If I was to ask you what you thought about 'heaven' how would you respond? How about the phrase 'Kingdom of God'?
'The Kingdom' was something absolutely central to Jesus' teaching. It is a phrase that is found throughout the gospels. So you would have thought that most Christians would have a pretty good grasp of what Jesus was going on about.
Let's come back to the concept of heaven.
Do you think of heaven as somewhere you go to when you die? You are evacuated there from this planet. You escape there from your physical body.
Or do you think about heaven as something that you can bring to earth now?
From the New Testament clearly there is a future aspect of the Kingdom of God, but there is also a present aspect (e.g. Jesus talks about the KoG as being already 'upon you', Matthew 12:28, within the context of exorcism). It is this present aspect of the KoG that we sometimes lose sight of.
So often when we watch the news we are confronted with situations that may be described by some as 'hell on earth'. But, what would 'heaven on earth' look like? What would it look like in the community where I live?
I believe that environmental issues are important - not primarily because of the raging debate on global warming, but because God has given us this planet to care for, rather than to destroy. Is there rubbish in heaven? I'd say 'no'. So, where in my community are there areas where there is excess rubbish - and if I clear that rubbish away how does that relate to the present coming of the KoG? Will there be pollution in heaven, leading to health problems? Again, 'no'. So how do my attempts to reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions (e.g. walking and cycling rather than driving, using public transport rather than my car, using energy saving light bulbs...) relate to the coming KoG? And what about the multitude of other ways that communities and lives can be transformed by the people and the power of God?
Hey, it's been a long day and my brain's done - I'd appreciate your comments.
Click here to listen to Pastor Keith: "I'm a Christian - get me out of here". Willesden Green. 15 July 2007.
For more detailed article on the Kingdom of God click here
