Why peace on earth failed thus far?
1. When Jesus was born angels announced:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14
2. This was to be a fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
3. Jesus instructed his disciples to pray for it!
This, then, is how you should pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
you will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matt.6:9-10
4. John the Baptist begin to preach: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. Matt.3:2
5. Jesus preach: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. Matt.4:17
6. Disciples were to preach: As you go, preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Matt.10:7
7. Philip was preaching:
But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,
they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12
A. Jesus promised the end will come and what will he do!
1. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations;
and then shall the end come. Matt.24:14
2. The law and the prophets (were) until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached,and every man enters violently into it. Luke 16:16
3. Matt 25:31-42 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
And before him shall be gathered all nations:
and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in, …
Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ….
The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
Mt 25:41 "Then he will say to those on his left,`Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Mt 25:42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, …
B. Why the delay?
1. Apostle John said the whole world is help in subjection by the devil! 1 John 5:19
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
2. Evil spirits shouted to Jesus! Matt.8:29
What do you want with us, Son of Go? Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?
3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the
minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them. 2 Cor.4:3-4
4. Here is a 2000 years old problem! Acts 1:3-6
To whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days,
and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God: …
They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?
5. Scoffers will say these --> 2 Peter 3:3-4 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts.
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
6. God is waiting for me to come into the kingdom! 2 Peter 3:8-10-->
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a 1000 years, and a 1000 years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;
in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
7. Yes, make no mistakes, God is waiting for you and I to come into the kingdom!
Video: English Cantonese – Recorded 5/12/13
PART 1