Aug 29 - 1 Corinthians 15:24

Then comes the end, when

he delivers the kingdom

to God the Father after

destroying every rule and

every authority and power.

1 Corinthians 15:24

 

There are five parts to the Christian story. Past, present, and future are three of these parts.

 

My past, for example, includes kindergarten at St. John's Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Virginia. My past also includes the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt, because Jesus has grafted my past into a greater past. 

 

When I marry a couple in the present, I'm also and often part of their future, baptizing the children that today are just a dream. 

 

But past, present, and future are only three of the five stages. 

 

I wasn't there to see the beginning, the earliest stage. But I daily enjoy the fruits of God saying, "let there be light ... and rivers ... and crawfish ..: and fruit trees. 

 

I (may or) may not be here to witness the "end" of this old earth. But that doesn't mean it's not coming. And that doesn't mean it's not part of my story. 

 

In 1 Corinthians 15:24, Paul the Apostle gives us a glimpse of the end, saying, "Then comes the end ..."

 

Jesus will "deliver[] the kingdom to God the Father." Just as God once required the action of his Son to deliver us from our sins, Jesus' action will be required to "restore" the kingdom to God the Father.

 

You see, God is THE King of Creation. But the King is allowed to delegate his authority. And God did just that in Genesis 1. He gave humankind dominion over the works of his hands. And while we retained much day-to-day authority to bless -- or break -- things in this life, we gave away practical authority of this world to the serpent in Genesis 3. That's why Satan is called "the (lower case) ruler of this world."

 

That's our present. That's our day-to-day future. But that's not the end!

 

"When" will Jesus "deliver[] the kingdom to God the Father"? After he "destroy[s] every rule and every authority and power."

 

Yes, Satan won't go easily. But let's focus on our part ,,,

 

We've given our authority away. To "deliver" us, God must "destroy" sin -- our sin. It's a Cosmic battle on a Cosmic scale. But it's also a personal battle on a personal scale. And it can start right now. 

 

In Christ's Love,

a guy who prays

- hopefully with you --

"God I'm tired of trying to be

in control of my own life,

and I confess that that's code for

diverting authority from you,

and giving it ultimately to Satan.

Lord, destroy the bonds of false priority

and deliver me daily and eternally

Into the joy of your kingdom!"