After the resurrection of Jesus, He appeared to groups of His disciples—sometimes numbering as many as 500 at a time—over a period of 40 days, showing them that He was truly alive and no longer dead. Furthermore, we read in Acts 1:3 that He taught them what “the Kingdom of God” truly signifies.

In light of what we have been exploring recently, we could put it this way: Jesus came to teach us that “the Kingdom of God”—which lies at the very heart of the Gospel, or Good News—cannot simply mean that people can go to heaven! On the contrary, the Kingdom of God *is* the heart of the Gospel!

Throughout His three-year public ministry, His disciples heard Jesus proclaim the Good News of God’s Kingdom. They also witnessed Him demonstrating what this Kingdom looks like, and what it looks like when people live according to it—that is, according to the Way of the Kingdom.

Through faith, they came to realize that His identity as the Messiah—the Promised King—also meant that He is the King of the Kingdom of God.

Naturally, during those three years spent with Jesus, His disciples did not fully grasp the enormity of the Kingdom of God, nor its complete scope and all its perfect dimensions. God the Spirit would teach them this progressively, after taking up residence within each of Jesus’ followers.

Certainly, they also failed to understand that the Kingdom of God serves as the ultimate answer to humanity’s profound distress and all its needs.

Indeed, in their lack of understanding, they reduced the Kingdom, attempting to fit it into the framework of their own perspective as Jewish nationalists. And so, in Acts 1:6, we hear them ask Jesus: “Lord, are You going to restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

Just as Jesus’ disciples back then reduced the Kingdom of God to matters concerning the Jewish people, the church today continues to portray the Kingdom of God in such a way that, for most people, it has come to seem entirely insignificant.

Let me ask you: When was the last time you heard something in a sermon about the Kingdom of God that took your breath away and made you shiver with sheer excitement?

Looking at it from a broader perspective, I see how, within Roman Catholicism, it has been reduced to a pathetic form of humanism. Indeed, even within Protestantism—and other denominations—the concept has faded into something completely different from what Jesus taught us about it.

Can you believe that, even today, in certain circles of faith, it is proclaimed as a form of nationalism—focused solely on a specific country and its people—or even twisted into a kind of racism? This can range from the exaltation of the Jewish people and a “return to our Jewish roots” movement, to the opposite extreme, such as what we hear these days within British-Israelism circles.

It is no wonder that modern people today view the church (note the use of a lowercase ‘c’) as completely irrelevant—and even as part of the problem of our times! How can they take the church (with a lowercase ‘c’) seriously when they see, all around them, these fragmented “little kingdoms” that call themselves “church”—places where the Kingdom of God and the authority of the King of that Kingdom no longer even apply where it matters most!

Dare I say it? What is being proclaimed as the gospel in many parts of this church (with a lowercase ‘c’) has long since ceased to be what Jesus commanded us to proclaim!

The Good News that Jesus proclaimed is the Kingdom of God; yet, we have diluted it into something we believe would be palatable and acceptable to our current era and the prevailing discourse around us. And, to make matters worse, we then teach this to “new converts” and to our own children!

In this way, Catholicism serves up its own variant of religion to every nation it reaches.

The Anglicans, too, export their own variant wherever they go.

Then we see the Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Pentecostals, and Charismatics—along with thousands of other “churches”—peddling their diluted “gospel,” stamped with their own specific ecclesiastical “brand,” to a starving world—all of this devoid of the true message of the Kingdom!

Indeed—would you believe it?—we even hear Jehovah’s Witnesses proclaiming a kingdom, yet one without the true King: Jesus Christ, God incarnate!

Yet, all around us lies a world that yearns for peace, lasting joy, and a true zest for life. Everywhere, people are staggering, crushed to the point of tears by demonic systems and all their stifling measures of control. And the Church—the true Church—which holds the real answer and solution in the Good News of the Kingdom, is so confused; it offers no answers that possess any eternal value.

Yet, the King of the Kingdom has given us this command:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son...”

Can you believe I’ve discussed the same matter with you sixteen times, albeit from different angles! If you were to ask me: "Help me out—summarize in one or two sentences what you’ve been trying to tell me lately?"

