​Who Was Jesus Christ?

The Bible constantly points and refers to one prominent character, Jesus of Nazareth, who, it claims, was the Son of God. That he did live at about the time the Bible indicates is a fully corroborated fact of history, independent of the Bible testimony. That this Jesus was crucified because he had offended the Jewish priests is a further historical fact.


The writers of the New Testament under divine guidance convincingly record the supernatural manner of his begettal, the events attending his birth, the purpose of his life and ministry, and his death and resurrection. These, having long trusted in the promises of their (Old Testament) scriptures, recognized in Jesus the expected Messiah of Israel, who had appeared in their midst not as a king or a military leader to raise the nation to world eminence as God's 'chosen people' in the way most had expected, but instead, as a sacrifice for sin. He was God's anointed for this purpose, and became known as Jesus Christ.

He often testified that he had been sent by God, and spoke of his pre-existence with the Father before he became a human being. That his life as the man Jesus came from no earthly father was a prerequisite to his becoming a ransom (a corresponding price) for mankind, or strictly speaking, for Adam, the progenitor of the race, who for disobedience to his Creator had incurred the death penalty, and thus could pass on only imperfect (dying) life. In offering his own perfect life as a substitute for Adam, Jesus could satisfy divine justice and release Adam and his progeny from the death sentence. As the Apostle John assures us, "God loved the world so dearly that he gave up his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Are we? If not, why not?

If not, why not?" challenges us to reflect on why we don't do some things in our lives. This post asks us to consider if we are living our lives for Christ Jesus like three New Testament characters, Stephen, Philip and Barnabas, did. Each served the Lord Jesus in a different way -- but to the best of their ability.
Are we? If not, why not?

Contents

• Stephen
• Philip
• Barnabas
• If not, why not?
• Summary

Stephen

It was an exciting time.
The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7 NASB)

One man, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

But it was also a very unsettling time. Persecution was increasing. Men of the synagogue in Jerusalem would dispute with this man, and because they could not defeat his wisdom, logic or his grace through discussion and debate, they hired men to lie to the officials about him. They concluded that if they couldn’t refute him with their words, they would quiet him with their actions.

Stephen was called before the high priest to defend himself from the charges. His defense was masterful, and once again, he could not be refuted. But the more he spoke the angrier the officials became. He could have just answered the charge brought against him that he blasphemed the temple and the Law. He could have replied to the false charge that he said Jesus of Nazareth would destroy this temple and change the customs of Moses. He could have said a lot of things to pacify his accusers.

But he did not! Instead he addressed the heart of the issue for which he was being judged – the attitude of the leaders and teachers of Israel. He told the truth. Using the very underpinnings of his accuser’s argument (we have Moses, Abraham and the prophets as our fathers) he told them how their attitude of arrogance was a common trait of Israel’s religious leaders and prevented their fathers and them from recognizing the prophets and sent ones of God. This very arrogance also led them to betray and murder the Just One, Christ Jesus.

Stephen Martyred - image courtesy of http://www.freebibleimages.org/

At the end of his defense, he glanced up into the sky and, in wonder and awe, testified to all who were listening about what he saw, the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.

Telling the truth cost him his defense; he lost the case… and his life!

Stephen was physically and forcefully thrown outside of the city walls and stoned to death. Yes, stoned to death! In great agony and pain, nigh unto death Stephen stopped protecting himself. He knelt down exposing himself openly to the stones, lifted up his voice and petitioned that God would be merciful and not hold his executioners accountable for his death; then he died. The stones had accomplished their task, but so had Stephen! (Acts 6 – 7)

What was it that enabled Stephen to not defend himself but to defend the Lord Jesus?

Have you ever bumped your head hard and had to put pressure on it to relieve the pain? Have you stubbed your toe and hopped around on one foot in agony? Ever hit your funny bone in your elbow so your whole arm goes numb? These are things we do to ourselves.

Consider what it would be like to be surrounded by people who are very angry with you, so angry that they are throwing stones as hard as they can at you with the intention of killing you. Even as they were stoning Stephen, he thought of their welfare and desired mercy on their behalf.

What was it that enabled Stephen to love his enemies and to do good to those who despitefully used him even as the Lord Jesus requested in

Mat 5:44-45 YLT:
(44) but I--I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you, and pray for those accusing you falsely, and persecuting you,
(45) that ye may be sons of your Father in the heavens, because His sun He doth cause to rise on evil and good, and He doth send rain on righteous and unrighteous.

Obviously, Stephen loved the Lord God and his son, Christ Jesus, very much!

Can you imagine the depth of the love Stephen had? A love, deep and broad enough to encompass his enemies? A love that thought of others, even his enemies, more than of himself.

A love that deep, a love that broad, a love that strong, a love like that can only grow out of a very intimate and personal relationship with the Lord and Master.

Do we have that kind of relationship with the Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus which fosters such a love?

Do we love our Father in Heaven and His Son more than our own lives?

If not, why not?

Philip

The persecution of this man’s beliefs drove him, and many others, from Jerusalem, so he “went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” (Acts 8:5-6)

Hearing of his success in Samaria, the Apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria to help also. The disciples were probably not surprised by the success of Philip in Samaria. After all, Jesus taught the woman at the well in the city of Sychar, which was also in Samaria. He spent two days teaching them and many believed. (Jn. 4)

Through Peter and John many were baptized with the Holy Spirit. Then Peter and John, after testifying and preaching the word of the Lord and the Gospel in many villages of Samaria, returned to Jerusalem.

Peter and John’s work was done in Samaria. And so, apparently was Philip’s for the scriptures say in Acts 8:26-27 NASB, (26) But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) (27) So he got up and went…; “

Philip conversed with the eunuch of Ethiopia, taught him of who Isa. 53 was written about, baptized him, and then the spirit took Philip to the northern part of Israel where he made his way to Caesarea. Though Philip stayed in Israel, the Gospel spread to Africa.

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch - picture courtesy of http://www.freebibleimages.org/

Philip, obedient to the voice of the Lord, spoke out and spoke up for His Lord and Master. Because of his obedience, he was instrumental in spreading the Gospel in Samaria, and he started it on its way to Ethiopia of Africa through the eunuch.

What was it that enabled Philip to share the Gospel as he did even as Paul encouraged Timothy in 2Ti 4:2 NASB to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction?”

Philip desired to do the Lord’s will; hence, he was sensitive to how the Lord led him. This sensitivity to the Lord’s direction enabled him to discern service opportunities. Because he desired to serve when the opportunities were there he took advantage of them. He made himself available to serve the Lord.

But being sensitive to the Lord’s leading and making yourself available to serve are only prerequisites. One thing more is needed, and Phillip had it: initiative. He had the ability to take the initiative and actually serve.” He preached, he taught, he healed, he baptized.

Philip is an interesting individual. Acts 6:3-5 introduces us to him along with Stephen and five others when the Apostles chose these seven men, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, to handle the temporal affairs of the Church.

We are told very little of his life. But what we are told is how he very effectively proclaimed the Gospel in Samaria, (Acts 8) and how he witnessed to the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8) and then how he was sent by the Holy Spirit to the city Azotus and then made his way to Caesarea.

That is the last we hear of Philip except for one more statement about him. We find it in Acts 21:8 where Philip and his family (including four prophetess daughters) host the Apostle Paul and his company on his third and final missionary journey. This scripture records that Philip was recognized as an evangelist.

Are we trying to be sensitive to the Lord’s guidance in our lives?

Are we trying to make ourselves available to serve the Lord however that service presents itself?

Are we taking the initiative to act upon the opportunities we discern?

If not, why not?

Barnabas

Joseph was born in Cyprus as a Jew. Originally a Levite, he is thought to have been a Hellenized Jew (one who has accepted the Greek culture and language as their own) and to have been one of the 70 disciples sent out by the Lord Jesus. (Lk 10:1, 17) He was active in the early Church and when the need arose he sold his property and gave the proceeds to the Apostles to be used for the care of the brethren. He witnessed first hand the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira for their deception.

