The Message of The Kingdom -- by Wade E. Taylor
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Forum Name: Old Kingdom/Revival/Apostolic Articles 2002 - 2007
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Printed Date: 01/17/2017 at 12:31pm
Topic: The Message of The Kingdom -- by Wade E. Taylor
Posted By: Moderator
Subject: The Message of The Kingdom -- by Wade E. Taylor
Date Posted: 10/15/2009 at 7:06pm
The Message of The Kingdom -- by Wade E. Taylor
Jesus began His ministry with these words,
"The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe the Gospel." Mark 1:15.
His next words were to two fishermen while they were working at their trade.
"And Jesus said to them, Come after Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." Mark 1:17.
Here, the message of the Kingdom is being offered to these men through a practical application to their occupation. They had been fishers of fish. Now, Jesus is calling them to become fishers of men. Note carefully that they would continue fishing, but with a higher purpose in view. The Kingdom message in its functioning is intended to lift the earthly aspect of our present vocation into a higher realm and purpose.
The word "Kingdom" has often been misunderstood and misapplied. It has been relegated to a future millennium, or to heaven. However, the claim of the Kingdom that Jesus presented is meant to be a present reality.
It is to be both practical and effective in the every day life experience of all those who choose to submit to His Kingdom rule. Jesus did not imply that those who respond would be promoted into a place of rulership, or prominence. Rather, He expressed the coming of a Kingdom authority that would reign over the lives of all those who would submit to its message, "I will make you to become." To accomplish this, every aspect of our daily pattern of life will be affected.
This Kingdom that is being presented by Jesus is "at hand." It is not intended to find its function in some ethereal religious form or in a future hope. Rather, it is presented as being attainable and practical. That is, it will work in the immediate circumstances of all who respond. For us to enter this Kingdom, we must embrace and submit to the rule of God, and recognize the LORD Jesus Christ as our personal King. Then we must place everything that pertains to us in subjection to His Kingdom rule.
Jesus said, "Come ye after Me." If our lives are as they were before salvation, plus the "salt" of religion, we are falling far short of His claim upon us and His desire for us, and we will be unable to abide or function in the place of His calling.
At this present time, Jesus is establishing His Church in Divine order and authority. Things that the Lord once winked at in the past will no longer be left unchallenged in our lives. Everything that can be shaken is shaking, until it has been reduced to the place where it will be able to submit to His Kingdom claim.
The Lord will no longer allow His people to remain in the realm of blessing alone. He is causing us to acknowledge the claim of His Kingdom upon our lives. He is bringing each of us to the place where we must make a decision as to what we will do with this "Kingdom," which He said "is at hand." In its present form, the outworking of it will be manifested within us as "righteousness, and peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17. All else will pass away.
Do not draw back. Accept what Jesus is saying to you, and then press into this Kingdom. |
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