The Rightful King

Read: Revelation 11:15-19

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15, NIV

IN WORD

According to common Christian belief, the kingdoms of the world will disintegrate in defeat, and the Kingdom of the Lord will rise up and take their place. That’s how the end of days is pictured. But that isn’t what Scripture tells us. No, the kingdoms of the world—the earthly domains now governed by fallen human beings—will be redeemed and restored to their rightful King. The nations won’t lose their identity at the second coming of Christ; they will find their fulfillment in it.

We see a hint of this in the temptation Jesus endured in the wilderness. The adversary gave Him a very real option: He showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world with all their splendor and glory and then offered to give them to Jesus—for a price. Jesus would have to bow down and worship His enemy (Luke 4:5-7). The temptation was real because Jesus came for that purpose—to win the kingdoms of the world. But this devilish shortcut was certainly the wrong means. Nevertheless, the kingdoms were on the heart of the King.

During the temptation, Jesus never denied the glory of the kingdoms. Their glory was real. Like human beings made in the image of God, earthly communities have the potential to reflect divine fellowship. Though they have fallen far short of that goal, they are not irredeemable. If we look, we can see the glory and the potential. We can find something in them desired by God.

IN DEED

Look for the redeemable qualities of your culture. They are there for discerning eyes to see. When you find them, covet them for the Kingdom. Pray, speak, live, and love in ways that bring them into their true identity. Whether you work in education, media, government, business, family, church, or any other sphere of society, you have opportunities to influence your world with Kingdom values and solutions. Let the King come to them through you long before He comes for you.

ADDITIONAL READING: Luke 4:5-7

Redeeming the culture is the never-ending mission of the church.

CHARLES COLSON