# The Gospel of the Kingdom (Part 1)
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This may come as a surprise to some but the concept of salvation in the old testament was not primarily concerned with the idea of an escape to heaven. Salvation in the Old Testament was about deliverance from one's enemies ([Exodus 14:30-31](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2014:30-31&version=ESV)), covenantal relationship ([Deut 28:1-2,15](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut+28%3A1-15&version=ESV)), forgiveness of sins ([Leviticus 4:26](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev+4%3A26&version=ESV)), and restoration and renewal ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jer+31%3A31-34&version=ESV)).

Humans chosen by God could only be confident in the Salvation that come from the Lord alone ([Psalm 62:1-2](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+62%3A1-2&version=ESV)),  that he is trustworthy and we need not be afraid ([Isaiah 12:2](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+12%3A2&version=ESV)), and instead might take joy in the God of our salvation ([Habakkuk 3:18](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk+3%3A18&version=ESV)), just as he delights in that which he has saved ([Zephaniah 3:17](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zephaniah+3%3A17&version=ESV)).

Salvation then is a beautiful and multifaceted thing. There are both material and spiritual ways in which the Lord intervenes in human history for the purposes of life preservation.

Yet salvation, once the concern for the *preservation of life* now, has over time come to be replaced with the concern that the individual is `right with God`, and `knows where they are going when they die`. A subtle move from salvation as a gracious act of mercy by a benevolent God to the helpless individual, to something now contingent upon the individuals agency. The primary goal of salvation, according to this perspective, is hell avoidance with Jesus as the means to mans salvific end.

This has never sat comfortably with me. I find it too simplistic. Jesus spoke more about living life in the present, and the realisation of the Kingdom of God, than he has done about eschatological events. Whilst Jesus does address eschatological themes in his teachings what Jesus actually taught was focussed on the practical aspects of daily living.

To those who would believe in him, Jesus was clear that it was necessary to inhabit his word [logos]; to 'abide' in the present before one could even consider calling oneself his disciple ([John8:31-32](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8%3A31-32&version=ESV)). This was necessary to not only truly be his disciple but to *know* the truth; through confrontation with the realisation of the logos of Christ[^1].

It is true that Paul urges us to set our minds on the things above ([Col 3:1-4](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Col+3%3A1-4&version=ESV)), but this is not a call to disengage from all earthly interactions and responsibilities. The purpose of the Christian life is not an escape to heaven, but the realisation of heaven on earth; "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven..." ([Matthew 6:10](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A10&version=ESV))

[^1]: See [this post](http://tilde.club/~chortle/log.php?type=faith&year=2023#subjectivity-and-truth) for further explaination of what is meant here.