Childlike closeness is central to the believer’s son-ship with Father God. This is the heart of the Gospel. By faith in the cross-work of Christ, we are adopted by God as His children. At salvation, God restores the believer and we are called “privileged to God,” our “Abba” (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6).
Christ had the unique position and power to address God as Abba, and publicans and sinners born into the Kingdom have this same authority – Abba “Dear Father.”
In first-century Jewish expectation, Messiah was to be “Warrior King” – a Davidic Redeemer. Messiah was to be a soldierly, priestly leader – a Conqueror. Christ was so different than what the Jews expected. Therefore, we must recognize their reluctance to believe He was truly Messiah.
Furthermore, He possessed the power to destroy the enemies of Israel by His word. All Christ had to do is command judgment and destruction on the enemies of the Jews and the enemies of God. Even in the time since Christ walked upon the earth, Christ could have given the word to destroy these same enemies. But, when the time of history is full, Christ will fulfill the Covenants of His Word, and He will destroy all enemies and all evil, and will then usher in eternity.
But, there are yet many prophecies to be lived out – tribulation, millennium, great white throne judgment, and the final execution of satan and all who are condemned.
God, through Christ and the Holy Spirit, has a time-frame for accomplishing the imperatives of history – God has a plan, always had a plan, always will have a plan. God is our Master-Planner, our glorious Savior, our precious Redeemer. Give Him the glory, great things He is doing.
Christ’s road of glory was not paved with the footprints of a conquering King, but a conquering Savior. He must first die for the lost sheep of Israel and the world. He must first and foremost be a suffering servant. He must walk the destiny of servant Savior down the road of humility and meekness to a cross. The tragedy of history must be lived on earth by the Son of God, so that all could be restored to an eternal relationship with Abba-Father.
When Christ rose from the dead, He provided the open portal through which anyone who will choose to do so may follow Him into eternity. Jesus did not fulfill national hopes or apocalyptic visions of grandeur, but He will upon His return. While we wait on history’s fulfillment, Jesus IS Lord. Come to Christ. His arms are wide open.
Happy Studying!