Heaven

Matthew 10:7 - And as you go, preach, saying, "The Kingdom of Heaven has come near."

What wondrous news that must have been to those who heard it! What wondrous news it is meant to be for us. But how do we understand the term "kingdom of heaven?" In Matthew, it usually means God. God has come near. God is in our midst - just as She is in the midst of the new Jerusalem (Psalm 46). What wondrous news! and what scary news!

Scary?

Yes. Because God's being in the midst of us is a constant reminder that we are to be about God's work, challenging us to go ever deeper in our relationship with him and with others - our neighbors. For the Israelites, the day of judgment was not a happy one! It meant fear and punishment. But often they felt so proud of their heritage they forgot this.

But for Jesus, it means both judgment and blessing. As with many theophanies, it is joyous and scary and wonderful and challenging. We do not always know what to make of it when God appears in our midst. But I am here to tell you that we need not worry. Jesus is both our judge and our accuser. God is love and we will not die forever.
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