Inaugurating the Kingdom of God

In a few months, we will inaugurate a new president in this country. Tonight, the president-elect will proclaim a victory. But it will take over two months to transition power to the new administration. Finally, in January, we will inaugurate the new president. Between now and then, the president-elect will begin laying out his agenda and setting up his team. Plans will be made for the inauguration day.

Recently I have been reading a book by N.T. Wright, Evil and the Justice of God. In this book, he talks about the concept of "inaugurated eschatology." (Eschatology, being the final realization of the kingdom of God at the end of time.) He proposes that what we to be doing is inaugurating the kingdom of God in anticipation of the full revelation at the renewal of all things.

Jesus won the victory on the cross 2000 years ago. He promises that one day he will set up a new heaven AND a new earth. And here we live in the middle, stuck in time between election day and the inauguration party.

What are we to do in the mean time?

We are to begin the inauguration process.

How?
As living outposts of the kingdom of God, filled with his spirit, we begin to live as citizens of a new kingdom.

Together inaugurate the kingdom of God when...

- We share the gifts of grace with our fellow men: love, repentance and forgiveness (because love is the foundation of the kingdom)

- We reach out to the least among us (because in the kingdom, the least shall become the greatest)

- We give (because the kingdom is like a mustard seed)

- We live in freedom (because the kingdom is a life of righteousness, love, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit)

- We live in anticipation (because we know that one day the world will be set to rights)

The Kingdom Missions Fund is one part of inaugurated eschatology. As we give to those who are sharing the good news and ministering to the least among us, we usher in the kingdom of God.

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."