How Much?

Read: Acts 1:3-8

When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” Acts 1:6

IN WORD

We’ve seen that in a very real sense, the Kingdom has come, is now growing, and includes blessings and some degree of restoration in this age. We’ve also seen that the Kingdom is also future, will be fully established at Jesus’ return, and will include the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. We pray for God’s Kingdom to come on earth, in our lives today. And we look for Jesus to come and usher in His Kingdom completely. It’s both now and then.

The disciples didn’t know that when they asked Jesus if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel after the Resurrection. It was a reasonable question; Jesus had been speaking to them about Kingdom issues (Acts 1:3). He didn’t reject the question or even redirect it with an explanation about their limited understanding of what the Kingdom is or about Israel’s role in the future. No, He simply told them the timing wasn’t for them to know. The Kingdom would be restored, but not yet. And then He ascended for an undefined period of time.

Not long afterward, Peter would speak to the crowds about the coming Kingdom: “He must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets” (Acts 3:21). Two millennia later, we are still asking when this time will come. The early church thought His return might be imminent, but God’s plans rarely unfold so quickly—especially when He is doing a deep and lasting work. And the Kingdom is certainly deep and lasting. God is preparing a body of millions of believers who will reflect Him well. This is no small project. It’s a reflection of His glory.

IN DEED

The question isn’t when the Kingdom is coming. It’s how much you can invest yourself in the Kingdom now. The fulfillment is up to Jesus. Your role in the process is up to you. Know that you are spending your life on a dazzling display of His glory. And give it everything you’ve got.

ADDITIONAL READING: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

The glory of God is man alive, supremely in Christ.

LEON JOSEPH SUENENS