The problem with your defense of the unbiblical doctrine of eternal security is that you forget that just because you're born, that doesn't mean you'll live forever. Ever read Hebrews 10, "He that despised Moses law” died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under feet the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. "Yes, the Lord will judge HIS PEOPLE--not just those who aren't his people. Check out verse 38 of that same chapter, and don't forget to look over at chapter 6, verses 4-8, before you talk about having to be born again a second or third time. Jesus himself, in Matthew 10:22 gets, as always, the last word, by which we (his people) will be judged: "He that endureth to the end shall be saved." Sounds suspiciously like "the one who shall not be saved, is he that does not endure to the end," doesn't it?
Dear Jeff, you have to keep the context of what Jesus is saying in verse 34, and He is warning the disciples of the cost of discipleship. Peace will not come to Earth as we share the gospel, instead a sword of division. In some families, when you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will be excommunicated because of your faith. Therefore, Jesus told us that we are as sheep, in the midst of wolves, and we are to be wise as serpents, as well as harmless as doves. Jesus will give us the wisdom of what to say to those who will not accept our faith in Him, and just continue to carry your cross, daily, while denying yourself, and follow Jesus. May the Lord bless you richly my brother.
I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
I have told him so.
There are many mysteries in the Gospel.
Many of them are for the future,some are for now.
What I do not understand is from Matthew 10 verse 34.
Jesus could have called 10,000 angels to save him, however he died for you and me.
Why I ask, did he say that he did not come to send peace on earth but a sword?
Dear Matthew, All you have to do is place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall receive the Holy Spirit who will baptize you into the body of Christ. The one sin that will send you to hell is unbelief. So don't think that you are not worthy because of the sins you have committed.
We all like sheep have gone astray, and each according to our own way.
Yet the Lord has laid of Jesus the iniquity of us all. I pray you will go to a Church that preaches the blood atonement, and be baptized. Do not be ashamed of your faith, and Jesus will present you before the Father as well as the Angels in heaven. Study the gospel of John, and this will help you to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember Jesus has placed us as sheep in the midst of wolves. So be wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove.
Dear Matthew, who is confused. Do not distress! Obviously, you are called to the Lord, and it is NOT your responsibility to understand everything at this point. All you need to realize, is that none of us, from Mother Theresa to the littelest person on earth, is in ourselves worthy of God's love. Don't worry that you right now can't remember things you may have done in your life, that you may want to surrender to Jesus. Just remember this: IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE SINNED THAT JESUS HAD TO COME TO EARTH. TO DIE FOR OUR SINS, AND THEREBY OPEN THE GATE TO GOD AND HIS KINGDOM, FOR GOD CANNOT TOLERATE SINS.
So be encouraged dear Matthew, in all your humanity you are "worthy" to surrender to Jesus and come into His Love and Peace. It is for you and me and everyone else He was sacrificed. Just say, in your own words, that you want to surrender to Him, and open up to Him. The Holy Spirit WILL help you to "remember" things that you shall tell Jesus about. All in His time! It will come. The most important now is that you just say yes, please accept me, and He will, for he longs for our longing hearts. Matthew 10 is only difficult and confusing to you now, because you may not know Jesus, but don't worry! You will grow in belief, like a child grows and learns little by little, and The Holy Spirit will reveal things to you, so that you understand them. The word of God (Bible) is living, and therefore speaks in different ways to people, depending on many things. Our brains can't interpret them completely. Jesus spoke to His diciples in Matthew 10, men who had already followed Him around, and seen His might and power. You will to! Lastly: Get in contact with someone who has been a Christian for a long time, he/she must help you to start your wonderful and exciting journey with Jesus Christ. Just enter a church and speak to the priest or, anywhere you can find believers. I bid you welcome to Gods congregation, as far as I can see, you are already a part of it! God bless you, and make you feel His incredible peace and love, and freedom!!
