We’re in the middle of a series that eagerly anticipates the celebration of the birth of our blessed Redeemer. We’re looking at just three of the many promises Christmas has kept, all three of which are contained in just one verse of sacred Scripture. On Monday we looked at our first promise: a child who would be born and a Son given. Today I want to encourage you with the next promise . . .
Promise #2
. . . And the government will be on his shoulders. (Isaiah 9:6)
Here we find one of those “already” and “not yet” aspects of the kingdom of God. In His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension, our Lord Jesus Christ has ushered in the kingdom of God. Sin, Satan, and death have been defeated. But, as has been well said, the old dragon has been slain, but his tail still swishes! The victory has certainly been won, but it has not yet been fully realized and consummated. That will not happen until Jesus returns as the King of kings and Lord of lords, and then every government will rest upon His shoulders.
There is a time coming when Jesus will reign over a literal, earthly kingdom from sea to shining sea. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; all governments will submit and surrender to His Lordship. And of His rule and reign there shall be no end!
In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. (Daniel 2:44)
The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name. (Zechariah 14:9)
Remember, unlike every kingdom of this world that uses force to establish its rule and reign, the kingdom of Christ is built upon faith. To catch a glimpse of just how different His kingdom is from every other kingdom in this world, we need look no further than the incredible names that follow this promise. And we will do just that on Friday.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 