Some of the most profound Scriptures determining that there would soon be an end to this way of life, and a new beginning of eternity, is written in Daniel 9: 22 – 24: saying, “Seventy weeks (of years, or 490 years) are decreed upon your people and upon your Holy City (Jerusalem), to finish and put an end to transgression, to seal up and make full the measure of sin, to purge away and make expiration and reconciliation for sin, to bring in everlasting righteousness (permanent moral and spiritual rectitude (strong moral integrity in character or actions, correctness in judgment) in every area and relation) to seal up vision and prophesy and prophet, and to anoint the Holy Place.” In other words, God was fed up with sin, and was going to put an end to it once and for all, and Jesus was the means by which He accomplished it.
From the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus, we hear the same message in Matthew 3: 2 + 4: 17: “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand (near).” Jesus came to give an invitation for any who would believe in Him, and change their ways for His, to become part of the Kingdom of Heaven, soon to be brought forth.
James 2: 5: says, “Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which He promised to those who love Him.” Here we see, as in so many Scriptures, that the Kingdom of God is a Place prepared by God for those who demonstrate their love toward Him by accepting His Son as their Savior.
Matthew 5: 3: says, “Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous-with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant) for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Revelations 21: 27: says, “And nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lambs Book of Life.
Revelations 11: 15: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there arose loud voices in Heaven, saying, “The Kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ (Jesus); and He will reign forever and ever.”
Revelations 5: 9 – 10: says, “And they sang anew song, saying, “Worthy art Thou (Jesus) to take the Book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy Blood men from every tribe and tongue and nation. And Thou hast made them a Kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: Your greatness could never be measured with our finite minds. Thank You so very much for Your overcoming Power that has provided for us a Place to dwell with You securely forever. Come by Your Holy Spirit, draw and give assurance of Salvation to all who have called, or would call upon Your Name for Salvation. Give us Your Holy discernment to know the times in which we live, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom, and not be deceived by the temporal. Glory to You alone!
