The Church in Exile

Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to the Kingdom Perspective.

Many cultural commentators are suggesting that the church in the Western world is experiencing greater degree of what the Bible calls “exile.” The church has lost its position of prominence and has become more scattered in its influence.

However, we must remember that even when we have the greatest freedom to gather, proclaim, and practice our faith, we are still a church in exile. Why? Well, ultimately, we are looking for a gathering that is yet to come. We are looking for the new heaven and the new earth. The church is created in Christ Jesus to be the New Jerusalem, that city that will come down out of heaven, a bride made ready by and for the Lamb—a multitude redeemed out of all tribes and nations and languages, from all times and all places!

For now, though, even in the best of conditions, the “communion of saints” we experience is only partial and incomplete. Yet, as we long for its fullness, we should always fight to make the best of it.

Nonetheless, even so, that fullness is only by faith. But take courage, someday our faith will be sight. Someday we will hear “the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready… (Revelations 19)

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”

~ 1 Peter 1:1-2 (ESV)