THE END AND THE KINGDOM

INTRODUCTION

Our text presents us with a number of critical end-time occurences that parallels today! Matthew the disciple records Jesus along with His disciples after leaving the temple courts and delivering a discourse (Mt. 23) of "7 Woes" against the Scribes and Pharisees, in addition to His dismay of Jerusalem (Mt. 23:37-38).

The disciples seemed a bit perplexed and probably inattentive as so many of us are today; they are easily distracted and thereby engaged by the beauty, grandeur, and symbolism of the Temple buildings thus calling on the LORD to note their splendor, but to their surprise Jesus is not impressed and reveals the Temples Doom.

My brother and sister, if you're thinking anything like I may, religion as well as the Church today seems to be running a similar path; a course of rejecting or excluding the coming King who is Savior. Whether you're on the inside looking out or on the outside looking in, it is quite evident we're in the midst of an irrevocable change.

Consequently, the Church as we once knew it, will no longer be the same. But, let me tell you the truth, the identity crisis in which the Church and Christianity as a whole is facing, is no surprise to the LORD. Moreover, it is a prolongation of the eschatological plan and purpose of God ushering in the New Age. I want to use a topic today, The End and the Kingdom of God; as a subtopic, Transformation in Transition.

I. THE END

Most of us in our custom utilize the phrase "The End" quite loosely, we tend to think of it as the final or conclusion to a person, place, thing, idea, or circumstance that halts immediately.

In many instances it may seem so, however when we read the Bible and we tap in on the instances and happenings (occurrences) relative to "The End" we find that it's only the succession to the new. Take for instance the words of Solomon-known as the wisest man noted in the Old Testament, "Better is the end of a thing [than the beginning] thereof: and the patient in spirit is better [than the proud] in spirit." (Ec. 7:8)

The key word in this text is "better", which gives us hope for the after or signifies more to come, and in this case ... better! Apparently Solomon had some experience and revelation that there was something more to life than what appeared.

Signs of the End Times

Furthermore, in our text today Jesus in around 33 A.D. (at the End of His course) presents to us the signs of the End of the Age, yet today we are still (or should I say suppose to be) propagating and proclaiming the same Gospel Message. Matthew 24:14 notes, "And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

Incidentally, this End is eschatological and speaks of the End Times or the prophetic WORD of God becoming revelatory in a time or season to come.

In other words, the WORD of the LORD is drawing nigh and the Church as a whole is protracting (gravitating to purpose) to fulfil time. And what is that purpose? "The KOG ... that is, The Kingdom of God!

So, in spite of what it looks like with the natural eye and the carnal mind, God's plan is on time and on target.

Are we ready and do we really understand the time?

If not, the Church could really experience some turbulence!

Now is the time, the Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.

Matthew 24:33–35 Wordstudy KJV

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all [these things,] know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all [these things] be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall [pass away,] but my words shall not [pass away.]

IN CLOSING

Moreover, we see the days approaching even more so today with signs of the time that the End of an Age is imminent as Christianity, the Church (organization), and the World at Large grapples with prevalent issues and challenges that can no longer be ignored.

However, “The good news must first be proclaimed throughout the entire world and everyone must hear the invitation to God’s New World.”

So, the End is Near, you've heard it before and evidently we're at another stage of it called The Transition, and that's what we're in the midst of ... a Transition,

I'm talking about "The End and The Kingdom" (Transformation in Transition).

Matthew 24:33 Wordstudy KJV

So likewise ye, when ye shall see all [these things,] know that it is near, even at the doors.