Spring 1992

Food For Thought
Wade E Taylor

Some time ago, I was reflecting upon the fact that the buildings at Pinecrest were in need of extensive repairs and that we are so close to the end of the age that it would be almost impossible for this to be done.

As these thoughts were going through my mind, an impression formed within me that "This is indeed the time of the END for the world system as it is. However, it is the time of the BEGINNING for the Kingdom of God. I felt the Lord impressing me that "This is not an ending for the Lord's people, rather it is the beginning."

This caused me to change my perspective and vision. I began to understand that we are to view the future in the light of the birthing of the Kingdom age, rather than upon the closing out of the Gentile age.

The Lord is using these present earthly stresses and times of sufferings to test and to perfect those who have made Him their Lord. He has been qualifying a corporate body of overcomers who will become partakers with Him in the "age to come." We are approaching the point of transition into this new day. Our Lord will indeed return to this earth to establish His Kingdom, and to rule for a millennial day.

At this present time, the Lord is gathering a people unto Himself and is establishing His government within them. These are exhorted, "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" Matt 6:33. Notice that the Kingdom which is to be sought after includes "His righteousness." This will separate us from many present day movements.

The so called "new age movement" is marked by a freedom from restraint. It seeks the supernatural apart from righteousness, repentance, and anew birth. It attempts to attain to God apart from redemption through the blood of Jesus and without any submission to, or acknowledgement of, the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Our seeking FIRST the Kingdom of God has been set before us as a primary goal, after we have been genuinely saved, water baptized, and filled with His Holy Spirit. As we become submissive to the rule of His government within us, not only will our lives be changed, but all things that relate to us will be greatly affected. When His Kingdom has become our first priority, then "all these things shall be rightly added unto us."

His Kingdom will not be brought to earth through our running for some political office. This is good, if we have been called by our Lord to do so. But this in itself will not bring about His Kingdom. This is external; His Kingdom is internal. "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the Kingdom of God is WITHIN you" Luke 17:21.

Our seeking of His Kingdom must begin with true repentance and a total submission to His rule over our lives. As we are born again from above and truly submit to His Kingdom rule in its full sway over our daily life experience, His Kingdom will indeed have come to (our) earth. First, it must find its full working within us and then it will work through us, affecting and changing others.

Only when Jesus returns will the prayer He taught His disciples, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done IN earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt 6:10)find its full outworking.

His will shall be done ON (imposed throughout) the earth through the Kingdom rule of those who have already fully allowed it to be done IN their earth.