Articles
A Kingdom That Shall Never Be Destroyed
History is remarkably repetitive. Like a broken record, the same story unfolds itself century after century: A nation rises to prominence, wealth, and power. It has a golden age in which it becomes convinced it is the last great power. Gradually, internal weakness and external force bring the nation crumbling down.
It is in the context of great nations, kingdoms and empires that Daniel prophesies: “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever”(Dan 2:44). Babylon, great as it was, would fall. Persia, with its pomp and grandeur, would soon weaken. Greece, the flash in the pan empire, was incredible for a moment, then faded. Rome had sustained, near-universal success—but eventually crumbled. Yet God’s kingdom will never—never!—have a fall!
Jesus came to establish a kingdom, and attached to that kingdom are incredible promises. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”(Matt 16:18). Death will rear its ugly head at its citizens, but this kingdom will not be overcome. They will belong to Jesus even through death.
Other kingdoms might be upset, troubled, and toppled, but Jesus’ never will. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear”(Heb 12:28). Since this kingdom will never be shaken, we need grace to enable us to serve as grateful, submissive, respectful citizens.
The impact of this teaching is that the conditions that cause such turmoil in our lives are incapable of affecting the most important fact about us. Other people, with the mistakes they make and pain they induce, cannot keep us from being kingdom citizens. Sickness, joblessness, grief, poverty, and injustice cannot shake the kingdom of God. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”(Rom 8:38-39).
Take a moment to praise your all-powerful King!
