Episode 72 - The prefiguration of the Kingdom

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On our previous episode, we explored some aspects of how to keep God’s promises alive, so that we can wait for the Lord. The first aspect was about increasing our love for God and others. The second aspect was about making the congregation a prefiguration of the kingdom, a concept recently introduced by the Chief Apostle in the 2018 Pentecost service. In today’s episode, we will dive deeper in this second aspect.

When a congregation displays certain attributes, we can already perceive what the kingdom of God could be like. This heightens our joy and anticipation for Jesus Christ’s return.

Following are some characteristics that provide evidence of the prefiguration of the kingdom in our congregations: 

  • There is clear communication with one another and relationships are developed. Jesus healed – the deaf, the mute, and the blind… (cf. Matthew 11:2-5). Through this healing, people are able to understand more clearly. With Jesus’ help, we can overcome all things that might be a hindrance to our communication and relationships.
  • There is forgiveness. There is neither accusation nor gossip. Christ showed this when He did not condemn the adulteress, and the accusers were silenced (John 8:1-11).
  • There is humbleness. Jesus explained this to His disciples when they wondered who was the greatest among them, and He said to them that it was not about being the greatest, but about being the servant of all (cf. Luke 22:24-27). 
  • There is oneness. We become unified when there is no distinction between us, as we are all one in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29). Christ calls us to oneness, and that includes the children, the youth, the middle-aged, and the advanced-aged. We are also one in our condition of sinfulness; we are all in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23).
  • We understand what are the most important things, and don’t let the material things pollute the spiritual things. 

When this joy and love permeates the congregation, it shows that the congregation is waiting for Christ - they want to come to the kingdom!