Throughout the scriptures a stark
contrast is made between the kingdoms of this world and the
kingdom of God. The kingdoms of this world wax
and wane, and kings come and go according to the good pleasure
of God. He changeth the times and the seasons, he removeth
kings, and setteth up kings. All governments ultimately fail
because that is the design of God for them, that the eternal
nature of his kingdom might be contrasted thereby, that the
living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of
men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over
it the basis of men. All that can be seen with the
natural eye is temporary and passes away, while we look not
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not
seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things
which are not seen are eternal. The Lord plainly declared to
Pilate the origin and nature of his kingdom. My kingdom is
not of this world. An inability to comprehend this
very principle manifests the blindness of Israel to embrace
and worship the Messiah as he walked among them. It is also
the inability to comprehend this same principle which manifests
itself in those religious Gentiles who try to interpret Bible prophecy
in a carnal fashion and look for a kingdom of flesh and blood
replete with real estate and earthly conquest. The triumph
of Christ over the kingdoms of this world is complete, and having
spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly,
triumphing over them in it. He did this in his work on Calvary's
cross, blotting out the hand-drag of ordinances that was against
us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing
it to his cross. He manifests that triumph as
he calls those which are his out of every nation upon the
earth. He calls his own sheep by name, and the voice of another
shepherd they will not follow. Thus those who are awakened by
his Spirit and born from above by his almighty power are thus
translated from a satisfaction with this present world to a
longing for that kingdom wherein dwelleth righteousness. This
is manifested by way of illustration of Lot. According to the carnal
standards of men, it would be impossible for them to see Lot
as being a righteous man. Yet those who are the subjects
of Christ's kingdom are made just by the Lord's righteousness
and not by their own. These awakened sons of God confess
that they look for a city which has foundations, whose builder
and maker is God. This new creature groans and
prevails and desires that which the natural creation has no knowledge
of, nor any desire after. Those who are born from above
desire not a continuation of the present world order, but
rather a deliverance from it. In this desire they are given
a hope in the resurrection of Christ, that they too shall be
raised in a body which is incorruptible and fadeth not away. While the
natural man would like to be delivered from death, his desire
for life is that he might continue on in fulfilling the carnal desires
of his heart. The man who is born of the Spirit,
however, has his affections set upon those things which cannot
pass away, even as Paul exhorts the Colossians. If ye then be
risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where
Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. We have here no continuing
city. Our Lord Jesus Christ is that
city not made with hands. For we know that if our earthly
house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building
of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with
our house which is from heaven. If so be that being clothed,
we shall not be found naked. We desire to be clothed with
his righteousness and not that of our own. He is our covering. We have here no continuing city.
That city which we long to inhabit is ruled by him. Of the increase
of his government and peace there shall be no end. Upon the throne
of David and upon his kingdom to order it, to establish it
with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.
He rules in this kingdom not for a mere thousand years, but
forever. We have here no continuing city.
That city which we expect to inhabit is one wherein dwelleth
hope. God our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.
For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye
heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which is
come unto you as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth
fruit as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it,
and knew the grace of God in truth. We have here no continuing
city. That city of which we are the
inhabitants is enhanced by nothing in this earthly realm. And I
saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb
are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the
sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of
God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. What city
are you looking for? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at 4the4 at windstream dot net.