Kingdom Disciples

When Christians react in kind to hostility, whether from government, society, or individuals, Satan wins .  The reality of persecution raises serious questions. How should we react to our persecutors, especially when we are targeted by governing authorities? Should disciples respond with indignation, civil disobedience, and public protests, or should they follow his example, as well as that of the early church?  [ Photo by Manuel Rheinschmidt on Unsplash ].

Disciples escape God’s “wrath” but endure “tribulation” to which they have been “appointed” – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4 .  The terms “ tribulation ” and “ wrath ” are NOT synonymous. “ Tribulation ” is what disciples endure for the sake of the gospel, but “ wrath ” is the horrific fate that awaits the wicked at the “ end of the age ” which unrepentant sinners and apostates will undergo on account of their iniquities and betrayals - [ Photo by L.Filipe C.Sousa on Unsplash ].

Exiled on Patmos, John declared himself a “fellow-participant” in the tribulation and the endurance “in Jesus” – Revelation 1:9 .  The Apostle John found himself exiled on the “ isle of Patmos ” for the “ word of God and the testimony of Jesus ,” and there, he received visions concerning “ things that must soon come to pass ” that he recorded and sent to seven beleaguered congregations in the province of Asia. Like them, he was experiencing “ tribulation ” for the kingdom - [ Photo by Danka & Peter on Unsplash ].

The spiritually-minded man understands that Christ Crucified is God’s true power and wisdom - 1 Corinthians 2:14 .  Overused today, the English term ‘spiritual’ has become virtually meaningless. To some, it is synonymous with religion. To be religious is to be spiritual. To others, it refers to things that are not of this physical universe - things and entities that are otherworldly, immaterial, invisible, ephemeral, and timeless - [ Photo by  Allef Vinicius  on Unsplash ].

The arrival of Jesus in glory will be an event of great victory and finality that ushers in the age to come and final salvation .  In the New Testament, the return of Jesus at the “ end of the age ” is an event of great finality. His “ arrival ” in glory will be accompanied by celestial and terrestrial upheaval, the New Creation, the resurrection of the righteous, the judgment of the ungodly, the “ gathering of his elect ,” and the cessation of death. Nothing will ever be the same again! - [ Clouds at Dusk - Photo by Dương Trần Quc on Unsplash ].