“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever...”

  - Daniel 2.44

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]

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.

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 430-900 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.

This 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.

Psalm 72.9-11, 18-20 (Martyrdom: “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”)
O 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’?

Remembering Saint Patrick
Next week millions of people will celebrate themselves in the name of St. Patrick, drinking green beer, holding parades, “wearin’ the green”, and all manner of nonsense. What a great opportunity for Kingdom conversation! Everyone knows something about Patrick: He drove the snakes out of Ireland. He taught the Trinity with a shamrock. He bested the druids at Tara. Well, no. In fact, he wasn’t even Irish! You can learn about the real Patrick and the impact of his ministry by making a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe at this time. For your contribution in any amount I’ll send you The Legacy of Patrick, the story of Patrick’s work in Ireland and the spiritual, social, and cultural impact of the coming of the Kingdom to pagan land. Use the donate button here or at the website, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

The Kingdom is advancing. Is it advancing in and through you?

T. M. Moore, Principal
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