We have washed the NT clean of the political implications of the Kingdom of God. We have done such a good job that what the first century hearers heard in “Repent for God’s Kingdom has arrived”, we no longer hear, nor even understand. We have made bearing the cross something spiritually sterile. Early Christians bore their cross in non-violent opposition to the empire to their gory deaths. We are busy aligning ourselves with the kingdoms of men rather than establishing the rule of our King. We have changed the good news (gospel) into how to get a ticket to heaven. In the NT the meaning of the good news (gospel) is that God’s rule has arrived (Mark 1:14-15).
“Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. ‘The time promised by God has come at last!’ he announced. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” Mark 1:14-15 (NLT)