I want to believe but all this seems confusing. I know I make mistakes but I want to know if I am to be worthy of His love. What if I can't remember every bad thing I've ever done. I've never been to Church. Where do I start???
I practice keepping GOD in the forfront of my thoughts and decisions always. It don't mean that i do not make mistakes, just fewer of them. You can say that i practice walking in a prayerful mind, therefore my thoughts and my decisions if i am not putting myself first comes out right, and best for my situation. It's not easy, but practice makes perfect in the LORD.
Thank you Judy Hoover for your support. In my next comment you will see that now I really need it. GOD BLESS YOU because you think about what other people have to say.
Bane I believe the feeling you felt was from thr Holy Spirit. It gave you revelation of the meaning of verse 10:39. That's a wonderful & inspiring feeling when the spirit reveals to you. What the word of God wants you to do. Seek & ye shall find, knock & it shall be opened unto you. Continue to seek, I pray more will do so as well.
The verse 10:39 was in one moment of my life the most important preaching. It totally dispel my doubts. I had an experience that every man who converts has. It is some kind of fear from unknown and turbulences of my soul that I thought nobody knows except me. But I was wrong. When I was reading this I had a feeling that Jesus is present saying: "Who takes care of his soul he will lose it, and who lose it for my sake he will find it." In that moment I felt like some kind of winner.Is it that the blessing from God or presence of the Holy Spirit. Who knows.
If anyone had a similar experience please give a comment.
P.S. I come from Serbia. Our Bible is the translation from a lutheran version. I say this because in verse Mt 10:39 instead of "life" appears word "soul".
Again, great guidance by Jesus. He truly was about his fathers work. Also blessing the deciples to perform all the miracles that he did. And about the houses and accepting of the deciples as they went along continuing the work.
Josh, Jesus' mission was first to the chosen people of Israel. When Israel rejected God's plan (Jesus as their messiah), salvation was given to the Gentiles.
Dwelling on verse 32-28 is very powerful to me because Jesus is trying to tell us not to hate our family but to not put them before Him, not to love them before Him. lets say for a husband and wife, if the 2 would love God more than they love eachother the relationship will be better off.
Jeff - Am I Catholic? No! I do not belong to any denomination, nor do I consider myself to be "Christian." I do believe in Christ, but I don't claim the title "Christian" for several reasons. Instead I just consider myself a believer.
1st: The book of Revelation talks about "Mystery Babylon," where the false prophet will come from in the end days. We are told to flee her. She is also called the "Mother of Har lots." I believe, based on the description, that the Catholic Church is Mystery Babylon, and the denominations are her daughters. Flee the "churches."
2nd: To be a "Christian" means to be "Christ-like." I mess up and sin everyday, despite knowing better. Not very "Christ-like." Also, if I'm "Christ-like" and sin everyday, then by default that makes Christ like me. That is just arrogant, blasphemous, and puts all of us in a lot of trouble if you know what I mean.
Lastly: I know a lot of people are about to get really mad over this one, but what this world calls "Christianity" is false. When you think "Christianity" regardless of denomination, most people think: Christmas (birthday), Easter (death), 1st day Sabbath, Christ died on the 6th day and was resurrected on the 1st day, Christ came to bring peace to the planet, Christ had long hair, the "Laws of Moses" are done away with and now we only need love, the "Laws" were a curse, etc. None of these items are true, and the book tells you this. I want no part in this abomination.
If the above offended you, or you doubt any of it, then please look into it. Research the pagan origins of "Christmas." It has nothing to do with Christ. Search: Yule, Roman Saturnalia, Druidic Winter Solstice, the birthday of every pagan SUN god ever know, among others. Jeremiah 10:2-5 talks about a "Christmas" tree, and was told not to do it. Deuteronomy 12:29-31 talks about not adopting pagan religious customs. Christ was born on the 1st day of the Feast of Tabernacles, not "Christmas."
