BETWEEN THE LINES

THE PARABLE OF THE KING AND HIS KINGDOM

Exclusive: Joseph Farah asks, how can one 'seek' something without knowing what it is?

“And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.”

– Luke 19:11

Jesus spoke often of the Coming Kingdom.

But how often do you hear messages about it in church today?

Sometimes I wonder how many Christians even know what the Kingdom is all about.

Yet, Jesus told us: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

How does one first seek the Kingdom without understanding what it is?

Was Jesus talking about heaven? I’ve heard it said that most Christians are so heavenly minded they do no earthly good.

Did you know mankind was not made for heaven, but for life on Earth? Did you know that the Earth must be redeemed in the Coming Kingdom over which Jesus will reign for a thousand years? And, after that, did you know that God will create a new heaven and a new Earth?

In my new book, “The Restitution of All Things: Israel, Christians and the End of the Age,” I focus a great deal of attention exploring this Kingdom, examining what life will be like in an attempt to get believers seeking it – “first,” as Jesus commanded.

How can we seek something if we don’t understand it? Did you know the Bible is full of insights about the Kingdom? Did you know that every prophet wrote about it?

In fact, that’s where I got the title for the book. In Acts 3:20-21, Peter says, speaking of the Second Coming, “And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Emphasis added.)

If, indeed, all the prophets since the world began spoke of this Kingdom, the times of the restitution of all things, and Jesus said to seek it first, it must be pretty important. Right?

Then why, with all the prophecy books published every year, do so few of them even mention it? And why are there so few sermons given that address it? Why do so few Bible studies focus on it?

Why did Jesus say to seek it first? Why did all the prophets write about it? Why is the Bible replete with references to it?

Because God wants us to prepare ourselves for life in the Kingdom. That’s what this life is all about.

Why does He want us to prepare for it? And how do we do that?

We get a glimpse of why in the Parable of the King and His Kingdom, which is another way of saying Luke 19:11-21.

Jesus tells the story of what was to happen to Him after His death and resurrection. He was like “a certain nobleman” who would leave for a far country to await His Coming Kingdom before His return.”

He equipped His servants with His teachings and told them, “Occupy till I come.” When He returned He judged their works and their obedience. Notice He didn’t tell them, “Just keep Me in your heart and I will whisk you off to be raptured to heaven.” He gave them responsibility – to carry on His work. Those who bore much fruit were rewarded. Those who did not were judged harshly, even slain.

Jesus warned us about this when He said in Matthew 7:14, “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” He goes on to say, later in Matthew 7:21-23: 

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

In other words, the Kingdom is not going to be overpopulated.

Wouldn’t you think our chances of making it in the Kingdom are better off if we understand it?

I’m convinced that’s the case. He wants us to know what awaits. He wants us focused on it like a laser beam. He wants to tell us, in that day, “Well done, thou good servant.”

In other words, He wants us to be spiritually prepared.

I can tell you this: Knowing what is coming tells us much about what we should be doing today.

If you are a follower of Jesus, do you know what He wants you to do? Do you know what He has in store for you – not in heaven, but right here on Earth, in His Coming Kingdom? It’s time to find out.

Video: Joseph Farah introduces his latest book:

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2017/04/the-parable-of-the-king-and-his-kingdom/#BDyzlPaolA2VULuS.99