It’s been almost two full weeks since the United States government shut down on October 1, 2013. On that date, 800,000 federal employees were ordered not to show up for work. 1.3 million “essential” federal employees were ordered to show up for work, but were told they would not receive pay. Over 400 national parks and monuments were closed causing local economies to lose over $75 million per day. The nation’s capital, Washington D.C., was affected negatively to the estimated cost of $200 million per day. And the nation’s standing in the world took a hit as citizens vented frustration with their government and other nations feared the economic consequences of the irresponsibility of America’s leaders.
Governing a nation of over 310 million people is a difficult task. Yet, crippled and battered, the ship of state sails on. However, the Bible tells us that one day the United States government and the governments of every country in the world will come to an abrupt halt. It will be the shutdown to end all shutdowns. Imagine that: every single government in the world closing up shop.
In the heavenly vision that God gave to the Apostle John of the last days, it is revealed that after a series of judgments on the earth, an angel appears and blows a trumpet. At that time, Revelation 11:15 reads, “there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
The prophecies in the Book of Daniel shed more light on this great event. In Daniel 7:13-14, the prophet writes, “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days (God)… And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
The “son of man” is the Lord Jesus Christ. The “Ancient of Days” is God the Father, the Creator of the universe. At the end of time, Jesus Christ will return to this earth, and all the kingdoms and governments of the world will be turned over to Him. He will shut them all down and set up His everlasting kingdom which will never end and which will never be destroyed. The kingdom of Christ will never run out of money because Christ owns all the riches of the universe.
All of the people who have believed in Christ and trusted Him as their savior will live in His kingdom with Him. In Luke 22, as Jesus Christ was eating the last supper with His disciples, He promised them that one day, they would “eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.”
Wouldn’t you like to be seated at that glorious table in the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ? At the end of time, when all power in Heaven and Earth is placed in His hands, wouldn’t you like to be able to sit down and eat dinner with the King of the Universe?
To do so, you must become a citizen of Heaven — Christ’s Kingdom — while you are alive on this Earth. You must believe on Jesus Christ as your Savior from your sins and the punishment of sin just as the disciples did.
Allow me to explain it further.
First, you must recognize that your sins have separated you from God. Even though Adam and Eve were the first to sin, we must each take responsibility for our own actions. And the Bible says, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In honest repentance agree with God about your sinfulness and admit your need for forgiveness. First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Second, you must realize that God loves you, and believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins—taking the punishment you deserve. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only thing that makes it possible for God to forgive us of our sins and allow us to live in the coming Kingdom of Jesus Christ for eternity.
Third, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin and sin’s consequences by believing that he died, was buried, and rose again, and receiving Him into your life by faith. Romans 10:9 & 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If you accept Jesus Christ into your heart, you will begin a relationship with God that will last for eternity. You will become a citizen of Heaven even while you live on this Earth. If you want to begin this relationship right now, you can pray a short prayer to let God know that you have decided to trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour so that you can spend eternity with Him. Please repeat after me and mean it from your heart.
Holy Father God, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today and forever. Amen.
If you just trusted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and you prayed that prayer and meant it from your heart, I declare to you that based upon the Word of God, you are now saved and you are on your way to Heaven. Welcome to the family of God! I want to congratulate you on doing the most important thing in life and that is receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door”. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
Believe by faith. Share the faith. And keep the faith! God Bless You!