly kingdoms seem to be based and founded and practiced by men who are in position and authority possessing no character. That is why they belong to a shakable kingdom. But in contrast, God’s kingdom will be unshakeable, because it will consist necessarily and uncompromisingly of people of God’s image and his likeness, as seen in his original purpose.
And Jesus told us to preach and teach SUCH Kingdom messages if we are to follow his words concerning the signs of his second coming. When his disciples asked him what will be the sign of his second coming; he replied, apart from wars, pestilences, famines ,earth quakes, etc….”the gospel of the KINGDOM shall be preached…to all nations…and then shall the end come.” – Mathew 24; 14. Preachers expound so elaborately about earth quakes, wars, famines, pestilences, etc. But when it comes to the gospel of the Kingdom, they think it is the same as the ‘evangelical, great commission gospel’ of saving of souls. The message or gospel of the Kingdom is entirely different. ‘This’ gospel has to be in line with the Lord’s prayer where he says, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name as in heaven so on this earth, your kingdom come as in heaven so on this earth, your will be done as in heaven so on this earth…(Mathew 6:9 & 10). The gospel of the Kingdom is about living RIGHT NOW under his Kingship & Lordship, his rule, his domain, , living his kingdom laws and representing them now as his kingdom citizens, ….all in preparation that the Lord’s prayer may become real. Our awareness and constant consciousness should not only be of his kingdom, but also the wakefulness and watchfulness of this kingdom’s arch enemy, i.e. the kingdom of darkness. This unshakeable kingdom must be practiced in our lives NOW. The evangelical gospel lays much emphasis on saving of the souls (I am not against it). But the Kingdom gospel articulates character building of the saved ones. “…to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”- Luke 1:17. Now the question before us is, are we hearing and living the Kingdom gospel and life, to become an integral part of this unshakeable Kingdom now ?
(To be continued)
