The coming of a new kingdom

Your enemy has fallen!

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:17-20 (ESV)morning-big

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Prophecy Fulfillment

The light shined on those in darkness . . .

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:1-7 (ESV)

A light dawned in Galilee as Jesus announced the arrival of the kingdom of heaven . . .
The prophets of ancient Israel had spoken of an age in which an heir to the throne of David would come to save her from her adversaries. God’s people learned to look forward to the promises of forgiveness, of the Spirit of God, of their bodily resurrection, and of glad tidings announced to the poor, all in order that they might freely worship him without opposition in the Messianic age of peace. As the long-awaited heir whom David himself had hailed as Lord, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies and demonstrated his full divinity by healing diseases, defeating demonic authorities, forgiving sins, proclaiming the good news to the poor, laying down his life, and rising from the dead. Now exalted to the right hand of his Father and having received as man all power, he gives his Spirit to those who, despairing of their own goodness, intellect, and power, trust the promise of forgiveness through Christ’s blood shed for the whole world. Through offering his life in word and sacrament, he brings the prophesied realm of his Father into this fallen age, before the final judgment of his enemies and the full, glorious presence of the Spirit with the resurrected heirs of the kingdom. | Sing with joy

It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

—Galatians 3:1b-6

In Dawning Realm (IC XC NIKA), David R. Bickel announces the good news of the kingdom of God as confessed at Caesarea Philippi, Nicea, and Augsburg. The Greek IC XC NIKA means Jesus Christ conquers.

“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

 

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