By Jim Mettenbrink
We continue considering the radical entrance into Jesus’ kingdom that He established after He left the earth. That in itself is radical – a nonvisible king in a visible kingdom. Actually, His kingdom is virtually invisible too, at least on earth – No palace or throne, no army or courts, no royal guard, and no administration. But the apostle Paul refers to Jesus’ kingdom as having subjects, i.e., earthbound citizens – God the Father “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:12-13). And he calls those subjects citizens (Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20). That this kingdom is invisible is revealed that the citizenship is in heaven (Php 3:20) – no earthly royal records. And Jesus’ throne is in heaven (Acts 2:30-34; Revelation 4:1-5:14).
As the Bible closes and Jesus’ kingdom is presented to the Father on His throne. “…only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” will be allowed in the kingdom of heaven (Rev 21:22-27). Who are they and how do they become citizens of heaven? Are people forced to be citizens, like earthly kingdoms?
Paul wrote that God “…calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). So we have a choice whether to accept the call to be a citizen. Volunteers only! How? Phone call from heaven? “He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess 2:14). What is this Gospel?
Paul explained, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the gospel, literally “good news.”
Paul goes on to say, “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess 1:9). Those who do not obey the gospel are not citizens nor will be in heaven. How does one obey the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus?