The Gospel of the Kingdom: Interpreting the Times – Part 3

“Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

My hope in writing these messages is that they will deliver you from every other version of the gospel except the gospel of the kingdom—a gospel that has been virtually lost to us today.

I often blog about the importance of discerning the times in which we are living. According to First Chronicles 12:32, the sons of Issachar “understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do,” The original Hebrew word translated time is a figure of speech that can refer to a single event or continual occurrence.¹In the Scriptures the word is used in various ways to denote a “usual …. proper…suitable …. [or] appointed time,”² as well as “experiences, fortunes …. occurence …. [and] occasions.”³ The word can refer to a specific event as well as the events and seasons leading up to it.

There is a time spoken of in Haggai 2:6 when the Lord says, “I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.” He instructed the prophet Haggai to tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that He was about to shake the heavens and the earth. He was going to overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations (vs.21).

The One whose voice in earlier times shook the earth now makes another promise in Hebrews 12:26-27, “His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.” This event means that those things that can be shaken will be removed and taken away. The Message Bible translates these verses as “The phrase “one last shaking” means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered.”

Verse 28-29 says, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.”

Job 9:6 says that “He shakes the earth from its place, so that its foundations tremble.”

This is a time to be watchful and discerning. Change is inevitable. Transition is unavoidable. God honors His promise. If He says He will shake the realms, He will! And regardless of our discomfort, it will reflect His love for creation. This shaking we are presently experiencing is not for our destruction, but to bring about transformation by removing those things that are not of His kingdom. God is shaking us to propel us into His reality. We have entered a whole new era different than anything we have experienced before. The Church must learn to hear the voice of God to know how to navigate through this new era. Economies are shaking. Societies are shaking. Religion and governments are shaking. Man’s wisdom during this time will not prevail.

The King of Glory is awakening His Church!! God is looking for people filled with His Spirit — people with a prophet perception that can discern the times and act accordingly. Often as the church we disregard what we don’t want to hear or do. We become complacent with the status quo. As Christ’s Body we must be faithful to align ourselves with God’s eternal purpose, to uphold the connection between Christ the Head of the Church, and His Body. The church is Christ’s body, in which He speaks and acts, by which He fills everything with His presence (Eph. 1:23).

May God increase your spiritual hunger to see Him bless our churches again with a great spiritual renewal. May He bless our nation again with mighty spiritual awakenings. Until Jesus comes again “times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Ask God to increase your spiritual hunger to visit us once again with His grace.”

Notes: All Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.