My dear readers,

(Extracts from RPG, Jan – Mar 1998, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. KINGDOM RULES DEFINED
Luke 4:1-13; Deuteronomy 6:16, 8:1-3

The Son of God had come to overthrow Satan, and to establish the Kingdom of God. Satan saw his dominion imperilled. His power as “prince of this world” was being challenged. That old serpent which overcame Adam in the garden launched a brazen assault on the Second Adam in the wilderness. “Pulling out every trick”, the wily Adversary pitted his cunning against the Son of God, hoping to trip Him. But our Lord “being full of the Holy Ghost” was well prepared, armed with the Spirit’s sword which is the Word of God.

The Kingdom which Jesus had come to set up was different from the Kingdom of the world now in the power and control of Satan. Satan confronted Jesus with three “irresistible offers” as far as the world is concerned. His proposition was designed to ensure immediate and universal acceptance, in as much as it is the gateway to instant success in politics today:
(a) Abundance of “bread” or daily necessities of life,
(b) “all the Kingdoms of the world in a moment of time”, meaning the world’s material wealth and all that go with it,
(c) leaping down from a pinnacle of the temple, meaning the ability to perform spectacular and “miraculous feats” or “signs and wonders” – this was Satan’s strategy offered to Christ.

“Listen to me, worship me, do as I say, and I will give you the whole world!” But God’s plan was different. Jesus came to fulfil that plan, to establish God’s Kingdom among those who would turn to Him in faith and accept His spiritual kingdom. Christ’s kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom 14:17). Wielding the Spirit’s mighty sword, our Lord repelled the tempter, dismissing him from His presence, a defeated foe.

“The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15).

2. DOOR TO KINGDOM BLESSING
Luke 6:20-38, Psalm 1

Before Pilate, our Lord said, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight ...” (John 18:36). God’s kingdom is not man’s kingdom. Man’s kingdom is founded on man’s method: people power, political intrigue, violence, material wealth and prosperity. God’s kingdom is different: the two are contrary one to the other.

Our Lord Jesus lays down the criteria for admission to God’s kingdom and its blessedness:

(a) Blessed are ye poor, meaning those who are poor in spirit, those who realise their spiritual bankruptcy and turn to Jesus to receive the riches of His grace.
(b) Blessed are ye that hunger now, and turn to Jesus the “bread of life” to receive life everlasting (John 6:47-51).
(c) Blessed are ye that weep now, and mourn for your sins; and turn in repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ: in God’s kingdom ye shall laugh with rejoicing.
(d) Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you ... and shall reproach you ... for the Son of man’s sake. These are “Gospel afflictions” promised to those who follow Christ. If we, because of our faith, are persecuted, ostracised, or victimised, the Lord assures us: “Great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matt 5:12). Therefore rejoice and be exceeding glad when we suffer because of Christian faith.

But for those who spurn the Gospel offer, our Lord has stern words: Woe unto you that are rich in this world’s goods; woe unto you that are full of material things only; woe unto you that laugh now, not caring for the coming judgment; woe unto you who receive the world’s praises, but not God’s. The eternal blessedness of God’s kingdom is not of this present world. To live merely for the present and for temporal things is the greatest folly.

THOUGHT: The things which are seen are temporal; the things which are not seen are eternal.

3. “Your redemption draweth nigh” Luke 21:28
(Daily Remembrancer, November 9)

“SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING WITH POWER.” This is the promise of God: the Lord must return, your complete deliverance is at hand. Your Redeemer has appeared once and paid the ransom price for your release. He is now waiting at His Father’s right hand, having all power in heaven and on earth, and He will soon come and claim His purchased possession. At that moment, you will be caught up to meet Him in the air, without dying. Or, you may fall asleep in Jesus, and slumber peacefully in the grave for a little time, but Jesus will soon come, and then He will raise you from the dead as His own. You will arise and shake off the dust of death, and put on the beautiful garments of immortality. You will be publicly acknowledged as the sons of God. You will be clothed with His purity, power, and perfection. You will be introduced to your Heavenly Father, to the whole redeemed family, and to your everlasting home. Then your redemption will be complete. Are we longing for it ? Can we use the language of the Apostle, and say, “Ourselves also which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body”? If so, rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh.

Then shall I see, and hear, and know,
All I desired or wished below;
And every pow’r find sweet employ,
In that eternal world of joy.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor