Romans 14:17 declares that “the kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Today we have the reality of the kingdom within us. In the coming age and eternity the kingdom will also be manifested around us.
The context of Romans 14 shows that these three blessings are for today. However, today they are only inward; the outward situation of the world is unrighteous, not peaceful, and sad. At the end of John 16 the Lord’s words about this age are that in Him we have peace but in the world we have affliction.
When the Lord returns to reign over the whole earth there will be righteousness and peace and joy inwardly and around us, in the kingdom age and even more in eternity.• 2 Peter 3:13, “we are expecting new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”• the name Jerusalem means foundation of peace• Revelation 19:7, “Let us rejoice and exult, and let us give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
If we live a kingdom life today we will be fully prepared to enjoy these three blessings now and to enter into their fullness in the coming age and in New Jerusalem.
Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses about Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Spirit Now and in New Jerusalem.
