Build your kingdom here
by Maria Rudolph
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‘You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth’ (Revelation 5:10).
Sometimes words fail us in describing a situation, an overwhelming joy or sadness. Can you imagine John on the island of Patmos, having this intense vision of the kingdom of God and trying to describe it with familiar expressions so others can comprehend even half of what he saw? He could not. Everything about this vision sounds obscure, intangible, unbelievable. And yet we can understand in faith the mighty impact this has on our salvation and the redemption of the world. The Lamb, our Christ, has been slain to conquer death and with his blood he has purchased people of every tribe and nation to be a royal priesthood for God. It’s a mighty transaction that is given to us freely by the grace of God. Wow.
Did you notice that it doesn’t say that we shall live in the kingdom but that we are the kingdom? Much like St Paul says in 1 Peter 2:5, ‘you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ’. And in 1 Corinthians 12:27, ‘Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it’.
In other words, you are not just a passive participant in God’s kingdom which he brings about. You are a precious and important part of bringing about the kingdom of God in our world today, and God uses you actively on this very day to work his purposes through you. You are created to be part of the body of Christ, and the spiritual gifts and abilities you have are needed. The little toe of the body is just as important as the neck; the belly button is not inferior to the hand. And one glorious day, all of us will participate in the great multitude of saints as we sing eternal praises to the Lamb on the throne.
Loving God, give me a kingdom focus. Help me to make myself available every day so you can do your work through me to help your kingdom come right now. Instill in me a longing to be in your eternal kingdom to see you face to face and sing your praises forevermore. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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