Christ died on Passover, not pagan Easter. Research it. The 3 symbols of this pagan day are: Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and peeps (baby ducks). What does this have to do with Christ being crucified? Nothing! But it does have to do with a certain pagan fertility goddess whose signs were: eggs (woman - fertility, you can do the math), rabbits (fertility - rabbits.. breeding...), and baby ducks (new life). If you are celebrating her special day, these symbols make a lot of sense. Even the name is named after her with a very slight twist.
The 1st day Sabbath is a Catholic invention. It's not in the Scriptures. The Scriptures says to keep the 7th day Sabbath. Which is from sunset the night before to sunset the day of on our calendars. This is not the Jews Sabbath, it's His.
The "churches" teach he died on the 6th evening and was resurrected the morning of the 1st day. Christ said he would be in the belly of the earth for 3 days and 3 nights. So mathematically what they teach is impossible. He did die in the evening, in a Biblical day - or around 3 p.m. He was resurrected on the 1st day - the night of (so the night prior on our calendar).
Which means he died on the 4th day of the week just prior to sunset, and was resurrected just after sunset on the 1st day. 3 days and 3 nights ( 5th n/d, 6th n/d, 7th n/d).
I already talked about the "Laws of Moses" in a previous post. Christ didn't come to bring peace on earth. Matthew 10:34-36 says in his own words that he didn't come to do that. The exact opposite in fact. The Antichrist comes claiming to be Christ and does that though... Nor did Christ have long hair. 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 says that if a man has long hair it's a shameful thing. So why would Christ do it? He didn't.
There are so many other false teaching that the "churches" teach, regardless of denomination. I'm not trying to be mean or arrogant, or rude. They are teaching lies. They have taken everything the Scriptures says, and basically turned it upside down. It's wrong, and they are leading untold numbers into the Lake of Fire, and the people have no clue. The Scriptures says that many false prophets will go out among the people and deceive many. Read the book.
Why do you think that Jesus COMMANDED the 12 to NOT go unto the gentiles (Verse 5)but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (verse 6)???? Sounds like His earthly ministry was soley for the purpose of Israel, and not us gentiles (the rest of the world).
go. and tell that jesus is lord and fear not and take nothing with you for the lord is with you and will always be. not only that he will tell you what to speak so all you got to do is listen, shut up and listen to what the spirit says, yeild urself to the spirit. God be with you.
Jesus were given his disciples and followers specific commands, a kind of worldwide works that individually should follow,if truly they are an obedient followers. This is about the preaching work about the Kingdom of God and discipleship making. Please read Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:18,20
But most people around the world still do not know what is the Kingdom of God? And which among many religions are truly followers of Jesus, since Jesus himself warned that "many" will confess him as Lord but "will deceived many"- Matthew 24:4,5
The safest things to do is to stay at home and wait someone to knock on our door. Why? Because Jesus had specific command to his true followers, at Matthew 10:5-11 Jesus commanded his follower to " Preach the good news of the kingdom of God through house to house method, village to village and city to city." Also read Acts 20:20
Yes, if we are truly determined to obey Jesus command, We should stick to his "specific" teachings and wait until we meet this kind of people, right on our doorway. Ask them like, " Do you know what is the Kingdom of God?"
Here are some truth about the Kingdom of God:
When Will
God’s Kingdom Come?
“LORD, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” ( Acts 1:6) The apostles were eager to know when Jesus would establish his Kingdom. Today, some 2,000 years later, people are still eager to know: When will God’s Kingdom come?
Since Jesus made the Kingdom the theme of his preaching, you might expect that he discussed this question. And indeed he did! He spoke extensively about a marked period of time that he called his “presence.” ( Matthew 24:37) That presence is closely tied to the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom. What is this presence? Let us consider four truths the Bible reveals about the presence of Christ.
1. Christ’s presence would begin a long time after his death. Jesus gave an illustration in which he likened himself to a man who “traveled to a distant land to secure kingly power,” or to “secure a kingdom.” ( Luke 19:12; footnote) How was that prophetic illustration fulfilled? Well, Jesus died and was resurrected; then he traveled to the “distant land,” that is, heaven. As Jesus foretold in a similar illustration, his return in kingly power would come only “after a long time.”— Matthew 25:19.