Like others, the name he was born with was not the name he was known by. Because of his character qualities, the Apostles affectionately renamed him Barnabas and he was greatly loved and respected by the Christian community. (Acts 15:25)

When Paul came to the Church in Jerusalem, Barnabas stood up for Paul and persuaded the community there to accept Paul as a disciple. Because of Paul’s boldness in preaching the Gospel, the Grecians in Jerusalem tried to kill Paul. So Paul was sent away to Tarsus, but, he, Barnabas, stayed behind and then was sent to Antioch to teach and support the believers there. Barnabas, remembering the power of Paul’s preaching, sought out Paul in Tarsus, brought him back to Antioch and together, they taught the Church there for a year.

Barnabas and Paul brought Antioch's donation to the Jerusalem Church during a famine. It seems that Barnabas and Paul (Acts 11, 12) were in Jerusalem when James was beheaded and Peter was imprisoned and delivered from it by an angel of the Lord. John Mark was Barnabas’ cousin. (Col. 4:10) It was to John Mark’s mother’s house (where many were gathered together praying), that Peter returned after being released from prison. (Acts 12:12)

Paul, Barnabas and Jorhn Mark travel together - image courtesy of freebibleimages.org

The three, Barnabas, Paul and John Mark, went on a missionary journey to Cyprus, Perge (where John Mark left them and went to Jerusalem), and Antioch in Pisidia, where they were so violently opposed by the Jews that they decided to preach to the Gentiles. Then they went on to Iconium (Konya) and Lystra in Lycaonia, where they were first acclaimed gods and then, in a turn of events, stoned out of the city. Then they returned to Antioch. (Acts 14)

What was it about Barnabas that made him such an encourager of the brethren?

It was no coincidence that in Acts 13:2 the Holy Spirit paired up Barnabas and Paul and sent them out as missionaries. The name Barnabas means ”Son of Encouragement,” and that was what he was to all. Here was a man full of the Holy Spirit, and full of grace who cared mightily for others and had their best interests at heart. Paul had the gift of speech, but Barnabas had the gift of encouragement. Together, the two were far greater than the sum of their parts, and they accomplished great and wonderful things for the Lord.

What was it about him that he was so greatly loved by the brethren?

Barnabas was greatly loved by the brethren because he cared for them very much. We are told this in Acts 15:25 NASB: “it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul…”

Even the non-believers esteemed Barnabas highly. Earlier, when teaching at the city of Lystra, he was regarded as the god Zeus and Paul as Hermes, or Mercury.

The crowds thought Barnabas was Zeus and Paul was Hermes. Zeus was the god of the sky and the supreme ruler of the Olympian gods. He is represented as the god of justice and mercy, the protector of the weak, and the punisher of the wicked. Hermes was the cleverest of the gods, and Zeus’ messenger to all the other gods. (Acts 14:11-12 NASB): “When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us." (12) And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.”

When a dispute arose regarding the observance of the Jewish rites, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem, where, at the Jerusalem council, it was decided that non-Jews did not have to be circumcised to be baptized. On their return to Antioch, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on another visit to the cities where they had preached, but Paul objected because of John Mark's desertion of them in Perge. Paul and Barnabas separated, and Barnabas returned to Cyprus with John Mark; nothing further is heard of him, though it is believed his rift with Paul was ultimately healed.

We don’t often think about Barnabas beyond that he was a companion of Paul for the first of Paul’s missionary journeys, or that he and Paul separated over whether or not to bring John Mark along on another missionary journey. Even in the separation, we see the type of character Barnabas was. He was willing to give John Mark another opportunity for service, to encourage him to be more, to do better, and he was willing to let the past be in the past. How Christ-like is that?

Are we supporting and encouraging the brethren as best we can?

Is our conduct such that those who witness our interactions respect our character and integrity?

If not, why not?

We have considered just three of many New Testament Biblical characters, both men and woman, who desired to serve the Lord and served Him with the skills they had. Each lived their lives willing to do whatever was before them, committed that God knows what is best.