Thanks for asking. Let me give it a try.

I am convinced that 1 Corinthians 10:31 sums it up beautifully:

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

As followers of Jesus, we do not live merely in the hope of going to heaven one day after we die. Every day—and every minute of every day—that we live here on earth is of crucial importance, regardless of what we do or where we find ourselves.

As believing followers of Jesus, we already experience God’s presence (just as it is in heaven) within and around us. We are already children of the living God here on earth, and heirs to everything that belongs to our Heavenly Father. Therefore, for His glory and in service of His kingdom—and as He leads us through His Spirit dwelling within us—we must responsibly manage and utilize everything right where He has placed us and with whatever He has entrusted to us.

That is why there is no longer a distinction where some of us, as believing followers of Jesus, are "in the Lord’s service full-time," while others are merely "busy with ordinary things"!

We are all in the full-time service of our Lord and King, regardless of what we are doing, what occupies us, or where we find ourselves! Wherever we go and whatever we do, we act as—and indeed are—ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth.

To me, it is truly remarkable and inspiring to know that each of us represents the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth 24/7! That is why we have recently been encouraging one another to live life to the fullest every day. We cannot afford to simply sit around waiting for the day we go to heaven!

Especially not when we realize that our life here on earth is part of the "life" and "eternal life" that is ours in Christ Jesus. We do not have to wait for some future time—after our death—to experience it!

That is why God the Spirit, through the Word, constantly emphasizes that the life you and I are already living here on earth—the life within us that must be visible 24/7—is the life of Christ Jesus in us!

When we live "under the control of the Spirit of God" and do as He leads us, people see and experience something of Jesus in us.

In those moments—as Galatians 5:22 and 23 tell us—people see and experience the character and love of Jesus when they interact with us and hear what we have to say.

As Galatians 5:22 and 23 so strikingly put it:

"The fruit of the Spirit, on the other hand, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control."

I want to be practical.

Here in South Africa—and I see this in America as well—we are heading toward some form of election.

Hence my question: Do the things we have been discussing lately have implications for how we engage politically and how we express ourselves in the political sphere? Should we also be “ambassadors of heaven” in this regard?

The answer is: “Of course, yes!” And yes, I know this is an incredibly broad field, full of twists and turns—and plenty of pitfalls! But let me venture a few observations on this, without going into excessive detail or taking sides.

I am convinced that we desperately need this “heavenly” perspective regarding our role—as people of the light—within politics, as well as in the marketplace and in our own personal lives.

Let’s focus on what is currently at hand.

During any presidential, midterm, or municipal election, those who support a particular candidate or party often feel as though the end of the free world has arrived if “their side” loses.

Conversely, those on the winning side feel exactly the opposite.

Furthermore, we see and hear many Christians engaging in politics with the same anger, spite, and mudslinging as the unbelieving world around them.

There is little difference—save for the occasional mention of “Jesus” or “God” thrown into the mix. Yet, in light of God’s Word—whatever the outcome may be—I want to remind every follower of Jesus, whether they are grieving or rejoicing: No president, minister, or winning party in this upcoming election will establish the kingdom of heaven here on earth!

Therefore, do what you must do politically, as 1 Corinthians 10:31 instructs us. But always remember that you are a follower of Jesus Christ! You are an ambassador and a representative of a radically different kingdom—the kingdom of heaven—which operates according to a different kind of politics!

You belong to a kingdom that is not of this planet, a kingdom that demands—first and foremost, above all else—your complete allegiance, your total passion, and your very life.

Consequently, you cannot and must not ever give your full allegiance, loyalty, and passion to anything else, or to any other institution, organization, political party, or candidate.

As ambassadors of God’s kingdom, we can approach all our political activities with a sense of calm, knowing that our God is in charge and has everything under control!

