Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Thursday, October 02, 2008 8:39:28 PM
‘In the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed…’ [Daniel 2:44].
Centuries after Daniel wrote of the kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, Jesus Christ spoke these words, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel” [Mark 1:14].
He told His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations because all authority had been given to Him on earth and in heaven [Matthew 28:18].
Independent of the kingdoms of this world that come and go, Christ has been building His Church for two millennium. Just as He said, “I will build My Church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it” [Matthew 16:18]. That is, nothing can prevent the Church from fulfilling its mission of gathering together the people of God.
The churches of every age make up Christ’s Church. The church is where His authority is recognized; this is the kingdom of heaven on earth. Believers are the living stones being built up into a glorious temple; Christ Himself is the chief cornerstone.
The nations are as dust in the scale and as a drop in the bucket. They are counted by the Lord less than nothing and worthless [Isaiah 40]. But the Church is called the bride of Christ. He loves her and cherishers her as precious and has promised to present her blameless and holy having sanctified her for Himself [Ephesians 5].
The heritage given us by our forefathers is being trampled under foot. As a result we are going the way of all nations that suppress the knowledge of God. It is only the church that will endure.