kingdom

“God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted” (Psalm 47:8-9). The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is the bridegroom and the bride is His church from every tribe, tongue, and nation. As the bride of Christ, our role is to prepare for the Lord’s return. How do we prepare? In Psalm 47, the psalmist looks forward to that day when God’s people from every tribe, from every nation, from every tongue, from every corner of the globe will worship the living God. At that time, people from every race, color, and background will lift up the name of the Lord. People—whether they be rich or poor, whether they are educated or not—will join together in the praise of His glory. The psalmist reminds Israel that God is not just […]

“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Have you ever heard someone describe a terrible situation and say, “There was nothing left to do but pray”? Talking like that, prayer seems like a weapon of last resort. But prayer is far more powerful than that. Read 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5. As Paul peered into the future, he told the Thessalonians how the spirit of lawlessness will be unleashed globally (see 2:3-10). He foretold how the Antichrist will finally reveal himself after a period of deception. Then, he went on to instruct those of us who are living between the two comings of Christ about how we should live: We are to be men and women of prayer. Paul beseeched the Thessalonians, “[P]ray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just […]

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Jesus’ words were not random when He prayed what we now know as the Lord’s Prayer. His prayers were logical and sequential petitions that ended with this last prayer: “Deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). As the chief angel in heaven, Lucifer thought he could take God’s rightful throne. It was pride that turned the chief angel into the chief devil. It was pride that took him out of the courts of heaven and put him into the pit of hell. And it is pride that he is always trying to replicate in us. This particular petition has to do with our wills. Satan’s original sin was the sin of pride, and pride attacks the will. We can memorize Scripture and read it for hours on end, but […]