Kingdom Truth - What is the Kingdom of Heaven in the Bible?
Chapter 2, Part 5
The Reason for the Initiation of the Kingdom
Whenever the author preaches the truth of the Kingdom, it always happens that some in the audience would think that this message is too mysterious and too good to be true. Perhaps it is an exaggeration? The reason is that they feel that fallen man is not worthy to enjoy such a blessing at all. How can the glorious Lord allow the insignificant man to take part in His reign? This is just like some elderly sisters would say to their pastor's wife, "What the Pastor preached is only too good! We are not worthy. If we can just sweep the floor in heaven, it would be good enough!" In reality, if heaven needs to be swept, there are angels who can do a better job! There is no need for them. Is it not so? Therefore, many people either cast God's desire in making man into the deep blue sea or misinterpret these Scripture passages according to their own intention. As a result, these eternal truths became materialistic events. How unfortunate it is!
In fact, the reason for the initiation of the Kingdom is God's love. It is because God is love! All normal love will extend and will share with others in materials and in actions. Because love has to be extended, normal love cannot be enjoyed alone for personal gratification or pleasure. It has to be shared in order to have peace of mind and without regret. As for the object of love, it can be a person, a thing, a matter, an ideology, a faith... Action refers to an expression or activity generated by love towards the beloved object. Since God is love, that love needs to be extended externally. Who is the object of the extension? The most common answer is "man" because the Scriptures say, "God so loved the people of the world"! But man is a subsequent creation; God's love is inherent in God. So before man was made, whom did God love? Thanks be to the gracious Lord, for He said to the heavenly Father; ''Thou didst love Me before the foundation of the world!" Through this, we come to know that in eternity there is the love between the Father and the Son! Since normal love must have action, what is the action of the Father to the Son? The Scriptures say, ''The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand." (John 3:35) No wonder the Scriptures say, "All things have been created by Him and for Him" (Col. 1 :16), and "...His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things" (Heb. 1:2)! Praise God!
The Father loves the Son. The Son has the Father's love but He did not monopolize it. He extended it to us! This is why He said, "Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you." (John 15:9) We often think that the gracious Lord loves us because He pities us! Not so! The love He loves us with is the Father's love towards Him. What a majestic revelation! Since His love is the Father's love, the action of His love is also the same as the action of His Father towards Him. Therefore He said, "Just as the Father has granted Me a Kingdom, I grant you My Kingdom." (Luke 22:29) These two "Just as" really causes us to bow down and worship God! The reason for granting us the Kingdom is no other than Christ's love in action! It is not mysterious nor an exaggeration. It is merely His exceedingly abundant love! Thank God, the universe was created for Him as well as for us. The Father desired that He inherit all things and we should also inherit all things with Him. Nothing is impossible with love! Since Christ has such a high regard for us, how can we disappoint Him?
Chapter 2, Part 5
Shepherd His Sheep