One might think that while these men are wonderful examples, I don’t quite see how they relate to me.

The point is they wanted to serve, were willing to do what was necessary to serve, and acted upon the service opportunities.

Are we doing these things also?

If not, why not?

Perhaps we have concluded that we aren’t doing all that we can for the Lord. Don’t despair, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and we won’t be transformed from imperfection to perfection in a day either. But, lest we think that we will always have more time tomorrow, tomorrow never really comes -- when it does it becomes today! We can only live in today.

John 17:17 says, "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” Our Lord always links the progress and development of our spiritual life with our receiving and obeying the Truth. In other words, our growth in Christ depends upon our obedience to the word of the Lord. In 2 Pet. 1:2-11 NASB we are told what we need to do (note the text in bold) to be a partaker of the divine nature. It reads:

(2) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
(3) seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
(4) For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
(5) Now for this very reason also, (that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature) applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
(6) and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
(7) and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
(8) For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(9) For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
(10) Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
(11) for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

We are told to diligently add to our faith: moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. By doing so we grow from where we are to where God would have us to be so that we can be fit for a place in His kingdom as a member of the Bride of Christ. Spiritual growth is a process, and it takes time and effort to do so. Many times we fail and we may conclude that we have nothing to serve Him with. We want to remember that our weakness and inability to do the things we want to do in service to the Lord is actually our greatest asset. When we call upon the Lord for grace to help and rely upon His strength, then whatever success we have is really His and not ours.

To be successful as a follower of Christ we must first and foremost be just that -- a follower. While we may be other things as well, i.e., Elder, deacon, evangelist, leader, teacher, father, mother, son, or daughter, employee, etc., we must always be a follower of Christ. When we step off of the path laid out for us, we step into trouble, and we all know we should never go looking for trouble as it has a way of finding us all on its own.

Summary

Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the Apostles to serve the needs of the Church community. Because he was a man of faith and filled with the Holy Spirit, he performed great wonders and signs among the people. He was martyred for his great love for Christ and even as they killed him, he prayed that they would not be held accountable for his death.

Stephen loved the Lord God and his son, Christ Jesus very much; a love deep and broad enough to even encompass his enemies.

Philip was sensitive to the Lord’s leadings and because he wanted to serve, he made himself available for service. He took advantage of the opportunities that came to him. Like Stephen, he was a man of faith also. He performed great signs and wonders and had a gift for evangelism. Because he used what he had, he was instrumental in proclaiming the Gospel in Samaria and started the spread of the Gospel in Ethiopia.

Whether it was a financial contribution or encouragement in the Lord, Barnabas loved and cared for the brethren. Recognizing the value of Paul’s ability to speak for the Gospel of Christ, he supported Paul before the Apostles. Because of Barnabas, the door of evangelism was opened wide for Paul, and together by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Paul stepped through and testified of the Lord Jesus. Barnabas was an encourager and he encouraged all whom he came into contact with, including Paul.

Barnabas was greatly loved by the brethren because he cared for them very much.

Are we doing these things also?

If not, why not?

Spiritual growth just doesn’t happen. It requires the blood of Christ, the sweat of effort, and yes, even tears of repentance. Our growth depends upon our obedience to the word of the Lord. We should seek first the things of God and eliminate as much as possible the rest of the things cluttering our lives.

Most of us live our lives in a way that could be best expressed by the phrase, “If in doubt – don’t!” As a follower of Christ we really should put a positive spin on this phrase, and unless it violates God’s principles of righteousness, we should live by the maxim, “If in doubt – do!”

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. It is time to take the next step in our journey of growth. As we do so, may faith enable us to hold His hand and not let go. May humility enable us to acknowledge, repent and turn away from sin. And may His grace enable us to rise again when we stumble.

Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen! (2 Pet. 3:18)

GOD'S KINGDOM

Although this kingdom was the central theme of Jesus' life he did not originate the idea. The concept of this kingdom permeated Old Testament prophecy.

