LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD NOVEMBER 16, 2023
Dear Saints living in God’s kingdom on earth, greetings
and blessings,
As every day has its challenges, consider the following
scripture from
I Thessalonians 5 which is sub-titled “Christ’s Second
Coming.
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no
need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord
so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden
destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall
not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day
should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light and the children of
the day; we are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 Therefore, let us not sleep as do others; but let us
watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be
drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on
the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we
should live together with him.
11 Wherefore, comfort yourselves together and edify one
another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor
among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their
work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are
unruly; comfort the feeble-minded; support the weak; be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but
ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole
spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy salutation.
27 I charge you, by the Lord, that this epistle be read
unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
What kingdom are you living in? Your own kingdom, the
kingdoms of the world, or God’s Kingdom?
We can answer that by looking at the life we each are
living. Further counsel is given in Doctrine and Covenants 128:8a The Spirit
saith further: That these organizations contemplated in the law may be effected
and the benefits to be derived therefrom be enjoyed by the Saints-in such
enjoyment they cannot withdraw themselves so completely from a qualified
dependence upon their Gentile neighbors surrounding them as to be entirely free
from intercommunication with them;
b yet it is incumbent upon the Saints, while reaping the
benefits of these organizations, to so conduct themselves in the carrying into
operation the details of their organizations as to be in the world but not of
it, c living and acting honestly and honorably before God and in the sight
of all men, using the things of this world in the manner designed of God, that
the places where they occupy may shine as Zion, the redeemed of the Lord.
An excerpt from a 1970 “Daily Bread,” “Signs of Our
Time,” There are Saints who feel that just by being in Zion, the Center Place
they will be prepared for Christ’s return and be safe. The Lord will not spare
Zion if people are there just for safety’s sake. Those who live in Zion will
not escape if their hearts and daily actions are not right. Of this much we can
be sure: HE IS COMING. For this reason we must be anxiously engaged in seeking
first to build up His kingdom and establish His righteousness, working in every way possible to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
God Bless
Paul Gage
