We look forward to joining the great crowd who triumphantly cry, “Hallelujah, for the Lord our God the Almighty has taken to Himself kingly power” (Rev. 19:66And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6) JND), and to proclaim, “Let us rejoice and exult, and give Him glory; for the marriage of the Lamb is come.” This is our future joy and privilege.
While we look forward to such future events, Paul’s life as recorded in the Acts would remind us of our present privilege and responsibility concerning the kingdom. In Paul’s last visit with the Ephesian elders he said to them, “I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more,” and the last words in the Acts concerning Paul are of his “preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ.”
We live on earth today in the kingdom of God. We are part of it. Like Paul, we have a present responsibility to preach the things concerning that kingdom and to live righteously under God’s rule. We trust the focus of this issue will help us to understand and fulfill our present responsibilities as we await the soon-coming day when the Son of Man will reign over the earth in power and glory.