Some years after Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostle Paul wrote: “This man [Jesus] offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.” ( Hebrews 10:12, 13) So a lengthy period of waiting followed Jesus’ arrival in heaven. The wait finally ended when Jehovah God made his Son the King of the long-promised Messianic Kingdom. That was when Christ’s presence began. Would humans on earth see this momentous event?
2. The presence is invisible to human eyes. Remember, Jesus discussed the sign of his presence. ( Matthew 24:3) If his presence were visible to human eyes, would a sign be needed? To illustrate: Imagine that you are traveling to see the ocean. You may see road signs directing you along the way, but once you are at the shore, standing at the water’s edge with the vast expanse of water stretching out to the horizon, would you expect to see a sign with a big arrow pointing ahead, emblazoned with the word “Ocean”? Of course not! Why have a sign to point out what you can easily identify with your eyes?
Jesus described the sign of his presence, not to point out something that humans could see with their eyes, but to help them discern something that would occur in heaven. Thus, Jesus said: “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness.” ( Luke 17:20) How, then, would the sign show those on earth that Christ’s presence had begun?
3. Jesus’ presence would be marked by a time of profound troubles here on earth. Jesus said that his presence as King in heaven would be marked on earth by wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, and lawlessness. ( Matthew 24:7-12; Luke 21:10, 11) What would cause all this misery? The Bible explains that Satan, “the ruler of this world,” is full of rage because he knows that his time is very short now that Christ’s presence as King has begun. ( John 12:31; Revelation 12:9, 12) Such visible evidence of Satan’s rage and of Christ’s presence has been abundant in our time. Especially since 1914, a year that historians acknowledge was a turning point, has this evidence appeared on an unprecedented and global scale.
All of that may sound like bad news, but it is not. It means that the Messianic Kingdom is ruling now in heaven. Very soon, that government will exercise its rule right here over all the earth. How, though, would people know about that Kingdom in order to accept its rule and become its subjects?
The bad news we hear every day proves that good things are coming soon
Two women discussing Jesus' prophecy
4. Jesus’ presence is marked by a global preaching work. Jesus said that his presence would be like “the days of Noah.”* ( Matthew 24:37-39) Noah was more than an ark builder; he was also “a preacher of righteousness.” ( 2 Peter 2:5) Noah warned people that a judgment from God was on its way. Jesus said that his followers on earth would be doing something similar during his presence. He prophesied: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”— Matthew 24:14.
As we saw in the preceding article, God’s Kingdom will destroy all the governments of this world. The preaching work alerts people that this heavenly government is about to act, giving all an opportunity to escape the coming destruction and become subjects of that Kingdom. The key question, then, is, How will you respond?
Will God’s Kingdom Mean Good News for You?
The message that Jesus preached was one of incomparable hope. After the rebellion in Eden thousands of years ago, Jehovah God purposed to form a government that would set matters right, returning faithful humans to the condition that God had in mind for them from the start—life eternal in a paradise here on earth. What could be more thrilling than the knowledge that this long-promised government is ruling right now in heaven? It is not some remote, abstract concept but a living reality!
Now, God’s appointed King is ruling in the midst of his enemies. ( Psalm 110:2) In this corrupt world alienated from God, the Messiah is fulfilling his Father’s desire to search out all who want to come to know God as he really is and to worship him “with spirit and truth.” ( John 4:24) The hope of living forever under the rule of God’s Kingdom is available to people of all races, ages, and social backgrounds. ( Acts 10:34, 35) We urge you to take hold of the marvelous opportunity before you. Learn about God’s Kingdom now, so that you can enjoy living under its righteous rule forever!— 1 John 2:17.