The prophets foresaw a kingdom of health, with harmony between man and his fellow. They foresaw a kingdom of peace, with total economic security. Isaiah spoke of all these promises: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain (11:6-9); they shall beat their swords into plowshares (2:4); mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands (65:21, 22).

The prophets foresaw a kingdom with harmony between man and animal; natural enemies of the earth will dwell together in complete peace and harmony; and formerly harmful creatures will no longer be hurtful or dangerous.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea (Isa 11:6-9).

They foresaw a kingdom of peace with harmony amongst men and no more war: And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more (Isa 2:4).

They foresaw a kingdom of total economic security; mankind will reap the rewards of their labor and live in security without fear of loss: they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.... mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands (Isa 65:21-22).

The New Testament apostles foresaw a kingdom in which even death would be done away; there shall be no more death (Rev 21:4). And the best part is that these were not idle dreams. They were not wishful thinking. They spoke of living verities for one simple reason—they knew what they were talking about for they had been witnesses. The Apostle Peter said: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed (2Pet 1:16-19).

And the Apostle Paul, when speaking of himself, wrote: I knew a man in Christ...caught up to the third heaven (2Cor 12:2). In the next verse he calls this third heaven paradise. These Biblical writers could speak with such authority, with such sureness, for one simple reason; and to most of their kingdom prophecies the reason for their positiveness is appended: For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken it!

Who Will That Kingdom Be For?

It will be for the righteous (Mat 13:43)! That kingdom will be for the Christian (Acts 16:31)! The kingdom will be for the Jew (Ezek 16:55)! The kingdom will be for the pagan of Sodom and Gomorrah (Mat 10:15)! The kingdom will be for the heathen of Tyre and Sidon (Mat 11:22)! In fact the kingdom will be for ALL people! "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment" (John 5:28-29 RSV).

ALL who are in their tombs will be raised to life—the Jew and the Arab; the Christian and the Atheist; the Catholic and the Protestant; the saint and the sinner; the priest and the master of voodoo—ALL! But that seems impossible! The Bible clearly says: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Yes! One must be a Christian to be saved. One must believe in Christ to live forever in that kingdom. Yet the Bible just as clearly states that the men of Sodom and of Gomorrah, of Tyre and of Sidon, will be there. Can both be true? Yes! Both are true because both are in the Bible. And the Bible is true!

The harmony between these seemingly conflicting concepts is in a simple statement of the will of God concerning man by the Apostle Paul: "God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time" (1Tim 2:3-6). God will have all men to be saved! Jesus Christ gave himself a ransom for all! How much plainer can it be stated! ALL—Jew and Gentile; saint and sinner; Christian and Jew and pagan—ALL! Yet..."there is no other name whereby men must be saved than that of Jesus Christ." Both are scriptural statements! Both must be true! But, How?

Two phrases in Paul's words to Timothy must be examined to answer this question. FIRST, let us look at the phrase: "to be saved." Saved from what? What does it mean to be saved? The answers come readily. Saved from death! Saved from sin! These answers are correct, but they reveal only half of the truth behind the words: "all men to be saved."

The Bible is a complex book. But its central theme is simple. It is the story of redemption. It begins with man created perfect and placed in a perfect garden home—Eden. It soon sees the original pair—Adam and Eve—sin and plunge the entire race into the consequences of sin—death.

The Bible closes with man restored to perfection in a perfect earth, an earth cleansed from the defilements of sin—including death itself. In between it weaves a story of promise and fulfillment, of despair and hope, of prediction and reality, of man being redeemed by one man—Jesus.

A Ransom for All!

The word "ransom" itself shows the principle on which the Bible's offer of salvation is based. It is taken from the Greek word "anti-lutron", meaning "a price to correspond."

A simple balance scale illustrates it well. Adam sinned and brought upon himself and his posterity the merited penalty of death. The scales of justice demanded it. Christ died as a corresponding price—a perfect man for a perfect man—to offset the sin of Adam and bring the scales of justice back into balance. Simple? Yes, it is simple! It is scriptural! And it is true!

Since all of Adam's children (and thus their descendants as well) were born after the first sin, they were born into a dying condition. The Psalmist David expressed it well: "Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Pss 51:5).

