I don’t like the idea of Christians thinking that Jesus could SUDDENLY come back later this afternoon, or maybe tonight…
We’re a long way from this marriage.
Jesus is coming back to a bride without spot, wrinkle or blemish. A victorious church that is walking in a full revelation of the gospel of the Kingdom.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24: 14
How’s your eschatology? I think that there are a couple of unhelpful perspectives that are delaying Jesus’ return.
- 1 – the church going along with faithless solutions as the world does (marriage outside of God’s intention, abortion etc)
- 2- Jesus is coming soon to save us all from this world because it’s going to the dogs and He’s going to take us all to be with Him in heaven.
The gospel of the kingdom is this – that we have been restored into right relationship with God as the curse has been broken.
This means that we take up, and have the capacity to fulfil, our original mandate – to rule and reign over this earth as stewards. Cultivating and co- creating as the Father leads and as we walk with Him.
Creation is GROANING for us to step into this, if we turn around to it and say, “sorry – you’re mistaken… we’re out of here and you’re getting nuked”; that just doesn’t resonate with how Jesus walked and talked. Creation responded to Him. All flesh did and does. The earth that we walk on and the earth that we walk around AS responds to Him.
Great examples of this are us as Christians thriving, and the earth that we steward doing likewise… like my friend Murray’s crops and his animals. I can see Christians being led by the Spirit to plant crops in places that flourish beyond science’s explanation, water courses being unpolluted, fish thriving, insects returning…. all as Christians start to steward this earth and see God’s way of doing things done on earth as in heaven.
THIS will hasten the day. THIS will be a bride ready for the groom, when we are living like kingdom citizens.
I think then when this reality sets in to the church there will be a dramatic shift. I’m seeing the next revival being of US – Christians becoming more Christ like, stepping into a new level as maturity IN Him.
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” Matthew 24: 6
I think that we as the church are DELAYING His return by not stepping into who we are created to be… either by
- 1 – going along with what the world says
- 2- crying out in desperation for Jesus to come and save us from a broken world.
He has already done it – it is finished!!
It’s now up to us to expedite His victory over the curse and make His enemies His footstool.
When I became a new creation I wasn’t erased, I was transformed, in the blinking of an eye. This new heaven and new earth… it’s here; we have to bring it into being through our stewardship.
You see soil? Plant something as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Be that earthen soil or the soil of a heart.
It will bear fruit.
The soil is ready, the fields are white, the earth is groaning…