Whether you feel alarmed or relieved and happy regarding the newly elected candidate, party, or president following an election, our Lord calls upon us all—as 1 Timothy suggests—to reach out to the throne of heaven on behalf of that person or governing body, every single day. 2:1–5.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for those in authority and all who hold power—that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been attested to at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:1–5)

Take note of what we are to pray for. It is not about the political party or candidates in question transforming the municipality or constituency in which they operate so that it becomes obedient to God. No, our prayer for them is simply that the political authorities will allow us, as Christians, to live “quiet and peaceful” lives for our Lord.

As we have said to one another so many times: We, as believers—people of the light, the “ekklesia”—are not a secluded, isolated group. On the contrary, we are firmly planted in this world. We are meant to take our stand right here where the Lord has placed us—engaging with this world, with all its challenges and needs, with great responsibility and wisdom—and to serve as a witness to the world and its people, while remaining prepared... ...to be here—in whatever way the Lord has called us to—and to serve as an ambassador of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The confession that "Jesus is Lord" is, in fact, a political statement; it refuses to acknowledge Caesar—or any other power, authority, or political party—as Lord.

Regardless of where you find yourself—whether before or after a political election—do not let your heart be troubled, and do not place your ultimate hope in any fallible human being.

To do so is to forget that you are part of an eternal kingdom that belongs to a different reality and realm.

Therefore, we pledge allegiance to no flag other than that of the kingdom of God. When we lose sight of this, we begin to treat our political opponents just as the world does: by criticizing them, and even acting or speaking as if they are “from hell”—or are perhaps even demonic.

Remember, then, the words of Ephesians 6:12: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against every power and authority, against every spirit that rules over this sinful world, against every evil spirit in the heavenly realms.”

The outcome of any political election does not mean that “the world around us has been saved,” nor that it has “perished”!

On the contrary, these are merely blips on the vast radar of time. Pray to the Lord, therefore, for perspective!

Remember, too, that our spiritual forebears once lived under rulers and governments where, because of their faith, they were thrown to the lions, set ablaze as human torches, and subjected to all manner of other barbaric forms of oppression and suffering.

Never, then, become so deeply immersed or involved in party politics that you forget who you are and to whom you belong.

We are part of a kingdom that will outlast all other kingdoms and, ultimately, will triumph. Jesus is the Lord of that kingdom, and He is also the Lord of this world—regardless of who is in power now, or who may be in the future.

Seek His kingdom first; this includes showing this world what the kingdom of God looks like, how it acts, and what it feels like—especially during and amidst an already highly charged political climate.

All presidents, ministers, and government officials will merely be a footnote in history. But the kingdom of Jesus Christ shall have no end.

May this perspective help you—and others—to carry out what God has called you to do (including in the political sphere) without succumbing to anxiety or fear!

Do you sometimes wonder if there really is life after death?

For most of us, it is sometimes just a fleeting thought that crosses the mind. Naturally, it doesn't last long, because deep down you actually know... Yes, that there will definitely be life that continues eternally on the other side of this life—after death!

This morning, during my focused quiet time before the Lord, I read the passage in Philippians 1—not for the first time, by any means. Just listen to what is written here! Remember, too, that Paul was already quite an old man at this stage! We don't know exactly how old he was, but we can sense it in what he writes here under the inspiration of the Spirit. Let me quote a few verses for you:

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”

Do you hear it too?

These are the words of someone who knows—with absolute certainty—that there will definitely be life after this life on earth! Yes, that we as believers will be here on earth one moment, and then, the next moment—after our death—we will be with Christ, “in heaven”!

Yes, that is also what Jesus promised the murderer on the cross in Luke 23:43... the one who, in his final moments here on earth, chose to believe in Jesus:

“I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

If you truly, truly believe this, it changes everything! It makes you look at and think about things in a completely different way! It sets everything right and puts things back into perspective! Then you realize what life and every day here on earth are really about, and what is truly important!

Do you hear it in what Paul says, too?

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

When you have a moment, go sit somewhere out in nature, or by the sea, and reflect on this.

What happens inside you when you remind yourself that there is more to life than just what you and I experience every day—things we sometimes wear ourselves out over and worry about so much?

In closing, may I ask you: How will this knowledge change your day-to-day life and your focus?