My understanding as a young Christian about the end of this age was very simple. Jesus was going to come back to the earth and take all the Christians with him to heaven. Those who did not accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour would spend their lives separated from Him in hell. Heaven was “up there” someplace and all ready for us.
Reading through Scripture I see a couple things differently. Jesus comes back and establishes His kingdom here on earth. His followers are involved in the restoration process. Throughout Scripture, God restores His people time and time again. Each time, they participate in the restoration of the land, the city, the temple, the rule and reign of God.
I am not certain what that is like in the final restoration of this earth as the Kingdom of God. Perhaps that is why Scripture tells of different roles and responsibilities people have in His kingdom. The parables Jesus spoke in Matthew 25 and Luke 19 tell that rewards of faithfulness are responsibilities granted in the kingdom.
Luke 19:17
“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
Heaven is an active place and not passive.
Reading through Scripture I see a couple things differently. Jesus comes back and establishes His kingdom here on earth. His followers are involved in the restoration process. Throughout Scripture, God restores His people time and time again. Each time, they participate in the restoration of the land, the city, the temple, the rule and reign of God.
I am not certain what that is like in the final restoration of this earth as the Kingdom of God. Perhaps that is why Scripture tells of different roles and responsibilities people have in His kingdom. The parables Jesus spoke in Matthew 25 and Luke 19 tell that rewards of faithfulness are responsibilities granted in the kingdom.
Luke 19:17
“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
Heaven is an active place and not passive.
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