Since Adam's descendants include both good people and bad people, both saints and sinners, both believers and unbelievers, they are all guaranteed salvation through the shed blood of Christ, which was freely given for Adam and all his descendants.

The Apostle Paul summarized the whole of the Bible message into two short sentences: "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1Cor 15:21-22).

It was from this death sentence on the human race, then, that all men are to be saved. This salvation is guaranteed by the death of Christ to all men—the good and the bad.

But it is one thing to obtain salvation; it is quite another thing to maintain that salvation. While the death of Jesus promises life from the grave for all, it does not promise that that life will be maintained forever.

Adam and Eve were given life in the Garden of Eden. They did not deserve it. It was simply a gift. It was God's grace. They could have maintained that life forever. They did not because they sinned. In this same manner all men will receive life in God's kingdom. They do nothing to deserve it. It is simply a gift. It is of God's grace. They can maintain that life forever. But will they? Just as with Adam and Eve, the option will be with men.

A Knowledge of the Truth

This is where the second phrase of Paul's statement to Timothy needs to be examined. "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1Tim 2:4).

Notice the order! God will first have all men to be saved, and, second, come to a knowledge of the truth. Wouldn't you expect that order to be reversed? That men must first know the truth—know Jesus—before they are saved? That would seem logical. But that is not what the Bible says.

God's plan is for all men to "hear the voice of the Son of Man and come forth" from the graves; and then to be instructed in "the knowledge of the truth." That's what God's kingdom is all about. It has two parts. First, raise all men from the grave. Second, instruct them in the rules of God so that they might keep them and maintain the life they have been given. That is God's plan. That is the beauty of the kingdom! That assures the permanence of salvation! That is the promise of the Bible!

But is that not giving man a second chance? Indeed it would be if sin and evil had caught God by surprise. But they did not—more about that later. Because God permitted sin and evil for a purpose, life from the dead for all is not a second chance but merely the completion of what God had originally planned for man.

Why The Long Delay?

But, if God's kingdom is so wonderful why is it so long delayed? Jesus died nearly 2000 years ago and there is still no kingdom. Instead of improving, many feel that world conditions have gotten worse. Why the long delay?

The Bible outlines three reasons for the delay. FIRST, to fully populate the earth; SECOND, to let man have a thorough experience with sin and its consequences; and THIRD, to develop a class of individuals to help Christ uplift the human race to life, perfection, and happiness. When God first made man and placed him in the Garden of Eden he gave him a commission. "And God blessed them, and God said to them, `Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth'" (Gen 1:28 RSV).

Demographic experts today say that this is just the problem. The earth has a population explosion which threatens our existence. But is this truly so? The Bible indicates that man has been on this planet for a little over 6000 years. The total population from creation to the present has been estimated at between thirty and fifty billions. That's a lot of people!

Yet the earth is a big place. Fifty billion people could each have 60 square feet of space on the island of New Zealand alone. But that's not much space, you say! True! But New Zealand is not a great part of the earth, either!

Not only does man need more space to live on, land is required to grow the necessary food for man's sustenance. This, too, has been provided in God's plan. Notice, once again, the words of the prophet Isaiah: "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God" (Isa 35:1-2).

The Desert Shall Blossom as a Rose

Thousands and thousands of square miles today are filled with desert—the Sahara, the Gobi, America's great Southwest Desert, the outback of Australia. Countless more miles are unproductive wilderness area and scrub land. Think of all of these blossoming as a rose. Think of the productivity of the world's breadbaskets: the Ukraine, the vast prairie provinces of Canada, the great plains of the United States. Think of these joined by the vast areas of today's deserts! Yes, there is room, and even enough room for more. And God's commission was to "fill the earth." This "filling" is one of the reasons for the great delay in ushering in that kingdom for which we are taught to pray.

The Permission of Evil

Man's experiences on the earth have been hard ones. Not only has he had to earn his living by "the sweat of his brow," but the inhumanity of man to man has filled all decent men with revulsion. Natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, famines, volcanic eruptions, have added to the misery of the human scene. Does man really want to live forever in such conditions? If there is a God, why has he permitted such suffering?

