“The kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20) Stephen preached the message of the kingdom in Samaria, people listened and then saw the results that followed! In the fullest sense, the kingdom must be “inherited” not by flesh and blood but through the resurrection and in a new body. Time will then end for those who believe, and Eternity will begin. Those not rising to meet the Lord at his coming will continue in Time.
But we should not deny the present power of the kingdom! Good News that cannot be seen as well as heard is not the Good News of the kind preached by Philip with great effect in Samaria. Most people have heard much of the Christian message but have seen very little of its power. These increasingly troubled times require us to not just preach but also demonstrate “the powers of the age which is to come” (Hebrews 6:5)
Hear me! Not since the time of Moses and the separation of the children of Israel from the tyranny of ancient Egypt and escape into the Promised Land has the contrast been so stark between those who belong to the world system and those who believe in Jesus and the Kingdom of God. There’s little time left for those who’ve been willing to compromise God’s truth.
Those refusing to compromise the Truth will be despised by most people for attributing the series of “God’s judgements in the earth” to their rebellion against God (Isaiah 26:9). Persecutors of Christians will attribute the terrible disasters and unnatural events to the unwillingness of the Lord’s followers to accept Climate Change and similar follies.
In denying such follies we will be seen as contributing to them, and even as responsible for them; and likely penalized accordingly. But these End Time events are portents to those who remain faithful — some as martyrs and all beyond this life into Eternity. Meantime let’s enjoy the “everlasting life” in our spirits as a down payment on our future immortal bodies.