The ancient fortresses of the pagans, to which title had been gained by long habitation,
are empty and without worship like the place where Lugaid dwelt.
The little places that were settled by twos and threes
are Romes, with assemblies of hundreds and thousands.
Though it was far-flung and splendid, paganism has been destroyed:
the Kingdom of God the Father has filled heaven, earth, and sea.

  - Oengus mac Oengobann, Féilire Oengusso, Irish, 9th century[1]

“And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”

  - Daniel 2.44

Oengus was reflecting on the progress of the Kingdom of God over all the pagan deities and religions of Ireland. Where once great pagan “ring forts” had stood, now monastic communities and churches, started by “twos and threes” of God’s people, dominated the landscape. Where the pagan god of light and art, Lugaid, had been honored and adored, now Christ ruled supreme. What began as small assemblies had grown to communities and parishes of hundreds and thousands.

Oengus’ Féilire (“Martyrology”) celebrates the work of faithful Irish saints who believed God that His Kingdom would grow and overcome all obstacles and opposition to fill “heaven, earth, and sea.” Even though Ireland in the 5^th-7^th centuries was perhaps the most unlikely place for a revival to begin, this is precisely what happened, changing everything.

The Celtic Revival (ca 430-800 AD) is but one demonstration of the truth of Daniel’s vision of the Kingdom of God growing and overwhelming all opposition to bring grace, truth, justice, mercy, goodness, beauty, and stability to societies and nations through the proclamation of the Gospel.

Ireland was the wildest, most dangerous place in the world; even Roman legions balked at invading it. But the wild Irish tribes could not resist the power of the Gospel in the hands of courageous, faithful saints.

Why should we not expect the Kingdom of God to have the same impact in our day?

The fact is we don’t expect it. Even though Isaiah promised it (Is. 9.6, 7), Jesus commanded us to seek it (Matt. 6.33), and He taught us to pray for it to come on earth in the same manner that it obtains in heaven (Matt. 6.10).

But we don’t believe Daniel and Isaiah. We believe things are going to go from bad to worse and we just have to hold on for dear life until, just before we’re all swallowed up by the Beast, the Lord comes to rescue us. Whatever ideas we cherish about the Kingdom of God are strictly for the benefit of our souls. This is as much of the Kingdom as we seek or pray for, when we seek or pray for it.

But such is not the teaching of Scripture, and it is not the record of Church history. Our faulty understanding of the Gospel and of the Kingdom is keeping us from knowing the kind of reviving and transforming power that set the Irish free from paganism and liberated all of Western Europe into the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Kingdom of God for centuries after Patrick.

Why not in our day, too? Why should we not expect the Kingdom to flourish and advance in this way in our own day?

The difference between us and the saints Oengus celebrated is simple: They really believed their Bible, and they staked their lives on it. They envisioned the Kingdom coming with power, and they devoted themselves daily, in all the details of their lives, to seeking and advancing that holy heavenly realm.

You are a citizen and ambassador of the Kingdom of God. You are above all called to His Kingdom and glory (1 Thess. 2.12) and commanded to seek His Kingdom’s advance (Matt. 6.33). Pray that God will give you a compelling vision of the Kingdom coming in and through you, then go forth each day to seek it in everything you do.

For Reflection
1. Why do you think we see so little evidence of the Kingdom of God in our day?

2. What does it mean for you to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness?

Psalm 72.9-11, 18-20 (Martyrdom: Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed)
And let the Righteous rule the earth, and let His foes bow low!
Let nations praise His matchless worth, and all His bidding do!

Now bless the God of Israel Who wondrous works performs.
And bless His name, His glory tell both now and forevermore!

Lord, is my view of Your Kingdom what it should be? Is it the same as Daniel’s and Isaiah’s? Patrick’s? Oengus’? Jesus’? Help me today to seek Your Kingdom as I…

New at Ailbe
Have you discovered The Ailbe Podcast yet? Get to know our ministry and those who make it happen, and discover ways you can grow in your walk with and work for the Lord. Click here to listen to the current installment, then forward the link to a friend. While you’re at it, check out our newest feature in audio, The InVerse Theology Project.

Check out our new weekly Personal Mission Field Workshop. Here’s a resource that can help you improve your walk with and work for the Lord every day.

To become better equipped to shake off the lies of unbelief, download our free ReVision series, “The Lie.” Click here.

We thank God for you all!
Susie and I daily give thanks for all our readers. It is our privilege, together with the Board and Brothers of The Fellowship of Ailbe, to serve you with resources designed to enhance your life in the Kingdom of God. The Lord meets our needs by moving those we serve to share with us by their gifts and prayers. If the Lord moves you to give, you can use the Contribute button at the website to give with a credit card or through PayPal, or you can send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.

T. M. Moore
Principal
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[1] Carey, pp. 190, 191.