There is a purpose—and a good one—for all of this evil. Listen to the words of King Solomon: "And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail has God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith" (Eccl. 1:13). Sin was introduced on this earth through the intervention of an evil personality—Satan. His influence has made such evil epidemic. Every being who has ever lived can well identify with the words of David of old: "Behold, I was shaped in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Pss 51:5). One of the reasons for the success of the kingdom of God is based on a simple premise—that evil influences will be restrained—Satan will be bound.

"And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season" (Rev 20:1-3).

With Satan bound while man is educated in the laws of God and righteousness, human beings will have the wonderful opportunity to compare two life styles—sin, with its consequences of misery, sickness and death; and righteousness, with its consequences of happiness, health and life. Is there any question which they will choose! Certainly they will choose life.

Why God Permits Evil

Yes, as the wise man said, "this sore travail has God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith." Comparing the brief span of man's present life under sin and evil with an eternity of life under kingdom conditions, all will echo the sentiments of the Apostle Paul: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom 8:18)

Kingdom Helpers

But there is still one more reason for the long delay. The work of the kingdom is a big work. God's plan is that there be helpers to assist Jesus in this great human uplift project. When Jesus reigns, there are those who will reign with him. "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us" (2Tim 2:12). "Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev 20:6).

It is the selection of this class and their training which has occupied the centuries since the death of Christ to the present. These will be with their Lord in heaven, assisting him in the work of restoring men to perfect life on the earth. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1John 3:2).

For these three reasons—the filling of the earth, the full permission of man to experience evil and its consequences and the selection of a class of co-workers with Christ in the kingdom—there has been a delay of some twenty centuries in establishing that rule of righteousness. But come it will in God's own due time.

When Will That Kingdom Come?

How will we know when that kingdom comes? Is it near? Yes! It is near! The Bible contains abundant signs of changes that would take place in world conditions introducing that kingdom. Many of these are found in a sermon by Jesus located in Matthew, chapter 24, based on a prophecy in the book of Daniel, chapter 12. We will look briefly at just four of these:

(1) A Time Of Trouble Threatening To Destroy All Flesh:

"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (Mat 24:21-22).

Not until the second World War let loose the age of nuclear warfare has man had this ability to destroy all flesh. Today the dreaded word "overkill" heightens man's fear with the ability to destroy all flesh many times over.

(2) A Knowledge And Transportation Revolution:

"But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Dan 12:4).

With the introduction of compulsory education, the widespread availability of printed material, and the introduction of the computer age, knowledge has been exploding exponentially—doubling every five to eight years. Means of rapid transportation are so common that we may forget that our ancestors of only 150 years ago were restricted to the speed of a horse, and most died without traveling more than a few miles from their homes.

(3) Israel:

"My people of Israel...shall build the waste cities and inhabit them...and I will plant them upon their land and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, says the Lord your God" (Amos 9:14-15).

In a modern miracle, a people wandering homeless for 2000 years, have returned to their ancient homeland. Despite numerous onslaughts by overpowering numbers of enemies, they have endured and stand strong today among the family of nations.

(4) Preaching The Gospel:

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Mat 24:14).

In the early 1800's Bible societies were established in Europe and the United States for the sole purpose of distributing the scriptures all over the world. Today the Bible is still a best seller and is available in more than one thousand languages. Now, once again, hear the word of the Lord: "So likewise you, when you see these things come to pass, know you that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand" (Luke 21:31). We are living in a day when man has the potential to destroy all flesh. We are living in a day when knowledge has been increased and many run to and fro. We are living in a day when the rebirth of Israel in her ancient homeland is a fact. We are living in a day when the Gospel—the Bible—is being published throughout the world. Therefore we are living in a day when the kingdom of God is nigh at hand!

Yes, man has prayed for many things. He has prayed for nothing harder or more often than the kingdom. And that is a prayer that will soon be answered. "Our Father which is in heaven; hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Mat 6:9-10).