26-27 what is done in the dark shall come to the light and what is said in the hear shall be hear on the housetops. can be hidden, everything will come to the light one way our another
One of the trivia questions in the pick "all" catagory of skill level says; What did Jesus tell His disciples not to do?", then gives the customary 4 answers with one being, "Raise the dead" as the correct answer. In fact, it is only correct as it pertains to the gospel of Luke, for Matthew 10:8 says Jesus did tell His disciples to raise the dead. Just be advised brethren.
I pick my understanding in verse 40. It says that, when you receive Jesus as your Lord and personal savior, the Almighty God will also receive you to his kingdom and you will be save.....Be a born again child of God. Thanks.
Verses 34-40 are a good reminder to those who speak of the "Prince of Peace" as suggesting he came to spread peace. He came to test us all and give us the choice - the worldly or the heavenly? If we place the worldly above Him, we will not see the true land of peace in the end.
Your web site saves a lot of my time. I am glade that you have put your web site with almost everything you need for Bible study. all I have to do is just add my thoughts and people. Thank you.
I have told him so.
There are many mysteries in the Gospel.
Many of them are for the future,some are for now.
What I do not understand is from
Matthew 10 verse 34.
Jesus could have called 10,000 angels to save him, however he died for you and me.
Why I ask, did he say that he did not come to send peace on earth but a sword?
Just a Question.
I mean no harm or confusion.
We all like sheep have gone astray, and each according to our own way.
Yet the Lord has laid of Jesus the iniquity of us all. I pray you will go to a Church that preaches the blood atonement, and be baptized. Do not be ashamed of your faith, and Jesus will present you before the Father as well as the Angels in heaven. Study the gospel of John, and this will help you to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember Jesus has placed us as sheep in the midst of wolves. So be wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove.
So be encouraged dear Matthew, in all your humanity you are "worthy" to surrender to Jesus and come into His Love and Peace. It is for you and me and everyone else He was sacrificed. Just say, in your own words, that you want to surrender to Him, and open up to Him. The Holy Spirit WILL help you to "remember" things that you shall tell Jesus about. All in His time! It will come. The most important now is that you just say yes, please accept me, and He will, for he longs for our longing hearts. Matthew 10 is only difficult and confusing to you now, because you may not know Jesus, but don't worry! You will grow in belief, like a child grows and learns little by little, and The Holy Spirit will reveal things to you, so that you understand them. The word of God (Bible) is living, and therefore speaks in different ways to people, depending on many things. Our brains can't interpret them completely. Jesus spoke to His diciples in Matthew 10, men who had already followed Him around, and seen His might and power. You will to! Lastly: Get in contact with someone who has been a Christian for a long time, he/she must help you to start your wonderful and exciting journey with Jesus Christ. Just enter a church and speak to the priest or, anywhere you can find believers. I bid you welcome to Gods congregation, as far as I can see, you are already a part of it! God bless you, and make you feel His incredible peace and love, and freedom!!
If anyone had a similar experience please give a comment.
P.S. I come from Serbia. Our Bible is the translation from a lutheran version. I say this because in verse Mt 10:39 instead of "life" appears word "soul".
1st: The book of Revelation talks about "Mystery Babylon," where the false prophet will come from in the end days. We are told to flee her. She is also called the "Mother of Har lots." I believe, based on the description, that the Catholic Church is Mystery Babylon, and the denominations are her daughters. Flee the "churches."
2nd: To be a "Christian" means to be "Christ-like." I mess up and sin everyday, despite knowing better. Not very "Christ-like." Also, if I'm "Christ-like" and sin everyday, then by default that makes Christ like me. That is just arrogant, blasphemous, and puts all of us in a lot of trouble if you know what I mean.
Lastly: I know a lot of people are about to get really mad over this one, but what this world calls "Christianity" is false. When you think "Christianity" regardless of denomination, most people think: Christmas (birthday), Easter (death), 1st day Sabbath, Christ died on the 6th day and was resurrected on the 1st day, Christ came to bring peace to the planet, Christ had long hair, the "Laws of Moses" are done away with and now we only need love, the "Laws" were a curse, etc. None of these items are true, and the book tells you this. I want no part in this abomination.
