By Larry Ray Hafley
When one is delivered from the dominion of darkness and from the domain of the Devil, he is separated from this present evil world and translated or transported into the kingdom of Christ (Col.1:13). This spiritual transaction is the result of the gospel. Its work is within the heart and conscience. Consequently, the kingdom of Christ knows no artificial or arbitrary boundaries. Mighty mountains and sprawling seas are bridged and spanned by the moral message, and the spiritual power of God, the gospel. Due to the universal range and scope of the gospel, there are no barriers of race, culture or country that impede the character, influence or destiny of the kingdom of God.
Emperors of the earth base their authority in armies. Their reigns are initiated with great pomp and perpetuated by physical might. But the kingdom of Christ was born in weakness, spawned in shame, founded near His grace and bought with His blood. A moral and spiritual kingdom over hearts that are convicted, converted, and comforted forbids attack and assault by the arsenals of men. Kings have long sought security behind impregnable walls and impenetrable fortresses, but all have been overcome. No force, however, has ever moved the foundation of Jesus Christ, and no weapon has ever shaken or cracked the walls of His kingdom “which cannot be moved.”
A kingdom is measured, in part, by the character of its king. Thus, the kingdom of God’s dear Son shall stand forever. The King of kings and Lord of lords withstood every fierce and fiery force which sought to overthrow His position and power. The price of the power of the air hurled the might and muscle of temptation, sin and death at King Jesus, but He deftly avoided every arrow. His armor blunted every blow. In the throes of agony, he descended into the depths of death, wrenched open the bars of the dungeon of darkness, and fanned the flame of life eternal. Stepping forth from the grave, He grasped the torch of righteousness, abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Tim. 1:20).
The mighty power of God that raised and released Him also inaugurated and coronated Him at the throne of the majesty on high. Now He sits. Now He reigns as angels, authorities, principalities and powers are beneath the scepter and sphere of His eternal power and Godhead. Are you a citizen of this kingdom? You must be subject to the gospel before you can be a subject the kingdom. From His kingly throne, based on the integrity of His mediatorial priesthood, Jesus announces and pronounces the terms and conditions of citizenship in His holy, heavenly kingdom. And what are the terms? Essentially, it is this: unconditional surrender – no enemy, no alien is allowed access who will not renounce and denounce every other oath and allegiance (Lk. 6:46; 9:23). “Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaver; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
Will you accept and obey that will? Your eternal destiny sways in the balance. Then, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, you will meet the Lord in the air, go down the hallway of eternity, sweeping through the portals of paradise, and be ushered into His presence to praise His name during that endless day. What a glad hope! What a grand and great expectation! Obey the gospel, serve Him faithfully and enjoy the bliss of that everlasting kingdom forever and ever.
Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 20, p. 624
October 18, 1984