What does "waiting for the kingdom of God" mean for modern believers? Setting the Scene “Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent Council member who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went in boldly to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body.” (Mark 15:43) What Joseph’s Waiting Looked Like • Active faith—he stepped forward when it was risky • Public identification with Jesus in a hostile environment • Costly generosity—his own tomb (Matthew 27:60) • Courage rooted in certain hope of God’s rule Defining “Waiting for the Kingdom” Today Waiting is not passive; it is confident expectancy that God’s sovereign reign—already inaugurated in Christ—will be fully revealed. Modern believers mirror Joseph by: • Trusting Christ’s promised return (Titus 2:13) • Living under God’s moral authority now (Matthew 6:33) • Anticipating the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21) Key Characteristics of Kingdom-Focused Waiting 1. Steadfast Hope – Romans 8:23-25: we “groan inwardly” yet “wait eagerly.” 2. Holy Living – 2 Peter 3:11-12: “What kind of people ought you to be?” 3. Bold Witness – Philippians 3:20: our “citizenship is in heaven”; we speak and act accordingly. 4. Sacrificial Service – Luke 12:32-34: investing earthly resources in eternal treasure. 5. Persevering Prayer – Matthew 6:10: “Your kingdom come” shapes daily intercession. Practical Expressions in Everyday Life • Prioritize gospel proclamation even when unpopular. • Choose integrity over convenience at work and school. • Hold possessions loosely, giving generously to kingdom causes. • Cultivate spiritual disciplines that keep hope vivid—Bible intake, fellowship, Lord’s Supper. • Confront injustice, reflecting the coming King’s righteousness. The Encouragement of Certainty Hebrews 9:28 reminds us: “He will appear a second time…to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Waiting anchored in this certainty empowers joyful endurance amid cultural pressure, personal trials, and global turmoil. Closing Takeaway Like Joseph, believers today wait for the kingdom by living as if the King has already arrived—because He has—and by longing for the day His reign is fully seen. |
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