There is influence that spreads rapidly and then - just as soon as it appeared - it is gone. And there is lasting influence, which often begins more slowly yet succeeds and thrives thru persistence.
A lot of fashion, hairstyles, popular books and the like have made a big splash in society, but they have lacked the substance to affect any significant long-term changes in our culture.
Kingdom influence is the second kind. It operates gradually, based on the unchanging principles of God and on a timetable that encompasses millenia.
Four thousand years passed from the time Adam and Eve lost the garden until Christ came. More than 2,000 years have elapsed since Jesus walked here - and God's ultimate plan has still not reached completion. But His influence thru all that time has been growing, expanding, permeating human culture.
That is irresistible influence. It doesn't mean everyone on Earth will eventually enter His Kingdom, but it does mean that someday everyone will acknowledge His Kingship.
He is ultimately returning to take back the entire planet. Kingdom business then, has nothing to do with abandoning the Earth. We are in the business of influencing it. Irresistibly.
And be blessed.
8 comments:
All your talk of the 6000+ years that have passed brought a curiosity to mind for me. Have you ever just wondered what could possibly happen AFTER the 1000 years of Heaven on Earth? Every once in a while I wonder. If we have eternal life, then we will be here. Is there any indication in the bible that I am not aware of?
Also, many times when Adam and Eve are mentioned, I feel that they have been unfairly blamed for the fall of mankind. I believe I would have been irresistibly curious myself. I might very well have fallen for the serpents lies,too. Throughout my life, I have most certainly fallen for less destructive stories. I would hasten a guess that I have plenty of company there.
One thousand years of ruling and reigning with Christ here on earth; followed by eternity in the NEW heavens and NEW earth. Not here.
And ... Adam & Eve ... unfairly blamed? I've never even heard anybody say that before. Here's the 'cup half full' approach on that ... if not for Adam's sin, we wouldn't have Jesus. "For as thru one man, Adam, all men sinned - so thru one man, Jesus, salvation came to all."
PK...I have what might very well be a stupid question. Do you think that an eternity in perfection will ever be boring? I think 1000 years of learning and exploring and serving and in fellowship is exciting, but the rest of eternity...forever... Also, if we had one Lucifer, whose to say there will not be another. I don't know...maybe I think too much, but surely others wonder the same thing. I know we won't be playing harps all day, but you know what I mean, don't you?
PS...I like your cup half full analogy... It's still exciting when I get shivers when I pray! :)
All I can tell you on that is to 'stick to the Bible.' It only speaks of one devil. Nobody ever asks if there's another awesome GOD out there, but people are always asking if there's another DEVIL. Why is that?
As far as 'boring' goes - we'll be in the presence of God and we cannot begin to imagine what it will be like. We will never tire of it. We'll just have to wait and see.
Eternity is already in the cards for every person - no matter what. Two choices. 'Boring' or 'suffering.' Pick one.
I ask because God is perfect and He never makes a wrong choice, but there is only one God. And that's not us, so I just wondered.
Ummm...very good point about eternity. I don't think God will be boring, but for eternity, will we run out of things to do... probably not. Sorry...you know the saying, curiousity killed the cat? I am the cat sometimes. :) Enquiring minds want to know.... I sure wish Jesus was here, so I could probe His mind. BUT He would probably speak in parables, that I don't always get...
Hmmmm...I pick GLORIOUS, FULL-OF-LIGHT-AND-JOY BORING!!!
:~)
I don't say this with any ill-will -- it's just an observation -- but it is curious to note that even when we talk about HEAVEN, we're kind of self-focused. "What am I going to get out of it? Is it going to be fun for me? Will I have anything to do?"
Heaven was made for us, but it was made for us to enjoy GOD forever. I just find it interesting how easily we move to an inward view of most everything ... even heaven.
I see your point, PK. Yes, I am wondering what exactly I might do there. I love to serve, but if everything is perfect...who will be in need...I have a heart to help the homeless and hungry, in this world. Your posts remind me to get back to it, as soon as possible. I am happy in my life and I work hard at my job, but I can definitely be of more use to the Kingdom. And I am sure that God will have things for me to do, based on my abilities and heart.
I definitely want to sit at Jesus' feet and just soak up everything He has to say. I love to learn new things...wonder if we will have computers...lol?
I think at times it is easier to see things from the perpsective of what we know. There is so much about God that I don't understand, so it's hard to imagine what it might be like, but it is wonderful to imagine. I love to ponder how all things affect one another in our world, so I can imagine that God will be a continual source of amazement.
Hey, thanks, PK, for answering some of my questions! I appreciate it...
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