MAX ON LIFE

7. My question's pretty basic. What are we doing here? I mean, is God up to something? If so, what? Is he taking us somewhere? If so, where?

You are right. A more basic question doesn't exist.

One word works well as an answer: kingdom. God is creating a kingdom. He is collecting for himself an eternal populace that will reign with him in the new heaven and the new earth.

Old Testament prophets envisioned a time when God would affirm and establish his rule in a new way: "He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.... All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him" (Ps 72:8, 11).

They promised the earthly arrival of an anointed King, a Messiah, one uniquely related to God to serve as the instrument of his rule. "Your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey" (Zech 9:9).

It's all about the King and his kingdom. "And this is (God's) plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth" (Eph 1:10).

It seems to stack up like this:

• God created the universe as a habitation for humans.
• Humans exist to become a citizenry for Jesus, the King.
• Jesus, the King, came to the earth to purchase (pay for the sins of) his people and invited them to heaven.
• Those who accept his gift are placed in his family and empowered by his Spirit.
• He is coming back to reclaim us and his creation to reign over it forever.

The King and his kingdom. That's why we are here. That's where we are headed. That will be some coronation day, don't you think?

By: Max Lucado