A town meeting

"And now for the invocation…" said the mayor of my town as the Town Council began its meeting. I was pleasantly surprised to see this practice has survived in our secular age.

The chamber of City Hall was filled with people, young and old, with business to bring before the mayor and commissioners. Some were there for kudos and awards; others had problems and complaints and were there to seek redress.

The proceedings moved quickly and smoothly under the guidance of the popular mayor, who was obviously in charge and who handled each item of business with attentiveness and good humor. At the end, not everybody was pleased with the outcome, but everybody had been heard and given consideration. Some items of business were not given a final decision, but were tabled for more consideration.

All in all it was a positive experience, and an example of the kind of local government that many parts of the world long to have; peaceful, responsive, representative governing in a thriving community.

As a Christian, I came away with some observations that many people might over-look, especially if they are not familiar with what the Scriptures of the Bible actually have to say about the reward of the "saved." While most mainstream churches proclaim a "feel good gospel" about the person of Jesus, with the hope of prosperity in this life and vague promises of an afterlife in heaven, which is not the message of the Bible. Actually, the town meeting that I attended was much more attuned to the message of Christ than the mainstream message. "Really?" you may ask. Check it out. The Bible makes it very plain.

Read the parable of the minas in Luke 19. In the story, Jesus described those who were faithful in handling the resources entrusted to them: "And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.' And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.' Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities'" (vv. 17-19).

Do we grasp the meaning of this? The Messiah promised rulership to His faithful followers, not some vague, ethereal reward. The good message is that true Christians who are faithful to the end will actually govern, working with people to solve problems and to bring about the peace and plenty that God wants mankind to enjoy.

In other passages He makes it even clearer. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy:

"If we endure, we shall also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12). And, in the mysterious book of Revelation, the Apostle John was inspired to write: "And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10).

There are many more very plain references to "kings and priests" that pertain to the reward of the "saved." We should realize that the reference to kings has to do with civil governing, and the reference to priests has to do with teaching the truth of God's ways to people whose minds have been opened to understanding. It makes a fascinating, exciting, mind-expanding study.

If you want to know more about what the future holds for you, backed up by Scripture and plain teaching, request our booklet entitled Your Ultimate Destiny. It is an eye opener!

Prepare now to govern your town meetings.