If the above offended you, or you doubt any of it, then please look into it. Research the pagan origins of "Christmas." It has nothing to do with Christ. Search: Yule, Roman Saturnalia, Druidic Winter Solstice, the birthday of every pagan SUN god ever know, among others. Jeremiah 10:2-5 talks about a "Christmas" tree, and was told not to do it. Deuteronomy 12:29-31 talks about not adopting pagan religious customs. Christ was born on the 1st day of the Feast of Tabernacles, not "Christmas."
Christ died on Passover, not pagan Easter. Research it. The 3 symbols of this pagan day are: Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and peeps (baby ducks). What does this have to do with Christ being crucified? Nothing! But it does have to do with a certain pagan fertility goddess whose signs were: eggs (woman - fertility, you can do the math), rabbits (fertility - rabbits.. breeding...), and baby ducks (new life). If you are celebrating her special day, these symbols make a lot of sense. Even the name is named after her with a very slight twist.
The 1st day Sabbath is a Catholic invention. It's not in the Scriptures. The Scriptures says to keep the 7th day Sabbath. Which is from sunset the night before to sunset the day of on our calendars. This is not the Jews Sabbath, it's His.
The "churches" teach he died on the 6th evening and was resurrected the morning of the 1st day. Christ said he would be in the belly of the earth for 3 days and 3 nights. So mathematically what they teach is impossible. He did die in the evening, in a Biblical day - or around 3 p.m. He was resurrected on the 1st day - the night of (so the night prior on our calendar).
Which means he died on the 4th day of the week just prior to sunset, and was resurrected just after sunset on the 1st day. 3 days and 3 nights ( 5th n/d, 6th n/d, 7th n/d).
I already talked about the "Laws of Moses" in a previous post. Christ didn't come to bring peace on earth. Matthew 10:34-36 says in his own words that he didn't come to do that. The exact opposite in fact. The Antichrist comes claiming to be Christ and does that though... Nor did Christ have long hair. 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 says that if a man has long hair it's a shameful thing. So why would Christ do it? He didn't.
There are so many other false teaching that the "churches" teach, regardless of denomination. I'm not trying to be mean or arrogant, or rude. They are teaching lies. They have taken everything the Scriptures says, and basically turned it upside down. It's wrong, and they are leading untold numbers into the Lake of Fire, and the people have no clue. The Scriptures says that many false prophets will go out among the people and deceive many. Read the book.
But most people around the world still do not know what is the Kingdom of God? And which among many religions are truly followers of Jesus, since Jesus himself warned that "many" will confess him as Lord but "will deceived many"- Matthew 24:4,5
The safest things to do is to stay at home and wait someone to knock on our door. Why? Because Jesus had specific command to his true followers, at Matthew 10:5-11 Jesus commanded his follower to " Preach the good news of the kingdom of God through house to house method, village to village and city to city." Also read Acts 20:20
Yes, if we are truly determined to obey Jesus command, We should stick to his "specific" teachings and wait until we meet this kind of people, right on our doorway. Ask them like, " Do you know what is the Kingdom of God?"
Here are some truth about the Kingdom of God:
When Will
God’s Kingdom Come?
“LORD, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” ( Acts 1:6) The apostles were eager to know when Jesus would establish his Kingdom. Today, some 2,000 years later, people are still eager to know: When will God’s Kingdom come?
Since Jesus made the Kingdom the theme of his preaching, you might expect that he discussed this question. And indeed he did! He spoke extensively about a marked period of time that he called his “presence.” ( Matthew 24:37) That presence is closely tied to the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom. What is this presence? Let us consider four truths the Bible reveals about the presence of Christ.
1. Christ’s presence would begin a long time after his death. Jesus gave an illustration in which he likened himself to a man who “traveled to a distant land to secure kingly power,” or to “secure a kingdom.” ( Luke 19:12; footnote) How was that prophetic illustration fulfilled? Well, Jesus died and was resurrected; then he traveled to the “distant land,” that is, heaven. As Jesus foretold in a similar illustration, his return in kingly power would come only “after a long time.”— Matthew 25:19.
