Focused On The Kingdom

The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” [Acts 7.54-56]

The revelation about Stephen's discourse before he was stoned to death was that he rehearsed God's relationship with mankind starting with Abraham (a primary icon of Jewish culture and religion) up through Moses, David, and then Jesus the Messiah. Why is this a revelation? Because Stephen recognized the progression of the Kingdom of God in it all. How do I know that? Because Stephen concluded his discourse with Kingdom-speak (words associated only with kingdoms). Stephen spoke of the glory of God (Kingdom words) and the place of honor at God's right hand (Kingdom words).

In short, Stephen understood the association of all that took place from Abraham to Jesus as Kingdom work. His closing declaration confirms this: "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!"

My point in this is that we too must learn our Kingdom ancestry. We are compelled to see the progression of God's Kingdom, preserved through all of Jewish history, that culminated in the Kingdom's accessibility to all through the work of Jesus. We must remain focused on the Kingdom of God.

And then, in our gravest hour, like Stephen, we too can see clearly into the Kingdom and no amount of persecution or pain can distract us. Frankly, from Stephen's account, it appears even the pain of persecution cannot touch us as we focus on the Kingdom. (Is it possible that as we focus on the Kingdom, the pain and suffering of this life no longer matter because it is no longer felt?)

As we peer into the Kingdom of God, who knows who might be watching? It might be a young man whose life will be rocked by our testimony and will, consequently, rock the world with his dedication to God AND HIS KINGDOM!

Father, I am in awe of the power of Your Kingdom as we look into it!