Revelation 11:15 (ESV)
15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
I have known some rocket scientists but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that we are living in anything but a Christian Utopia. In fact, even to the casual Christian observer, our world looks like darkness and chaos are prevailing even as we speak.
Don’t forget, there is a day coming where Jesus will subdue His enemies. He will reign over the nations. All of the chaos and confusion we see will turn into order and peace. The darkness of corruption we are witnessing will be revealed by the light and removed. The pure rule of our righteous King will remain.
Did you know that right now we are in training for future reigning?
First, we are being trained to accept the control of Christ in our lives. Oh, how we love control and hate relying on others, even Jesus. Well, Jesus is to be the “King of our hearts” and He is to “direct our steps.”
What we see in our world today is a demonstration of how really unfit we are for self-direction. Just look at the mess we make when we leave God out of the equation. Chaos, darkness, and disorder become the norm. These are not just on the national level, they are personal. How many people do you see who are “walking in darkness” right now? 1 John 2:11 (ESV) reads:
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
How much hatred do you see? How much division? The enemy loves to divide people against each other so that he can conquer. He is using social platforms, political parties, religious issues, and a whole host of other venues to divide us today. If he divides he can conquer.
I have heard a lot of curious things about what is supposed to be coming. For instance, by the year 2030 we are supposed to no longer own anything; and according to the rumor mill, we will like renting everything and won’t miss ownership. There is supposed to be a new, cyber currency. According to some, there will be an attempt to depopulate the earth to 500,000,000. I have heard that scientists are trying to merge humans with AI in order for us to have eternal life. I guess they don’t want to do it the “old fashioned way” because that would entail recognizing and serving the Creator rather than the creature. I have heard that scientists are blending human and animal DNA and that the recent Wuhan virus is actually a bioweapon.
I don’t know how much of those things are true. I do wonder when God is going to stop and say, “Enough!” as He did in the days of Noah and to the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the meantime we are becoming more and more aware of how much we need God. That is how much we NEED God, not just want Him.
We are learning that we are not as independent as we would like to think we are. When we look at our world of viruses and disease we realize that in so many ways we are all just hanging by a thread. We are not going to make it out of here alive. We need God! God, as the Author of Eternal Life will indeed reign, and more good news, His followers will reign with Him.
A second part of our training is for OUR reigning in the future. 2 Timothy 2:12-13 (ESV) reads:
2 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
Originally God intended for man to reign on the earth. Adam was to be His co-regent on the earth. God gave him authority over all of it. When Adam and Eve went their own way, things changed. Darkness and chaos began to spread over the earth.
We are now learning to live on earth under God’s direction. Psalm 119:105 (ESV) tells us: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. An amazing thing happens when we follow the word of God in our personal, family, church, and national lives. All of life becomes better and successful.
You see, our Founders and Framers understood what we have forgotten. The Bible contains the loving instructions of our God and FATHER. He shows us how to live in every situation, almost as if He knew what we needed to have good lives.
I like John Adams’ quote from his diary:
Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited…. What a Eutopia – What a Paradise would this region be![1]
As a result of learning to follow Jesus now, we enjoy a good life here. We will also reign with Him forever. It reminds me of the story of the Minas in Luke 19. This parable was based on a true story. Take the time to read it, dream it, and do it.
Keep The Light of Training for Reigning Burning!
[1] https://quotepark.com/quotes/2030816-john-adams-suppose-a-nation-in-some-distant-region-should-tak/