Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.  
John 12:31-3

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 
Ephesians 1:18-21

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There is a movie trope involving a dystopian future in which, just before a pivotal scene of disaster occurs, an extra or side character is seen holding a sign warning people that the “end is coming.” This trope is meant to be a taste of irony, humor, or mocking, but it’s also connected to something that so many fear—that the end of the world as we know it is coming. 

What if I told you that the end of the world as we knew it has already come, but that’s actually the most glorious news you can imagine?

During his ministry, John the Baptist preached that the Kingdom of God was near. He implored the people to be ready for the one who would change everything, the one who would usher in something completely new, the one who would baptize with fire and redemption. He declared the overthrow of the world as they knew it, and he meant it as a very good thing. 

Jesus Himself declared that when He was lifted up on a cross, raised from the dead, and ascended into heaven, He would overthrow the prince of this world and draw people to Himself. He was declaring an overthrow of the powers of our world and that the days of dark dominion were no more—something new would be ushered in that would gather humanity back to Himself. 

Later, when praying blessing over the church in Ephesus, Paul leaned into these words and declared the authority and dominion of Jesus over the church with the assumption that it was something they already had access to. 

That’s the glory of the gospel: that while there is pain in the tension of waiting for the full and complete fulfillment of Christ’s return, we are not stuck without hope and without access to the kingdom of Jesus. The gospel is more than just a promise for a better future. The gospel is the glorious freedom and access to the kingdom of Heaven that is all around us. The promise that with His ascension, the entire world and its entire future was placed under the authority of King Jesus. 

So yes, there is still brokenness in this world, and Satan’s influence has not been fully wiped away, but his authority over the world has. There is an eternal, all-powerful King who reigns and is drawing each of us in and declaring us a part of the new kingdom. It’s already here. We don’t have to wait. 

I told you it was the most glorious news you can imagine!

Next Steps

Is there something in your life that has you worried or anxious? Spend some time in imaginative prayer over it: Visualize King Jesus on his throne, and physically hand over whatever it is that has you anxious. Approach the throne with confidence that you are loved and wanted in the kingdom of Jesus, and hand over your concern with the assurance that it is under the authority of a good and perfect king.