A BOOK YOU CAN TRUST

A Hope You Can Trust

When Jesus stood before Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, he spoke of a Kingdom or government, that "is no part of this world." (John 18:36) Indeed, Jesus taught his followers to pray for that royal government.  "Our Father in the heavens," he said. "let your kingdom come. Let you will take place, as in heaven, also upon the earth." (Matthew 6:9, 10) Note that God's Kingdom will cause God's will-not that of proud and ambitious men-to be done on earth.

Jesus rules as King in that heavenly Kingdom. And in harmony with God's original purpose, he will turn the earth into a global paradise. -Luke 23:43. 

When will God's Kingdom intervene in human affairs?  The resurrected Jesus gave an indication of the answer when he spoke to his apostle John, who was then imprisoned on the island of Patmos during the rule of Roman Emperor Domitian, the brother of Titus.  "There are seven kings," Jesus disclosed.  "Five have fallen, one is , the other has not yet arrive, but when he does arrive he must remain a short while." -Revelation 17:10. 

When John recorded those words, five "kings," or empires, had fallen; Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.  The one that "is," or existed at the time of the apostle John, was Rome. Hence only one remained-the final power of Bible history. What did it prove to be? How long will it rule? 

Next time:  How I Changed My Violent Ways

From the AWAKE! magazine, 2011