2001-02-27 - Prophecy Fulfilled

The Prophecy Fulfilled Series, Part 19

The Prophecy

Isaiah 9:7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

The Fulfillment

Luke 1:32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.

The kingdom of God in theological terms refers to God's universal rule over all things. David knew this when he said in 1 Chronicles 29:11, "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O Lord, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all." God's rules sovereignly over His creation and in so doing He exalts Himself as Lord over all.

The kingdom of God is called the kingdom of heaven in the book of Matthew. The terms are interchangeable. The reason Matthew, used the phrase, "kingdom of heaven," was because the target audience of his gospel was the Jews. The name of God was sacred to the Jews and they would have been offended by the use of the name of God. Thus in Matthew we read of the kingdom of heaven.

The Father and the Son both rule in the kingdom of God. But Christ has been given a special place. Colossians 1:13 tells us, "For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son." How this works itself out is a mystery for us because God has yet to reveal much about heaven to us. If you are interested in this subject try to find the book, "The Method of Divine Government, Physical and Moral", by James M'Cosh. You will need to find a theological library to find it because it has been out of print since 1850. But it is the best work on this subject.

As a practical implication in consideration of the government of God let us consider how much of a blessing it is that God, our creator and sustainer, is the ruler of His kingdom. Who else is more qualified to rule heaven and earth? How great must be the order, happiness, glory, and beauty of heaven when we see the order and design in the creation of earth? The unnumbered mass of saints in heaven is protected and sustained by God and what a glorious place it will be. The leadership and government of Christ is just one aspect of the wonder of heaven and in this prophecy and fulfillment we have His reign as a promise.

"Wherever thou meetest a Christian, he is going to heaven." William Gurnall

Soli Deo Gloria,
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