In light of my thoughts on the kingdom of God in the last post, I want to extrapolate the implications further, so hear me out.
If the gospel is that Jesus died for my sins so that I can go to heaven when I die, then God is a loser. The Creator of the universe lost his creation to the powers of Sin and Death. The ultimate plan is nothing more than an escape plan; a retreat out of his good creation.
If the gospel is that Jesus is King and has defeated the powers of Sin and Death, that he holds the keys to Death and Hades, and that heaven is coming to earth, then God wins. He not only wins, but he has won, and we live today in light of that present reality and future expectation. The Sermon on the Mount becomes our manual for living now.
Let’s start living and sharing the good news about God the winner, not God the loser.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne say,
“Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Then the one seated on the throne said,
“Look! I’m making all things new.”
He also said,
“Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Then he said to me,
“All is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will freely give water from the life-giving spring.”
Revelation 21:1-6 CEB
For an excellent resource on this check out the Heaven and Earth video by the BibleProject. Then keep going with all of their resources. It’s awesome.
justin is reading 