A Golden Opportunity

Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.   Matthew 3:2

John the Baptist’s message was essentially, “The long-awaited promise is about to be fulfilled. This is a golden opportunity. If you want to take it, you’re going to have to change.” Notice heaven is a “kingdom,” a place that’s under the rule of a king. If you want to be in the Kingdom of Heaven, you have to submit to the rule of the King of heaven.

For thirty-eight years, I was not subject to the laws of the United States of America, because I was living in Great Britain. Then in 1996, I was invited to serve as a pastor in the States, and when I came, I was immediately released from an old set of laws I’d been subject to in Britain, and I became subject to a new set of laws in America.

Some of the new laws were difficult for me—like driving at low speeds on open roads. But I’ve found—from experience—that if I’m stopped by a police officer, it simply will not do to say, “I’m operating under the laws of Her Majesty, the queen!” The officer would point out that if I want to operate by another set of laws, I’d better go back to the place where those laws hold sway.

Throughout human history, men and women have been kept at a distance from heaven. The cherubim and the flaming sword barred the way back into the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:24), where Adam and Eve had known the blessing and the presence of God.

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and the prophets all looked forward to the Kingdom of Heaven. God was gracious to them, but when they died, they joined a long line of people waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled (see Hebrews 11:13).

At last, through Jesus Christ, the borders of heaven have been thrown open. But if you want to be in the Kingdom where Christ reigns, you must place yourself under his authority, and that means you’re going to have to change. Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. You cannot have the benefits of the Kingdom if you will not bow to the King.

For further reading, see James 2