In Genesis 1:27-28, God vested the authority to rule over creation to men. Man was to have dominion over creation (Psalm 115:16) but that dominion was handed over to Satan when Adam fell into sin. Under the rule of Satan, creation (things and possessions) decays and deteriorates. In Luke 4:5-7, in the temptation of Jesus, Satan had reiterated his authority over creation. Satan knew that Jesus had come to take back what was lost and he wanted Jesus to worship him. However, Jesus paid the price legally on the cross for the redemption of man. Being crucified and now resurrected, Jesus has restored what was rightfully the inheritance of man that is to exercise dominion over earth. And as children of God, we are restored to be His agents of restoration for the world.
In Romans 8:19, 21, creation awaits to be restored and the church is deemed ‘too slow’ in the restoration that will bring healing to her. As believers, we are to spread the Gospel of His Kingdom – to receive salvation, restoration and protection through Jesus. Believing in the Good News will cause people to break away from Satan’s hold. In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, there are those who are blinded from what the Gospel reveals of God’s goodness. Many do not know the goodness of God because the enemy is trying to cover up the truth.
Jesus preached that the Gospel of the Kingdom involves preaching of the Good News and healing (Matthew 4:23). In Matthew 3:2, it says ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near’. Repentance is not remorse alone but a change of mindset in order to know the ‘Kingdom’. Our minds are being renewed and we are to demonstrate the Gospel so that people can see and recognise the work of Jesus – and by faith we have become His children through our repentance and belief in the Good News (Mark 1:15).
We should not resist but partner with Him through the end times. We must not fear but partner with Him for there will be a shaking of the heavens (Hebrews 12:26). We have to put on our pair of Kingdom lens which is to interpret truths rightly and to understand the times that we live in, so as to partner with God in the Great Commission. We might have focused on getting people to ‘convert’ to Christianity and have forgotten to live up to the reality of the Kingdom of God which is to reveal the glory of God here on earth. Where the Kingdom of God is, there will be kingdom outcomes such as God’s righteousness, holiness, peace, joy, etc. We submit to His Commission that is to preach the Good News and pray for the sick (Mark 16:15-18).
Discussion Questions
1. Pastor John Koe mentioned that the church has focused on getting people saved instead of talking about the Gospel of the Kingdom. Share briefly what is the Gospel of the Kingdom like? [15 min]
2. Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14b-15, NASB). Why the need to repent? [10 min]
3. How do you think you can partner with God and carry out His Great Commission at wherever you are now? [15min]
