Welcome to A Journey through the New Testament! In this series, we will systematically journey through every chapter in the New Testament, unveiling the marvelous insights that can be found in the scriptures.
Matthew 3:1-2
"In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Matthew 4:17
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Let's delve into the profound message echoed by both John the Baptist and Jesus to the masses, a call that holds significance for us all, young and old alike. To grasp the depth of their preaching, we need a bit of context.
Take a moment to read Daniel 2. In this chapter, King Nebuchadnezzar has a vision of kingdoms represented by a great image. The legs and feet of iron signify the Roman empire, and the subsequent iron mixed with clay alludes to a revised Roman empire, anticipated in our time. Jesus, however, was born under the reign of the initial Roman empire.
The vision concludes with a great stone, hewn from a mountain, striking the feet of the image, symbolizing the destruction of all kingdoms and the establishment of a final, unmovable kingdom.
Daniel 2:44
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."
This stone, my friends, symbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven, initiated at the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matt 27:52-53) and perpetuated by the sending of the Holy Ghost. The Kingdom is constituted by Holy Ghost-filled believers who embody the love and character of our Lord (Rom 14:17). So, what were John and Jesus declaring?
They were announcing to the Jews that the time of the stone, the Kingdom of Heaven, was upon them. It was the season for the Kingdom to be built. This Kingdom, formed of believers, will endure to the end, participating in the rapture and returning (as a stone) to confront the antichrist, establishing the Kingdom of Christ forever. Let us persevere, spreading the message to all that the Kingdom of Heaven is here.
Written by Kareem Flowers, Sunrise with Jesus
How did you come to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven? Share it in the comments below.
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