Vision to the Kingdom

Vision to the Kingdom

by Presiding Bishop and Aaronic High Priest W. Kevin Romer

Vol. 19, Nymber 2, May/Jun/Jul?Aug 2018 Issue No.75

Jesus Christ, in whom existed the essence of righteousness (God’s holiness), came down from heaven bringing that righteousness back to the earth some 2,000 years ago, restored his church in 1830 through Joseph Smith, Jr. The Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is that church.

The church is not the destination, but the vehicle Christ built (cause of Zion) that will bring us to our final destination (the kingdom of God on Earth). The understanding that celestial glory (the kingdom of God) was intended to be here on the Earth now is the central theme of the church. Without the church and all its distinctives, the kingdom of God, Zion, cannot be established.

God is a God of order, and his church has structure and order. It is built on and through the essence of righteousness, the very powers of heaven. It is built on the rock of revelation with a prophet as of old. It has a government: a priesthood, (executive), that are connected to the heavenly realm, a people, (legislative), that express the church in their response to the ministry of Jesus Christ, and judges, (judicial), that assure order in all things.

The kingdom of God on Earth finds expression in three realms: spiritual, temporal, and missionary.

Spiritual:

Citizenship – through faith, repentance, baptism, and laying on of hands.
Attributes – meek, humble, forgiving, merciful, poor in spirit, thirsting after righteousness, compassionate, brokenhearted, pure in heart, full of charity, and unified.
Ordinances – blessing of children, administration to the sick, baptism, confirmation, sacrament of the Lord’s supper, ordination, patriarchal blessing,and marriage.

Temporal:

Economic System – consecration, United Order of Enoch, all things common (not a common purse), no poor among them, stewardship principles, tithing, offerings, surplus, inheritances, stewardships, and storehouse.

Missionary:

As soon as the kingdom appears, it becomes missionary-oriented by its very nature. Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ is a requisite to the kingdom; it is the call to preach the gospel of the kingdom to all the world.

Journey’s End – The Visible Community

Gathering – Those that hear his voice: his elect, the house of Israel, gathering of Judah to Jerusalem, gathering of Israel to Zion. Only in community can the kingdom of God find full expression.

Pure Love of Christ – The building of the kingdom of God cannot be accomplished unless the process of becoming complete (perfect) occurs, which will yield a people who have sacrificed all to become the “pure in heart,” being filled with charity, the pure love of Christ, the very essence of God himself.