The King Is Coming with Jeff Kinley

7 Marks of a Last Day Disciple- Episode 1

In this opening episode of "The King Is Coming," Jeff Kinley explores the urgent necessity of defining true discipleship within the context of the "last days." He argues that surviving the increasing cultural opposition to faith requires more than casual belief; it demands a radical, life-altering commitment to Jesus Christ.

The Prophetic Context and the Nature of Belief

We are currently living in what can be described as the "last of the last days," evidenced by the rapid acceleration of globalism, advanced technology, and the restoration of Israel. These signs serve as tributaries leading into the grand river of God's prophetic narrative, signaling that believers must structure their lives to maximize their influence for Christ. The first essential mark of a last-day disciple is a genuine, biblical belief in Jesus. This is not merely "mental assent" to historical facts, but is rooted in the Greek word pistis, which implies a desperate clinging or total reliance—much like a barnacle adheres to a pier. This faith results in "positional righteousness," a judicial declaration by God that we are righteous in His sight, a standing that remains unchanged even when we stumble in our daily experience.

Defining the Disciple: Learner and Follower

The New Testament uses the word "disciple" (mathetes) 275 times, whereas "Christian" appears only three times, originally as a derogatory term. At its core, being a disciple means being a "learner" who follows the Master so closely that their entire lifestyle is upended. In the first century, this meant physically following Jesus, often leaving jobs and families behind. Today, it translates to a shift in allegiance where Christ becomes the primary authority over one's life. This relationship is defined by a "positional righteousness" where we are cloaked in Christ's own righteousness, ensuring there is "no condemnation" for those who have placed their trust in Him.

Counting the Radical Cost

Jesus frequently challenged the "multitudes" who followed Him for miracles or entertainment by raising the bar of commitment. He taught that true discipleship requires a love for Him so supreme that all other relationships—even to family—look like "hate" by comparison. Furthermore, He commanded followers to "carry their own cross," a vivid symbol of death and martyrdom to the first-century audience. This radical call includes "counting the cost" and surrendering the ownership of all possessions to Him. As modern society becomes increasingly diametrically opposed to biblical values, the distinctiveness of a disciple—their "saltiness"—is found in this total allegiance, which is the only way to thrive amidst rising persecution.

The Sifting of the Multitudes

The narrative of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (likely 15,000 to 20,000 people including women and children) illustrates the difference between "consumers" and "disciples." When Jesus moved from providing physical bread to declaring Himself the "Bread of Life" and demanding total spiritual assimilation, the crowds withdrew. Only the twelve remained, with Peter acknowledging that despite the difficulty of the statement, only Jesus has the "words of eternal life." This sifting process continues today; a last-day disciple is one who, like the twelve, recognizes that belief is a total commitment of life to the finished work of Christ.

True discipleship in the last days is not a casual association but a judicial and experiential reality. By understanding our positional righteousness and embracing the radical cost of following Jesus, we move from being mere consumers of religion to becoming resilient followers who can withstand the pressures of a changing world.