Get Your Pretense On!

30 • Get Your Pretense On!

themselves to be the family of the Father, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Spirit on earth for all to see and to marvel at.

As the Church tells the Story of God’s eternal covenant faithfulness in Jesus, the Holy Spirit draws the lost to the Lord. Now through his ministry, he is calling men, women, boys, and girls from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation into union with Christ by faith. Through his sealing and anointing, the Holy Spirit is drawing new members into Christ’s body. In their repentance and faith they make their election sure, being baptized by faith, accepting the Good News of Christ’s grace, and by being incorporated into his Church. Regardless of culture, gender, class, or place, these believing disciples are welcomed into the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic community of the King. Awaiting the Return of the King to Reign In our day we enter into the very last days of the Story. Soon and very soon, when the work of proclamation is finished, God will direct his Son to return to earth. Soon the visions of the prophets will come to pass, and the word of the apostles will come true. The Lord Jesus Christ, who began his work in the Incarnation and secured it upon the Cross, will establish God’s Kingdom throughout the entire universe. All of God’s creation will experience the glorious freedom of God’s children. Jesus will return, judge the world in righteousness, and then, under God’s direction, establish his glorious and eternal reign. Satan and his minions will be judged, and the world will be transformed. The glory of God will be revealed, and all creation will rejoice. Sorrow, disease, death, and shame will be banished forever, and the kingdom of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ – and he will reign forever.