Thanksgiving for the Kingdom of God
The Preparation of God’s Kingdom
Key Verse: John 14:2 NLT
“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”
We can describe the Kingdom of God in two phases.
The first phase is from the moment Jesus came to earth until He returns to this earth for a second time.
The second phase starts when He comes the second time to take all believers from this earth to live forever in the completed Kingdom.
The devotional from a few days ago studied the first phase of God’s Kingdom when Jesus said:
“… The kingdom of God is already among you.” (Luke 17:21 NLT)
Once a person believes in and trusts Jesus to be their Savior, they go into God’s Kingdom here on earth.
I love being part of God’s Kingdom here on earth because I get to experience His presence and power working in and around me. I love the fact that I can see and understand how God’s Kingdom is different from the dark kingdom of this world. I love the peace that surpasses my understanding as I trust the promises God gives all His Kingdom children.
However, I understand that it is a partial Kingdom, so I still experience troubles, pain, tears, and suffering. As Jesus said to His followers:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
I look forward to the completed Kingdom where all troubles will be over. As Jesus revealed to John:
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4)
I love this life and do not walk around with a “death wish” so I can more quickly experience God’s Kingdom. God put in us a drive to survive in this life. That being the case, I look forward by faith to the completed Kingdom in my next life. Faith in the glorious afterlife that Jesus has prepared for us does not mean we should feel guilty for wanting to live as long as possible in this life.
I am sure you have heard people talk about things they hope will be in heaven. If a loved one died whose favorite hobby was golf, they might say “I’m sure he is up there golfing the most beautiful golf course he has ever seen”.
The truth is we do not know exactly what Jesus has prepared for us. However, if Jesus is preparing it, we can know it will be perfect and there will be no complaints by anyone! It will be a place where peace and joy will rule throughout eternity.
Father, I want to live in a way that I can live in eternity with You. Help me to continually grow in my knowledge of You. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.