“To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” - Revelation 1:5-6
Politicians are fond of telling their opponents, “You’re on the wrong side of History.” What they mean is, “We know the future and you and your ideas have no place in it.”
But of course, no one but God knows the future. Politicians are especially bad at predicting it. Even if they don’t really believe it themselves, they will always claim that their side is going to win. It’s part of their marketing strategy; they have to convince people to join their party and be on the “winning side.”
But Jesus, who is Lord of all and whose glory and dominion will never fail, actually knows the future because He’s already there. He is eternal, outside of time. And in His Word He has laid out the events of World History in advance for us to know.
The picture that He lays out doesn’t sound like His Kingdom is winning at any point in History until the very end. God’s people will always be on the “wrong side of History” as this world sees it; despised, rejected, persecuted by the world until the very end.
We don’t follow Jesus to be on the right side of History. We follow Him because He has loved us, freed us from our sins by His blood, and made us who trust in Him a Kingdom of priests, who intercede for all of mankind and speak to them on His behalf.
Ultimately, yes, the Kingdom of God will prevail - but not in this life. Our goal isn’t world domination but the salvation of the world.
Jesus, the one who loves us; Jesus, the one who has freed us from our sins by His blood; Jesus, who has made us a Kingdom; Jesus, who has made us priests to God; Jesus rules heaven and earth forever; Jesus is Lord. That has already been settled.
Lord, You have called me to be like You, a servant; to love, forgive and pray for those who despise, reject and oppose You. Let the light of Your presence shine through me so that You are seen in my life and salvation can come to many. Awaken faith in those for whom we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles