The Simple Story

We all are affected by the way we are raised, by our parents and grandparents and by the religion, or beliefs about religion, to which we are exposed.  And what we learn is not always right; sometimes we must relearn...and be willing to relearn.  Another way of saying this is to say that we should be open-minded, open to hear, seeking the truth.  Hebrews 11:6 says, "...he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."  So must we all be always diligently seeking Him.

One basic principle that we see in the New Testament is the theme subject of the kingdom.  Jesus taught so much about the kingdom.  In Luke 10, He sent 70 of His followers out to teach people about the kingdom (verse 9), saying "the kingdom is nigh."  Jesus told us in many figurative ways about the kingdom.  The kingdom is like a mustard seed, like a treasure hidden in a field, like a valuable pearl and much more.  With so much emphasis on the kingdom, we certainly need to "seek" the truth about it. 

It is noteworthy that in Acts 1, when Jesus is about to leave the earth and ascend into heaven, the apostles asked Him, "..will You at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?"  This is an important question!  It shows that the kingdom that Jesus and His followers have been teaching about is still not here.  And it relates to the desire of the Jewish people to get their kingdom, their prominence back.  They had it in old days, in the OT, with great and powerful kings, like David.  Here in the NT, they are being ruled, dominated and suppressed by the Roman government.  They want redemption; they want their kingdom.  But they, even among His followers here in Acts 1, don't realize that the kingdom they are about to get is a spiritual one.

The answer Jesus gives them is, "..it is not for you to know.."  But then He tells them to wait in Jerusalem for power.  And what follows is Jesus going to heaven to rule over the new kingdom, and the apostles, armed with extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit, going out to witness and develop this new kingdom, this kingdom that was foretold in Joel 2, Daniel 2, Isaiah 2 and many other places throughout the OT.

That is the simple truth of the Bible.

Thanks for reading.  Feel the love.