The importance of the Gospel of the Kingdom is often underappreciated and unknown. When Jesus died and rose from the dead, He not only accomplished that which procures our forgiveness of sin giving us a "hope of heaven", He defeated death and Satan. By His faithful witness, He dismantled the evil powers that plague our world. His victory was enabled by the Father's vindication. Jesus is Lord and King. Literally. The implications are profound. While battles continue to rage, the war has been won. We await the coming day of the Lord when final judgment will set all things aright at last. We are not called to simply "accept Christ into our heart", we are called to faithful fidelity to a present, alternative political entity. When we take a me-centered approach to the Gospel we regulate the faith to a very personal, quiet religion (individualism prevails). Rather, we are called to submit to the truth and align ourselves (giving faith/pistis) to a different King, one Jesus. The implications affect our ethics, view of sin, eschatology, and mission/purpose. Likewise, the Church takes on new meaning.
Fascinatingly, the most oft quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament, Psalm 110:1, is that which declares the sovereign reign and victory of the Messiah. The Gospel of the Kingdom needs to be the big-picture view by which we view all other components of our Christian identity.
Jesus, Our Priest and King!
Zion's Harp #31:
1. God, the Father of our Saviour,
Who in Heaven has His throne,
Is the source of all creation,
Origin of life alone.
He said to His Son, Christ Jesus,
“On my throne which never ceases
Sit Thou, ‘til Thy foes shall be
Made a footstool unto Thee.” (Psalm 110:1)
2. Now Thy throne stands high in Heaven,
King o’er ev’ry multitude;
Thou shalt rule till all opponents
At Thy feet shall lie subdued.
Ev’ry foe shall fear and tremble,
When Thy host Thou wilt assemble,
And in glorious victory
Shalt put on Thy majesty.
3. Dominate Thy adversaries;
Hold Thy scepter, keep Thy vows!
May Thy church, the mount of Zion,
Be Thy royal treasure house.
When Thy vict’ry is completed
And Thy foes annihilated,
Then shall we in holiness
Worship Thee with joy and praise.
4. Then shall Zion bear Thee children,
An uncounted multitude,
Freed from sorrow and affliction,
And with wondrous grace endued,
As the plenteous dew of morning,
Strong in might of Thine adorning;
Since the strife is o’er, they sing
Joyful in eternal spring.
5. Verily our God hath spoken,
And His promise He will hold.
Lord, Thou art a Priest forever,
As Melchizedek of old.
Thou shalt be a High Priest ever,
Yea, Thou shalt in majesty
King and Priest and Prophet be.
6. Thy work is to bless Thy people
From the Holy Place above,
Granting grace to all believers,
Who are praising God in love.
Since Thy lifeblood Thou hast given,
Opening the way to Heaven,
He who now repents shall live,
If he truly doth believe.
7. When the Lord brings all to judgment
And avenges every wrong,
When He humbles all the haughty,
Breaking Satan’s power strong,
Then will Jesus’ crowns be gleaming
Far beyond man’s fondest dreaming,
And His people’s joy will be
Him to save eternally!
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