Some years after Jesus ascended to heaven, the apostle Paul wrote: “This man [Jesus] offered one sacrifice for sins perpetually and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on awaiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet.” ( Hebrews 10:12, 13) So a lengthy period of waiting followed Jesus’ arrival in heaven. The wait finally ended when Jehovah God made his Son the King of the long-promised Messianic Kingdom. That was when Christ’s presence began. Would humans on earth see this momentous event?
2. The presence is invisible to human eyes. Remember, Jesus discussed the sign of his presence. ( Matthew 24:3) If his presence were visible to human eyes, would a sign be needed? To illustrate: Imagine that you are traveling to see the ocean. You may see road signs directing you along the way, but once you are at the shore, standing at the water’s edge with the vast expanse of water stretching out to the horizon, would you expect to see a sign with a big arrow pointing ahead, emblazoned with the word “Ocean”? Of course not! Why have a sign to point out what you can easily identify with your eyes?
Jesus described the sign of his presence, not to point out something that humans could see with their eyes, but to help them discern something that would occur in heaven. Thus, Jesus said: “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness.” ( Luke 17:20) How, then, would the sign show those on earth that Christ’s presence had begun?
3. Jesus’ presence would be marked by a time of profound troubles here on earth. Jesus said that his presence as King in heaven would be marked on earth by wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, and lawlessness. ( Matthew 24:7-12; Luke 21:10, 11) What would cause all this misery? The Bible explains that Satan, “the ruler of this world,” is full of rage because he knows that his time is very short now that Christ’s presence as King has begun. ( John 12:31; Revelation 12:9, 12) Such visible evidence of Satan’s rage and of Christ’s presence has been abundant in our time. Especially since 1914, a year that historians acknowledge was a turning point, has this evidence appeared on an unprecedented and global scale.
All of that may sound like bad news, but it is not. It means that the Messianic Kingdom is ruling now in heaven. Very soon, that government will exercise its rule right here over all the earth. How, though, would people know about that Kingdom in order to accept its rule and become its subjects?
The bad news we hear every day proves that good things are coming soon
Two women discussing Jesus' prophecy
4. Jesus’ presence is marked by a global preaching work. Jesus said that his presence would be like “the days of Noah.”* ( Matthew 24:37-39) Noah was more than an ark builder; he was also “a preacher of righteousness.” ( 2 Peter 2:5) Noah warned people that a judgment from God was on its way. Jesus said that his followers on earth would be doing something similar during his presence. He prophesied: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”— Matthew 24:14.
As we saw in the preceding article, God’s Kingdom will destroy all the governments of this world. The preaching work alerts people that this heavenly government is about to act, giving all an opportunity to escape the coming destruction and become subjects of that Kingdom. The key question, then, is, How will you respond?
Will God’s Kingdom Mean Good News for You?
The message that Jesus preached was one of incomparable hope. After the rebellion in Eden thousands of years ago, Jehovah God purposed to form a government that would set matters right, returning faithful humans to the condition that God had in mind for them from the start—life eternal in a paradise here on earth. What could be more thrilling than the knowledge that this long-promised government is ruling right now in heaven? It is not some remote, abstract concept but a living reality!
Now, God’s appointed King is ruling in the midst of his enemies. ( Psalm 110:2) In this corrupt world alienated from God, the Messiah is fulfilling his Father’s desire to search out all who want to come to know God as he really is and to worship him “with spirit and truth.” ( John 4:24) The hope of living forever under the rule of God’s Kingdom is available to people of all races, ages, and social backgrounds. ( Acts 10:34, 35) We urge you to take hold of the marvelous opportunity before you. Learn about God’s Kingdom now, so that you can enjoy living under its righteous rule forever!— 1 John 2:17.