It's been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. Both written and spoken words have sparked great revolutions throughout history. The greatest revolution of all was started with the words, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:15).
Most revolutions are bloody. As the masses embrace a message or ideology their passion for the cause leads them to take up arms to defend or advance it.
Jesus declared and demonstrated a peaceable kingdom. Were it otherwise He would have brought the infinite might of the armies of heaven to bear to defend and establish it as he stood prisoner before the authorities. But, rather than calling upon a crack-force of 72,000 angelic freedom fighters (Matthew 26:53), he calmly submitted to the existing authorities with the words, "my kingdom is not of this world (system)" (John 18:36)
Military conquest of the present system by the kingdom of God would have negated the very essence of the kingdom of God. True conquest would come through its ideals and values. The battle was destined to be won in the hearts and minds of people.
The Second Coming of Jesus is considered to be a triumph of might as opposed to the "my-kingdom-is-not-of-this-world" previous passive approach of Jesus. But is military might in view when it says that "From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations" (Revelation 19:15)? Is a "sword of the mouth" synonymous with a sword of the hand, or is it more accurately The Word of God, the name by which He is called at His return (Revelation 19:13)?
The gospel message of the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ is far more powerful than we can fully comprehend. It is the revolution of this peaceable kingdom that overthrows false philosophies, mindsets, and lifestyles and radically changes lives as well as the very fabric of this present age.
Embrace this true gospel with the urgency and determination of a soldier in combat embracing his weapon. Speak and live today with the confidence that the weapon we wield has the power to literally strike down the nations. And then let the peaceable kingdom conquer your heart, mind and lifestyle as you bring it to bear on the world around you.
Steve
Most revolutions are bloody. As the masses embrace a message or ideology their passion for the cause leads them to take up arms to defend or advance it.
Jesus declared and demonstrated a peaceable kingdom. Were it otherwise He would have brought the infinite might of the armies of heaven to bear to defend and establish it as he stood prisoner before the authorities. But, rather than calling upon a crack-force of 72,000 angelic freedom fighters (Matthew 26:53), he calmly submitted to the existing authorities with the words, "my kingdom is not of this world (system)" (John 18:36)
Military conquest of the present system by the kingdom of God would have negated the very essence of the kingdom of God. True conquest would come through its ideals and values. The battle was destined to be won in the hearts and minds of people.
The Second Coming of Jesus is considered to be a triumph of might as opposed to the "my-kingdom-is-not-of-this-world" previous passive approach of Jesus. But is military might in view when it says that "From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations" (Revelation 19:15)? Is a "sword of the mouth" synonymous with a sword of the hand, or is it more accurately The Word of God, the name by which He is called at His return (Revelation 19:13)?
The gospel message of the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ is far more powerful than we can fully comprehend. It is the revolution of this peaceable kingdom that overthrows false philosophies, mindsets, and lifestyles and radically changes lives as well as the very fabric of this present age.
Embrace this true gospel with the urgency and determination of a soldier in combat embracing his weapon. Speak and live today with the confidence that the weapon we wield has the power to literally strike down the nations. And then let the peaceable kingdom conquer your heart, mind and lifestyle as you bring it to bear on the world around you.
Steve
posted by steve @ 4:14 PM
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