As Jesus presented post-Resurrection teaching “pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3-8), His disciples asked if now—with the Cross behind—the ultimate messianic Kingdom would come. “It is not yours to know the future,” He says, “but it is yours to receive the Spirit’s power!”
With those words, He makes three points: (1) The Holy Spirit is the Person and the power by which assistance and ability are given for serving, for sharing the life and power of God’s Kingdom with others. (2) The Holy Spirit’s power must be “received”; it is not an automatic experience. As surely as the Holy Spirit indwells each believer (Rom. 8:9), so surely will He fill and overflow (John 7:37-39) each who receives the Holy Spirit in childlike faith. (3) When the Holy Spirit fills you, you will know it. Jesus said it, and the disciples found it true (Acts 1:5; 2:1-4).
Have you received the Holy Spirit (19:1-6)? You may, for the promise is as fully yours today as at any time in the past (2:38-39).
Kingdom of God is at hand – Suffering, Tribulation and the Kingdom
“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’” (Acts 14:21-22)
Paul not only taught the joy and peace of the Kingdom of God (Rom. 14:7), its power (1 Cor. 14:20) and its present authority to cause the believer to triumph over evil (2 Tim. 4:8; Rom. 16:20). He also taught that “Kingdom people” experience trial, suffering and not always an “instant victory” (2 Thess. 1:5). Triumph and victory may characterize the attitude of each citizen of the Kingdom of God, and Holy Spirit-empowered authority is given to be applied to realize results. Yet, God did not promise life without struggle. The “dominion” being recovered through the presence of the King within us and ministered by the Holy Spirit’s power through us is never taught by the apostles as pre-empting all suffering.
This text reminds us that victory only comes through battle, and triumph only follows trial. Only a weak view of the truth of the Kingdom of God pretends otherwise. Another weak view surrenders to negative circumstances on the proposition that we are predestined to problems and therefore should merely tolerate them. The Bible teaches that suffering, trial and all order of human difficulty are unavoidable; but God’s Word also teaches they may all be overcome. The presence of the King and the power of His Kingdom in our lives make us neither invulnerable nor immune to life’s struggles. But they do bring the promise of victory: provision in need, strength for the day, and healing, comfort and saving help.
A Kingdom of Priests
“And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Ex. 19:6)
In Exodus 19:5-7, the Lord indicates His objective for His delivered people. His purpose for their destiny requires their understanding His essential priority for them: worship—His redemptive goal and Kingdom reinstatement. As they learn to worship as a nation of priests, they will discover His foundational means for their possessing their future victories (as ones whose domain, or “kingdom,” He has promised). Their restored rule, from sharing to “kingdom” possession, extends from their walk before God in worship. Israel’s deliverance from Egypt is not only a triumphant testimony; it is God’s timeless type, showing His plans and methods for the church’s deliverance and intended conquest (1 Cor. 10:11).
“The Kingdom of God is at Hand ” Copyright 2008, 2010 by Jack W. Hayford. Jack Hayford Ministries. All rights reserved. Adapted from The Hayford Bible Handbook (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1995.
