When Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God, He spoke of two certainties: (1) God’s activity through Christ in history to save humanity from sin and (2) God’s closure of history by restoring the saved to His original plan-to live with Him forever in the earth made new (Rev. 21:1-3). The first, as already noted, … Continue reading –>
Jesus came proclaiming the kingdom of God. In His first public proclamation at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-21) Jesus affirmed that through Him that day Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy of the kingdom and its redeeming ministry had been inaugurated. Luke records another saying that attests the kingdom’s present reality. Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom would come, … Continue reading –>
What do the following texts teach us about what citizenship in the kingdom of God is about? Luke 18:16-30; Luke 12:31-33; Luke 9:59-62 Entry into the kingdom of God is not dependent on one’s status or position, or one’s riches or the lack thereof. Luke, along with other Gospel writers, points out that one must come to … Continue reading –>
The Gospels are replete with references to the kingdom of God, all cumulatively testifying that a new order has been inaugurated in and through Jesus. What does Luke 11:2 say about the kingdom of God? Whose kingdom is it, and why is that so important? To say that this kingdom is God’s is not just … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 11:2; Luke 1:32-33; Luke 18:16-30; Luke 17:23-24; Rev. 21:1-3; Luke 21:34-36. Memory Text: They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:29, NKJV). The kingdom of God is a major theme and a … Continue reading –>
China Tan Yuen and Tao Yeh – Continued From Last Week Tan didn’t plan to stay for long, but since no one sent him home, he stayed and studied. As he and the elderly pastor studied the Bible together, Tan learned new truths about God. He had heard about the Sabbath, but had thought that … Continue reading –>
Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 22:24-27. Even as the disciples were preparing for the Last Supper, they were arguing about who among them would be the greatest in the kingdom. How does Jesus respond to their foolishness, and what is so revolutionary about His reply? Jesus’ answer is unique in the history of leadership. Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander, Julius … Continue reading –>
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, in their eternal council before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4), laid the plan of salvation. That is, even before the first human was created and, of course, before the first humans sinned, God had a plan in place to rescue the world. The plan is … Continue reading –>
Vigilance and fidelity have been required of Christ’s followers in every age; but now that we are standing upon the very verge of the eternal world, holding the truths we do, having so great light, so important a work, we must double our diligence.-Ellen G. White,Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 460,461. Read Luke … Continue reading –>
