<p class="s12"><span class="s14">REALIZED ESCHATOLOGY</span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">The average conservative, evangelical church has done a great job of pursuing evangelism – that is, seeking to ensure that everyone gives their lives to Jesus, the Christ. Additionally, they go all over the world to preach salvation through Jesus in honor of Matthew 28:19,20, </span><span class="s16">“Go  therefore and  make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am  with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Amen. </span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">As a result, they do well with providing opportunity for humanity to live with Jesus after He returns (Eschatology = the study of the end times which includes the return of Christ, resurrection of the dead, judgment and the final destination of humanity) .</span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">Unfortunately, these churches have not done as great of a job in providing opportunity for humans to live before Jesus returns.</span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">Additionally, the Black Church once operated out of this theology. It preached the Gospel of Jesus, the Christ, and encouraged everyone to accept Him for salvation, as it also provided food, clothing and shelter; established schools and colleges to educated people; advocated for the marginalized and vocalized for the voiceless. </span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">At a point in the history of the Black Church became a platform for supporting social gatherings (teas, baby contests, fashion shows, annual days, etc.), and social clubs (Masons, Eastern Star, fraternities, sororities, etc.).</span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">While not negating nor diminishing the church’s role of supporting social gatherings and social clubs, I am challenged to consider how the church can reestablish its role of feeding, clothing, housing, educating, advocating, vocalizing, etc., while encouraging everyone to receive Jesus as their Lord, Savior and Friend.</span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s12"><span class="s15">“Teaching, Preaching and Reaching the world for Transformation and Liberation”</span></p>
<p class="s12"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, </span><span class="s15">He revealed that His ministry was about transforming and liberating </span><span class="s15">the </span><span class="s15">lives</span><span class="s15"> of humanity. Luke 4:17-21 is Jesus’ first public </span><span class="s15">message. Notice what He said that He was anointed to do</span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s14">Luke 4:17-21</span></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The  Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To</span></p>

<div class="s17">1. <span class="s15">Preach the gospel to the poor</span></div>
<div class="s17">2. <span class="s15">To heal the brokenhearted</span></div>
<div class="s17">3. <span class="s15">To proclaim liberty to the captives</span></div>
<div class="s17">4. <span class="s15">[To proclaim] recovery of sight to the blind</span></div>
<div class="s17">5. <span class="s15">To  set at liberty those who are  oppressed</span></div>
<div class="s17">6. <span class="s15">To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” </span></div>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is  fulfilled in your hearing.”</span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">At the end of Jesus’ ministry on the earth, He spoke these words in Matthew 25:31-40. Notice here the criteria that Jesus will use to determine those who are considered </span><span class="s15">His sheep.</span> <span class="s15">Notice that it is </span><span class="s15">based upon what we have done for the least of these in this world</span><span class="s15">. The love that we show to humanity is the evidence </span><span class="s15">that we possess the</span> <span class="s15">love of God</span><span class="s15">, and have relationship with God.</span></p>
<p class="s13"></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s14">Matthew 25:31-40</span></p>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the  holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and  He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the  sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father,  inherit the kingdom  prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for </span></p>

<div class="s17">1. <span class="s15">I was hungry and you gave Me food</span></div>
<div class="s17">2. <span class="s15">I was thirsty and you gave Me drink</span></div>
<div class="s17">3. <span class="s15">I was a stranger and you took Me in</span></div>
<div class="s17">4. <span class="s15">I was naked and you clothed Me</span></div>
<div class="s17">5. <span class="s15">I was sick and you visited Me</span></div>
<div class="s17">6. <span class="s15">I was in prison and you came to Me.’ </span></div>
<p class="s13"><span class="s15">“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you,  inas</span><a name="_GoBack"></a><span class="s15">much as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’</span></p>