While He was on earth, Jesus announced that the kingdom of God was at hand. Yet when He was raised from the dead and returned back to the Father, the apostles did not go with Him. With our eyes opened to the final act of God’s story, it is easy to lose sight of God’s purpose for us in this world. God is continuing His redemption mission here on earth. And His church, the ordinary, Spirit-empowered followers of Christ, is His Plan A and there is no Plan B.