Conclusion of WHAT GOD'S KINGDOM IS

Here is another truth about God's Kingdom:  Jesus will not rule alone.  He will have corulers. For example, the apostle Paul told Timothy:  "If we go on enduring, we shall also rule together as kings." (2 Timothy 2:12) Yes, Paul, Timothy, and other faithful ones who have been selected by God will rule together with Jesus in the heavenly Kingdom.  How many will have that privilege? 

As pointed out in Chapter 7 of this book, the apostle John was given a vision which he saw "the Lamb [Jesus Christ] standing upon Mount Zion [his royal position in heaven], and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written  on their foreheads."  Who are these 144,000? John himself tells us:  "These are the ones  that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits  to God and to the Lamb." (Revelation 14:1, 4)  Yes, they are faithful followers of Jesus Christ specially chosen to rule in heaven with him. After being raised out of death to heavenly life, "they are  to rule as kings over the earth" along with Jesus. (Revelation 5:10) Since the days of the apostles, God has been selecting faithful Christians in order to complete the number 144,000. 

To arrange for Jesus and the 144,000 to rule mankind is very loving.  For one thing, Jesus knows what it is like to be a human and to suffer.  Paul said that Jesus is  "not one who cannot sympathize with out weaknesses,m but one who has been tested in all respects like ourselves, but without sin." (Hebrews 4:15; 5:8)  His corulers too have suffered  and endured as humans.  In addition, they have struggled with imperfection and coped with all kinds of sickness. Surely, they will understand the problems that humans face!

Next time: WHAT WILL GOD'S KINGDOM DO?

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006