The already but not yet of the kingdom


 Christ is the Morning Star who, when the night of this world has passed, brings to his Saints the promise of the light of life and opens everlasting day. (St Bede on the Apocalypse)

 

It is so easy to become engulfed in this world—in the here and now. It is perhaps one of the greatest temptations in this culture in this era. So much talk of money, success, numbers, achievements, cars, vacations, hobbies, new couch, new iPhone, AI, computers, politics, retirement, investments, etc. 

 

But the words of Revelation 22:12-13 (NIV): “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” … needs to be our primary focus.

 

We live on a higher plane. We will go deeper. We live higher. We have more to look forward to after this! This world IS passing away, and an everlasting day is opening up to us.  

 

It comes down to priorities. There are many gifts our Father has given us (James 1:17 (NIV) “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows”). However, let’s not elevate the gifts over the Giver.

 

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