I’m going to set a context for this song by looking at some Bible prophesy which — I’m pretty sure — some who read these notes will say, as I can say, “This is NOT how I was taught!” But not to fear — many bright Bible teachers past and present have taught the things I’m sharing here today. I’m passing along to you their joyful, optimistic and widely held perspective that respects Scripture and inspires bright hope while energizing action for the Lord. Please give this vintage song from 1888 a sing-along listen, then come back for a chat on where we are in the Bible’s timeline.

“Thy Kingdom come …” — WHEN?

I had been taught over the years that Jesus is King, though not now present as king, that his kingdom of heaven is held in abeyance and some time in the future will address Old Testament promises made to Jews. Further, Christians are technically not part of that kingdom, but are, instead members of a different group called the body of Christ, and someday (soon, many hope) Jesus will return to snatch Christians up and away before terrible times — which I was taught will surely come — hit. THEN that kingdom of Heaven arrangement can kick in to rule the people it was intended for.

I would like to sketch a different view — which many through the centuries found to have even better support from the Bible.

I’ll summarize:

(See Daniel 2 for the whole story.) Daniel prophesied about six hundred years before Jesus was born that at some point during the time beginning with the years Babylon ruled and ending with the Roman Empire’s rule (so — from Daniel’s time, around the 600’s BC up to around the 400’s AD) God would start a kingdom that would never end but would steadily increase. This kingdom in Daniel’s prophesy began with Jesus Christ’s first coming and it continues to our day just as Daniel prophesied. Jesus is the king. He has ruled as king ever since the first century when he ascended and sat on the throne at the right hand of God. We can read about these things in the four Gospels. Later, after Pentecost, the “birthday of the church”, Paul wrote what was revealed to him about the body of Christ, which is the church, with Christ as the head. He wrote about the “new man” enablements that came with the new birth. As we come to understand these things from Paul’s writings, it gets clear to us that there is a divinely designed match between spirit-filled born again people and a king who died to make it all available. Jesus made it possible for us to be supernaturally fit to live on earth and thrive in the “ways” this heavenly kingdom operates here. We are made to live abundantly and to help the kingdom of heaven grow. We are in the kingdom and we are members of his body. Jesus Christ is both “king” and “head of the body” at the same time. Jesus will return. When he does it will be for a victorious church — not one taking its last breath. A victorious church! But what about the Great Tribulation? Where does that fit in? I am finally aware that many (through the centuries and right up to today) believe and ably teach that the “tribulation” described in Matthew 24 and 25 already occurred in 70 AD in Jerusalem. A good Biblical case for this view can be made. (And what joy we can properly have if this view is correct!) In any case, our view now should be to advance the kingdom — add to the family — be salt and light and labor for the Lord. No ducking and hiding. No fear. Joy. Gladness. Faithfulness. Signs, miracles and wonders. The kingdom is at hand. Lord Jesus is head of the body. God is wise. Praise the Lord!

Kingdom and body

Let’s look more at Jesus as King and Jesus as Head of the body.

John the Baptist said “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Later we read in the Gospels and Epistles that Jesus ascended and sat in power and authority at the right hand of God.

Later still, Paul said “And God put everything under His [Christ’s] feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

We see both King & kingdom and body of Christ. Two different pictures, two different ways to function. Both apparently going on at the same time.

So — a question — is Jesus Christ holding down two different jobs? Is he the King on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Head of the Body on Mondays and Wednesdays?

Is it possible that since the first century right up to today Jesus is both King and Head at the same time? Would that be so difficult? I think I am able to function as a member of the Body of Christ, in the Household & Family of God and as a contributor to the Lord’s Kingdom work all at the same time. This way of understanding our relationship with our Lord and Savior seems a bit simpler than the things I thought I understood from days past. (Though, when we dig into this, it might mess with some popular theology on end times. Maybe that’s a good thing, especially when that theology encourages Christians to withdraw, quit, get fearful and just wait and watch.)

We don’t need the body of Christ to be raptured out of here in order for the kingdom to become activated. From Daniel and John and Paul it sounds like both the kingdom and the body of Christ are up and running now. I don’t see a conflict.

When does the kingdom come? It is here. It has been growing and rolling for two thousand years. We, the born-again believers, can be part of “His will being done on earth as it is in heaven” with enablements that would blow the minds of Old Testament believers.

Where that puts us …

The Lord is moving. With him we are on the winning path. The church — the body of Christ — is getting bigger and stronger. The family of God is growing. The good works Christians are created in Christ Jesus to do will increase in power and scope. We are here to be Christ-directed leaders and workers in areas of concern, interest and need. We should regard it as unthinkable that God rejecters seeking to occupy seats of power would meet no competition or challenge from God-fearing people. “Occupy until I come.”

God’s will — being done on earth as it is in heaven — that’s the Kingdom work we are called to right now, today. What a privilege! This is where the more abundant life gets lived.

The Founding Fathers of the USA saw the Lord’s kingdom much in this light. John Adams said “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” We in the USA have the remarkable privilege of living under such a constitution at a time with enough active Christians to still enable this kind of government to work.

But let us be clear, that — until Christ returns — either our numbers and influence must increase or we risk failure like was experienced right after the miraculous deliverance from Pharaoh at the Red Sea. Whether we do our parts or not, God will not fail to get His will done by some means or other. But, just like Israel in the desert with Moses — if we don’t do our parts we might die in the wilderness and forty years later a new generation might get to see the greatness the Lord promised. The WHAT is God’s business. Many times the WHEN is ours. Our country was deliberately designed by the Founding Fathers to work in alignment with the King and with Kingdom ways. Let’s not squander this opportunity!

What do we do until Christ returns? We stand. We line up with the Lord and we square up against His enemies. We redeem the time and walk with faith, hope and love — because we know right now, in our day and time, there’s a fight to be fought.

God bless you lots
-Dale R.

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Download this song sheet

LYRICS: There’s A Fight To Be Fought
Text: Sarah G. Stock (1888)
Tune: P. P. Bliss

1. There’s a fight to be fought, there’s a work to be done,
And a foe to be met ere the set of the sun,
And the call has gone out o’er the land far and wide,
Who’ll follow the banner? Who’s on the Lord’s side?

Chorus:
Listen up! The call to battle
Resounds far and wide,
Who’ll follow the banner?
Who’s on the Lord’s side? (2x)

2. O’er the whole earth it sounds, both near and far away
Where the rebel usurper brings harm where he may;
There are chains to be severed, and souls to be freed;
Our Captain is calling us to follow his lead.

3. ‘Tis not each one is called in the front rank to fight,
There is room for us all, though our strength may be slight;
And the weakest and poorest good help may surly bring,
If only he’ll follow the ways of the King.

4. When the warfare is finished, the long struggle o’er,
And the Name of our Master all nations adore,
Then the glad shout of triumph shall ring far and wide,
O joy to the victor who’s on the Lord’s side!

LAST Chorus:
Listen up! The shout of triumph
Resounds far and wide,
O joy to the victor
Who’s on the Lord’s side! (2x)

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