Did you know that Jesus spoke often of His coming kingdom? The kingdom is mentioned one-hundred and forty-seven times in the New Testament, and Jesus Himself mentioned it fifty-six times in the book of Matthew alone (bibleprobe.org/ The Kingdom of God). Some delineate the kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of God. Others believe them easily exchangeable.
In my post Hope for a Future Kingdom, I reflected on the prophetic trilogy psalms of 46,47, and 48 and the future season when God brings about His kingdom for His Son. In one passage, Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God as a spiritual kingdom, internal and unobservable (Luke 17: 20-21). Many would equate the kingdom of God as synonymous with the church or body or bride of Christ. The kingdom of heaven is thought by many to be the one-thousand-year reign of Christ on earth that follows the seven-year tribulation.
In Psalm 46:10, God Himself stops the global fighting of mankind during the Battle of Armageddon with this decree: “Be still (stop fighting), and know (acknowledge) that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” But the fun part begins in Psalm 47:1-2, “O clap your hands, all you people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth.” The decree that ends the fighting paves the way for the coronation celebration of King Jesus. I often love to dream about my role in this future kingdom. I would love to work welcoming visitors coming to pay homage to the King!
Our hope in heaven is more immense than living with Jesus and being reunited with our loved ones. It is the hope and glory of a one-thousand-year season of future history where mankind gets to put his best foot forward. Working with Jesus as the Creator, Savior, and Teacher, man gets to eliminate poverty, hunger, and disease, as well as explore and invent without the limitations of sin, greed, and the quest to control.
Is there hope for the future of mankind? I say, yes! The hope of the future kingdom of heaven on earth!
