As we go through life, are we preaching the coming kingdom of heaven?
- Do you ever find yourself thinking about the way God will judge each of us when Jesus returns?
- Does the Bible provide the guidance and encouragement we need so we are able to stand in the Day of Judgment?
The quick answers (for me): Yes & Yes.
We read in Scripture, in Matthew’s gospel account, how Jesus prepared His disciples and then sent them out to fulfill the Great Commission. Then in Luke’s gospel writing, we read how the Lord appointed seventy witnesses and then sent them out to preach. Within both biblical narratives, the commission Jesus spoke to His followers remained the same—
“These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them:
(The Gospel According to Matthew 10: 5-7 NAS)
“Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans;
but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And as you go, preach, saying,
‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ “
- Did you notice how Jesus sent His disciples to specific people?
- Did you also notice that Jesus did not say, ‘when you go’ but ‘And as you go, preach, . . .”
because not going, not preaching, not witnessing, not healing, not casting out demons, not raising the dead back to life—was never God’s plan.
The same is still true today for us.
“Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you;
(The Gospel of Luke 10: 8-9 NAS)
and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them,
‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ “
Most definitely, those who are followers of Jesus are to go through life, preaching the coming kingdom of heaven. Scripture reveals clearly how we are to be judged, not ‘if’ we are to be judged. Therefore, we are to remain faithful to the Lord’s salvation He has provided us & to God’s standard through which all men will be judged.
“And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.
(The Letter of Paul to the Romans 2: 2-6 NAS)
[all ungodliness and all unrighteousness]
But do you suppose this, O man,
when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself,
that you will escape the judgment of God?
Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience,
not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?
But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS:”
Followers of Jesus, as we go through life, we are to preach the coming kingdom of heaven.
- We are saved by faith.
- We are called to walk by faith.
- We have been entrusted to keep living by faith.
The Bible tells us why: for the One who began a good work in us will remain faithful to complete it until the day Jesus Christ returns, when our faith will become sight, when we will see Jesus as He is. The greatest offense comes when a person resists God, so we must testify, telling others how Jesus died to bring the way for them to be saved.
Jesus told His disciples this would be a hard road, & the same is still true today for us.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves;
(The Gospel of Matthew 10: 16-23 NAS)
so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues;
and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake,
as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
But when they hand you over,
do not worry about how or what you are to say;
for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.
For it is not you who speak,
but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child;
and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
You will be hated by all because of My name,
but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next;
for truly I say to you,
you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.”
Truly, followers of Jesus, as we go through life—
- We are to treasure God’s Word.
- We are to walk by faith, not by sight, until we see Jesus. &
- We are to remain faithful, walking in obedience to God. &
- We are to continually preach the coming kingdom of heaven!