In the part one we looked at the first man (Adam) and the second man (Christ). When God created the first man, the first instruction he gave man was not, "worship me, for I am your God and creator". Rather, according to the Bible, the first thing that God said to man — the very first instruction — was, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” (Gen 1:18).
Then in the books of the gospel we see the second man, and all he kept talking about was kingdom, kingdom, kingdom. Yes, "Reign, govern, dominion, power, kingdom", these are the theme we see when we look at God's desire with the first and second man. He started with Adam, but Adam couldn't fulfill this purpose. Rather than ruling over the earth, Adam died (spiritually) and became subjected to the earth. He became subjected to struggles afflicted on him by the stubbornness of the soil. He became subjected to attack from wild animals. Subjected to the weather and everything on earth.
Adam became subject to the very thing he was instructed to rule. Even till today, despite the amazing breakthrough in technology, man still remains subject to the elements of the earth. Such a pitiful state in comparison to what God actually desire. He had to send the second man (Jesus) to restore man to his original intension. And when the second man came what was he occupied with? Yes, the Kingdom. It has always been about the Kingdom, and man must be restored back to that.
Let's not ignore that God had to take a series of step towards restoration before the arrival of the second man. One of the first major step was the calling of Abraham. Please, look carefully, what was Abraham called unto?
"Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city whose architect and builder is God himself." (Heb 11:10).
Abraham was called to leave everything in search of a city — a kingdom which city is architect by God. No, Abraham was not called to go search for a monotheistic religion. Today, the world know Abraham as the father of monotheistic religion. But was that what Abraham was after when he left his home? Was that the reason God called him? The world would keep projecting themselves and interpreting things based on their falling nature. It was never about religion. God was after a Kingdom and a city. In the book of Revelation we see the full picture of the vision Abraham was chasing.
"And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End." (Rev 21:2-6).
Yes, a Kingdom, a City, and a Bride. This was what God desire to bring forth through Abraham. Israel was a Kingdom, a City and a Bride. You will see this theme all over the Old Testament as Israel was designed to be a type, a picture and a prefigure of the Church — the real Bride, City and the manifestation of the Kingdom of God on earth. Hence, this thing that people call Christianity, this thing that we are meant to practice, is really about manifesting God's Kingdom. It is not about worshipping God and going to heaven. Neither is it about manipulating God and getting all the blessings you need.
What Is Christianity (Part 1): From The First
What Is Christianity (Part 3): Man's Perception Of Religion
What Is Christianity (Part 4): The People Of Israel
What Is Christianity (Part 5): The Origin Of Worship Service
What Is Christianity (Part 6): Towards A New Structure
What Is Christianity (Part 7): Ecclesia In Each Locality
What Is Christianity (Part 8): The Christian Life
No, it is not about weekly worship services, and doing good works to appease God. This rather is an intensional effort to manifest power, dominion, heavenly intelligence, and the will and reign of the King (Christ).
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