By Dave Breese

There is a condition of our time which is ignored by many believers and unknown to many others. That condition could well be summed up in a single sentence, “It is coming, but we are not in the kingdom yet.”

The present condition of our world is well described by the Apostle Paul when he said, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:22,23).

In saying this, Paul points up a truth that will be ignored only at our own peril. He reminds us of the fact that creation is not yet the object of divine redemption. The ultimate redemption and transformation of the external world is in the program of God, but “not yet.”

While many attempt to convince themselves into believing otherwise, the fact is that we still travail in pain while we move through this unredeemed world. We have not yet been delivered from suffering and physical death.

We do not understand this unless we understand the nature of personal salvation. When I receive Christ as my Savior, my spirit is instantly “saved to the uttermost.” I am given the gift of everlasting life. We know that we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, but we forget that redemption up until this point applies only to the spirit of man and not yet to his physical body. In fact, the whole creation still groans for that day of redemption, but it has not seen it as yet. Therefore, we are reminded in Scripture that “we are saved by hope” (Rom. 8:24). When we receive Christ, we have the “hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2). We are also saved from despair, depression, and despondency because we possess the hope that goes beyond the grave. We have been given a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

One of the grave problems of our time is that too many Christians (and too many denominations) have become tired of living on the basis of hope in Christ. Therefore, they have invented a theology and report a whole set of experiences which are the claim to fulfillment, rather than hope. In effect, they are fatigued with mere anticipation of the kingdom and have now started to publicly claim that “the kingdom is now.” “Kingdom now” theology has come upon us in strong fashion, producing reports of initial ecstasy. But then comes long-term despondency in the lives of the people who follow these doctrines.

“Kingdom now” theology claims that all of the promises made to anybody in the entire Bible are present possession of all believers in these moments of this life. Their foolish slogan is “name it and claim it.” Therefore, miracles, healing, financial riches, glowing health and life without problems are now promised by the unthinking leaders and given to naive Christians. The consequence is that multitudes of individuals, ignoring the teaching of the Word of God, claim to be experiencing personal riches, the solution to every problem, deliverance from the pressures of this world and all of this as a result of “claiming the promises.” Such theology, as against realizing the promises of Christ, ignores His promise. Jesus said to Christians, “In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).

Again and again, the New Testament Scriptures warn the believer against spiritual presumption. By presuming that “everything I want God will give to me,” they are denying the assertion of Scripture. The Bible says, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me” (Phil. 1:29,30). So it is that Paul promises that one of the gifts from God, which we seldom hear preached, is the gift of suffering for the sake of Christ. Why does suffering, sickness and death still continue in our world? The answer is that the kingdom is not yet. We are redeemed spiritual beings who live in an unredeemed world. Argue as we will, this is still the case. If we believe otherwise, we risk the possibility of severe disillusionment, which, of course, can lead to despair.

The promise we have now is the unfailing presence of Christ and His gift of sufficient grace. That gift, which is ours now, is the best of all!

The Christian and his Government
That is a relationship which is the object of great discussion in our time. Because the evangelical cause has greatly expanded in these days, the question presses all the stronger. “How much should a Christian be involved in political things?” is the subject of many an animated discussion.

There is a degree of involvement of which we can be very sure, for it is advocated in the Word of God. The Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy saying, “I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Tim. 2:1,2). So it is that earnest prayer for those in authority is recommended in the Word of God and can do nothing but good.

Therefore, let all of us be admonished to pray for the coming November election. We are to pray for the president and whoever may be president after November. We are to pray for the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Congress and others whose decisions may impact upon us. In that “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of,” we may see truly surprising results if the Christian community gives itself to earnest prayer. The Bible says, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:3,4). While praying, let us also pray for spiritual revival within our blessed land. While morals are at a low ebb, spiritual possibilities can be very great.

Hold Fast That Which is Good!
In a world that is beset by lies, forgeries,deception and spiritual seduction, the Saints of God are admonished to reject false doctrine and: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (I Thess. 5:21-24).

The signs of the times are indeed pointing to the soon return of Jesus Christ. The world is digging up new and tantalizing excuses from beneath “The Sands of Time,” by which it plans to reject the truth of the Gospel and prepare itself for the rise of Antichrist and his false world religion.

Don't let yourself be deceived by any clever concoction invented to weaken your faith in Jesus Christ. Rather, invest your time in studying the truth of the Word of God. Then, as these fleeting hours of the Last Days draw to an end, you can use your knowledge wisely as a competent, articulate witness for the Savior.

Jesus could come for us at any moment. Will the final chapter of the Age of Grace contain the story of our tireless labor for the Lord, and the marvelous victories we have won in His name? Let's continue to work together to tell a world the glorious truth that Jesus saves and is coming back again. I pray that we will!