Anticipating the Kingdom
Open Your Bible
Matthew 25:1-13, John 14:1-4, John 14:18, John 14:25-26, Colossians 3:1-17, Romans 8:28-30, 2 Peter 3:11-14
BY Bailey T. Hurley
While we wait for Christ’s return, the Spirit equips us to live faithfully in light of our redemption in Christ.
Most of us have experienced a nightmare in which we arrive for a work presentation or a school exam unprepared. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been to school in a decade or to work in weeks—the panic of being unprepared sets in, and you wonder how you could have forgotten to study or do the work necessary to perform well. For me, I wake up in a state of stress and don’t calm down until I realize the scenario isn’t real.
The parable of the ten virgins feels like this nightmare. How could the five, foolish virgins not have been prepared to meet the groom? They obviously knew what needed to be prepared, yet they were foolish enough to forget to bring plenty of oil with them to keep their lamps burning until he arrived.
We should heed the warning that comes with a life not prepared to glorify Christ daily and welcome His return. We don’t want to miss the kingdom of God at work in this world today or the return of our bridegroom Jesus.
The five, wise virgins who came prepared with extra oil for their lamps remind me of a woman who is living a life of “holy conduct and godliness” (2Peter 3:11). Though she may not know the hour of her groom’s return, she endures the wait. Easier said than done, I know. For a follower of Jesus, His coming kingdom can sometimes feel like a mystery too difficult to understand and a promise that seems too far away to actualize.
Thankfully, the mystery has been made known: “You know the way I am going,” Jesus tells His disciples (John 14:4). Jesus Himself has gone before us, prepared a home for us, and will lead us. He reassures His disciples, saying, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (v.1). We can rest now, knowing that kingdom-living is not impossible because we have assurance for our future place in God’s kingdom and the Holy Spirit to help us live faithfully today.
We are asked to wait, trusting in Jesus’s promise. Peter tells the church that “based on [Jesus’s] promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells… Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace” (2Peter 3:13–14). Let’s be women who are prepared—not anxious for the future because we walk with Jesus who presents us as a spotless bride, but eager with anticipation as we wait for our bridegroom to lead us to the banquet table.
91 thoughts on "Anticipating the Kingdom"
-
Feeling so anxious and not enough. Having trouble figuring out how to rely on God and anticipate his kingdom in peace. Need to remember Gods promises and that He works to make everything good. His Holy Spirit lives in me as my helper.
-
He WILL come…
Perhaps today… -
@Melanie the Good News is you don’t have to be enough because Christ is enough! He offers you his robes of righteousness to cover your blemishes because none of us will ever be perfect. Praying that the Holy Spirit guides you deeper into the word to help you with your questions
-
Thank you @Churchmouse! “We do not have a choice but to wait… we have a choice in how we wait” That is so refreshing and encouraging.
-
Mercy, thank you so very much for your encouragement
-
“Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)
It strikes me that this does not mean put on a show of your best behaviour. It has taken me a long time to unlearn the idea that God is waiting for us to trip up, to fail. He doesn’t have to wait, he knows we’ll mess up. He loves us anyway – because of His perfection, not ours.
This also does not mean we have a ‘get out of jail free’ card. God expects us to do our very best, everyday, for as long as it takes, to live our lives in relationship with him. I’m grateful for the understanding that I am to do my best to live my life right, rather than living my life trying not to be wrong.
Blessedly, God helps us navigate how to live our lives right. He tells us, “Set your mind on above, not on earthly things.” (Col 3:2). He instructs us to “…put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience… Above all, put on love.” (Col 3:12-14).
Thanks be to God.
-
I am so thankful for these wonderful scriptures that remind us to always keep our eyes on our true home and not to get so caught up with the things that are passing away. This is freedom, to me, from this world’s control. No matter what happens here, it will pass! The oil often represents the Holy Spirit in God’s word and His anointing on us to do God’s will. I think keeping our lamps filled with oil represents continuing to walk in the Holy Spirit’s power and anointing – yielding to and abiding in Him rather than yielding to our flesh. We fall, but the main thing is we get up and put our hand in Jesus’ and stay close to Him (which will change our desires and actions). We don’t stay down or go in the opposite way from our Lord! These scriptures are to benefit and not burden us, and we can be filled with confidence and thanksgiving as we set our mind on Christ and all we have in Him – even in the midst of a world full of trouble. We are encouraged that this troubled world will pass away and our true kingdom is eternal!!! Thank You, Jesus!!!! We anticipate Your coming with great joy!!!
-
I hope that I can live a life that is worthy of Christ. I pray that when he returns, he will find me doing his work.
Post Comments (91)