A People Rescued From the Dominion of Darkness — A Kingdom Truth for a Kingdom Purpose
It is early Sunday morning in Central New York. Today promises to be sunny with temperatures in the mid 70s (F) — a good day after so much rain and clouds. I was reading my Bible this morning, first in Colossians and then in 1 Peter, when I felt prompted to connect several verses, including some in Revelation and Isaiah. For me, they speak an incredible truth about who faithful believers ‘in Christ’ are and God’s plan for our world. Here are the verses:
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of Light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1: 10 — 14 NIV).
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (I Peter 2: 9, 10 NIV)
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work you fields and vineyards. And you will be called priests of our Lord, you will be named ministers of our God” (Isaiah 61: 3 — 6 NIV).
“You (Jesus) are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every people and nation. You have made them to be a Kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5: 9, 10 NIV).
“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11: 15 NIV).
A good way to begin Sunday morning. Helps me remember who I am in Him, His call on my life, and His plan for this world, no matter how messed up the world seems to be today.
Let us declare His praises and thank Him today.
John