Sermon Devotional: Your Kingdom Come
Sermon Title: Your Kingdom Come
Scripture: Revelation 11:15-19; Luke 11:2 (ESV)
In our sermon series on the book of Revelation, this week we come to the very center of the book, chapters 10 and 11. Some have said that John structured the Book of Revelation chiastically (a literary structure where the ‘main point’ is centered). This appears to be the case as Revelation 11:15-19 is arguably the ‘main event’ of Revelation and indeed of all redemptive history.
This is the event that Jesus told us to pray for – “And he said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come’” (Luke 11:2).
Jesus inaugurated this Kingdom when He came to earth the first time. Once, when He cast out some demons, He said, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matt 12:28).
He could have said that after every miracle He performed. Jesus’ miracles not only demonstrated who He is, they also demonstrated what the Kingdom of God is like. In this case, the Kingdom is where there are no more demons. Other miracles fit into the following Kingdom categories – no more disease (countless healings!), no more disaster (“peace be still!” (Mk 4:39), no more death (“Lazarus come out!” (Jn 11:43).
After Jesus accomplished His mission here by dying on the cross for our sins, rising from the tomb on the third day (defeating death), He ascended back to Heaven where He reigns at the right hand of the Father. BUT, opposition still exists. Satan is still the ruler of the kingdom of this world. And he rages because he knows his time is short. It is still a world under the curse. It is still a world characterized by disease, disaster and death. But that is going to change dramatically when Jesus returns and ushers in the event described in Revelation 11:15-19!
Jesus will consummate His Kingdom on earth, banishing Satan and his followers forever. Every vestige of the curse will be reversed and banished forever as well. No more disease, no more disaster, no more death! We will be together in a restored body on a restored planet forever. But most importantly we will be with God, in His presence, face to face, again.
This incredible passage closes with an Old Testament image that sums up what the main event means for us. Revelation 11:19 says, “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple.” The temple (specifically the Holy of Holies where the ark was located), signified God’s presence. Only a high priest could go in there once a year (and even that was dicey!). Not anymore. And how do we ‘get in?’ Let us never forget the price paid for us to ‘regain access’ to God. Meditate on Matthew 27:50-51, which describes THE main event of our salvation – “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split” (Mt 27:50-51).
What can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Consider—
╬ How does longing for and praying for His Kingdom to come impact your daily life and attitude? Do you hesitate to pray for Christ’s Kingdom to Come? Or is this one of your passionate and urgent prayers?
╬ Our access to God and our union with Christ was unfathomably costly for Jesus. Remember. Make a list of what it cost for us to regain access to a perfect, holy, righteous, merciful, loving God. Then, consider what it costs us to enter into the access of fellowship with God that Jesus bought for us? Surrender your heart and life, your self-determination, your will.
╬ Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done here on earth, and in my life today, as it is in heaven. This is our prayer, Lord. This is Your amazing promise! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Scripture: Revelation 11:15-19; Luke 11:2 (ESV)
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
In our sermon series on the book of Revelation, this week we come to the very center of the book, chapters 10 and 11. Some have said that John structured the Book of Revelation chiastically (a literary structure where the ‘main point’ is centered). This appears to be the case as Revelation 11:15-19 is arguably the ‘main event’ of Revelation and indeed of all redemptive history.
This is the event that Jesus told us to pray for – “And he said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come’” (Luke 11:2).
Jesus inaugurated this Kingdom when He came to earth the first time. Once, when He cast out some demons, He said, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matt 12:28).
He could have said that after every miracle He performed. Jesus’ miracles not only demonstrated who He is, they also demonstrated what the Kingdom of God is like. In this case, the Kingdom is where there are no more demons. Other miracles fit into the following Kingdom categories – no more disease (countless healings!), no more disaster (“peace be still!” (Mk 4:39), no more death (“Lazarus come out!” (Jn 11:43).
After Jesus accomplished His mission here by dying on the cross for our sins, rising from the tomb on the third day (defeating death), He ascended back to Heaven where He reigns at the right hand of the Father. BUT, opposition still exists. Satan is still the ruler of the kingdom of this world. And he rages because he knows his time is short. It is still a world under the curse. It is still a world characterized by disease, disaster and death. But that is going to change dramatically when Jesus returns and ushers in the event described in Revelation 11:15-19!
Jesus will consummate His Kingdom on earth, banishing Satan and his followers forever. Every vestige of the curse will be reversed and banished forever as well. No more disease, no more disaster, no more death! We will be together in a restored body on a restored planet forever. But most importantly we will be with God, in His presence, face to face, again.
This incredible passage closes with an Old Testament image that sums up what the main event means for us. Revelation 11:19 says, “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple.” The temple (specifically the Holy of Holies where the ark was located), signified God’s presence. Only a high priest could go in there once a year (and even that was dicey!). Not anymore. And how do we ‘get in?’ Let us never forget the price paid for us to ‘regain access’ to God. Meditate on Matthew 27:50-51, which describes THE main event of our salvation – “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split” (Mt 27:50-51).
What can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Consider—
╬ How does longing for and praying for His Kingdom to come impact your daily life and attitude? Do you hesitate to pray for Christ’s Kingdom to Come? Or is this one of your passionate and urgent prayers?
╬ Our access to God and our union with Christ was unfathomably costly for Jesus. Remember. Make a list of what it cost for us to regain access to a perfect, holy, righteous, merciful, loving God. Then, consider what it costs us to enter into the access of fellowship with God that Jesus bought for us? Surrender your heart and life, your self-determination, your will.
╬ Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done here on earth, and in my life today, as it is in heaven. This is our prayer, Lord. This is Your amazing promise! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.