The Coming Kingdom: Part 4

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first (Matthew 19:27-30).

When the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is established on the earth, at a time yet to come, the righteous men and women of all the ages, from the time of Adam until the Lord’s return, will reign with Him. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him (Daniel 7:27; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 20:4).

The nation of Israel, which has suffered beyond measure since their expulsion from the Promised Land (586 B.C.), will be restored to the land promised them through Abraham. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:29). This is the promise of Jesus to Peter who asked, See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have? In Mark 10:30 Jesus included the words, shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age.

Many of us know from experience that when we came to faith in Jesus Christ many things in our life changed - including our relationships. Many times salvation turns a person’s family and closest friends against him/her. Even today among the Jews and Muslims, when a person comes to faith in Jesus, he/she is disinherited, shunned, banished from the family, regarded as dead, and, in some extreme cases in the Muslim community, they are killed. But the one who honors Jesus Christ above all human relationships will not only inherit eternal life, but also the family of God in this present life and in the life to come.

The Christian is blessed beyond measure. There are blessings to enjoy now in this life, blessings beyond measure in the Millennial Kingdom that is yet to come, and blessings greater than all these throughout all eternity. To become poor for the sake of Jesus Christ here is to become rich in Jesus Christ now and forever.

“What a wonderful thought that we should inherit with You the kingdoms of the earth and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You, Father, for such grace, love, mercy, and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. May Your name be praised forever, Amen.”

Pastor