Last Monday’s Point of View was my Easter message. You’ve probably heard a number of those epic recountings of the “shot heard ‘round the world:” the after-effects of the Resurrection are the basis for the Christian faith. Granted: my spin was on the day-after, but it hit your inbox about the same time that the headlines about a dead pope came within hours of the celebrations of a Risen Savior. This is a take-away that I think you ought to think about…
My clever recast of the Eternal Kingdom as the macro-model of our own political cycles was the essential core of my time with you. It was my attempt to follow Jesus’ recurrent use of parables: painting eternal truths using word pictures from our experience in our fallen world.
Let me throw this retrospective scene back into play, just to make sure you heard me:
Easter was the “election”: the Resurrection was the resounding victory. The God of this World has been out-ranked by the King of Kings/Lord of Lords. The results have been tabulated; it’s done.
Now, Satan is the lame-duck, out to exercise his waning authority to the max, leading up to the invisible version of the inauguration, which is the Second Coming of the King. When He comes, it’s game-over for the conflict.
His administration will be put into office; leaders at every level will be installed – in spots they earned through faithful service to Him (between the Resurrection and the Return). The new power structure will be in place… forever.
Easter commemorates the electoral landslide. We’re in the time-warp between the conclusion and the beginning! Let’s get busy and secure our spots in the New Earth line-up!
This week’s installment of my Point of View isn’t just another word-for-the-week piece that would hope to give you a little “burst” of spiritual juice that will carry you through a week of Dow peaks/plummets and political fire-fights: this has been my life message for the last 25 years, and it’s what I’d want you to remember about me if I exit before you.
Jesus had just challenged the Rich Young Ruler to break from his privileged paradigm and hit a massive reset of his lifetime purpose; it raised the appropriate question from Peter and the other guys in the Inner Circle: was it foolish to make Jesus’ Kingdom life’s priority at the expense of other options?
“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first’” — Matthew 19:28-30
Here’s the deal, my friend: When Jesus returns to set up his earthly – and eternal – Kingdom, He’ll be establishing the org-chart for His forever team. Just like our world has operated, most will be working in the lower levels of the enterprise; climbing up through the ranks will see an increase in authority and a decrease in positions. Far more people at the bottom of the pyramid than at the top.
Hundreds of New Testament verses summarized without compromise: the best spots in Eternity will be earned by people willing to sacrifice short-term experience for long-term promotion.
The Enemy-inspired exception to that truth that Jesus clarified is frequent: “That cannot be true! In God’s Kingdom, everyone will be equal! If you think you can earn positions and rewards in this lifetime, you’re corrupting the integrity of God’s grace (by definition: unmerited favor).”
Salvation comes through God’s grace; there is no question or compromise on that foundational truth. But… positions in God’s Kingdom and the resources available in the tangible New Earth that you’ll inhabit forever will be earned through faithful – and, sacrificial – service to Him, now.
We’re serving the King of Kings… elect. The God of this World is the lame-duck loser. He knows he’s been overthrown… and the Victor is coming back to reclaim what’s His!
What spot will He have for you in His new administration? The answer is up to you!
Bob Shank
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Have you published some lists of resources to both discover and develop one’s Ephesians 2:10 kingdom calling? If so, please email same to me. Thank you.
Thanks Bob for speaking truth re reprogramming our finite perspective to the infinite —
“the best spots in Eternity will be earned by people willing to sacrifice short-term experience for long-term promotion.”
To be in sync with His Ways, Thoughts and Mind requires a Master reprogramming from our finite earthbound frequency to an infinite boundaryless alignment and purpose reset. His Mind in us beats AI by light years and assures a much more desirable outcome without fear and uncertainty. His “Force Code” is the Mode to our designed optimal purpose and fulfillment.
Great summary of the issues, opportunity and challenge Bob! Hey can you reach out to me via email at michael@dmhaa.com? Love to connect and catch up… exciting things happening!
Blessings!
Mike
I love the charge to go all-in in whatever calling God has placed each of us! No more religiosity–the spectator faith. Faith without works is dead. The enemy is desperately trying to cling to any vestige of hope that can be mustered through his proxies in this world. But, as the Lord said in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world! And, , John 1:5, The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it! Hallelujah.