CHRIST THE KING —

HIS MISSION, MERCY & MAJESTY

A Bible Lecture By G. G. Davies

Dear Friends,

At the birth of Jesus "wise men came from the east" to Jerusalem enquiring: "Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" At the end of his ministry, some 33 years later, when Christ was arraigned before Pilate the Roman governor asked: "Art thou a King?" to which question the Lord replied: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world" (John 18:36). When Christ died there was placed over his cross the superscription: JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS (John 19:19).

The Jewish people then (as now) angrily denied that the Lord rose from the dead, and that he is divinely appointed to govern their nation. They accused the followers of the Lord of sedition, claiming that they did things "contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another King, one Jesus" (Acts 17:7).

Christ is coming to reign, for it is not the purpose of God the Creator that the earth should forever remain the arena of blood and blasphemy. He has purposed, promised and partly performed His will to provide an alternative. Christ’s earthly kingdom will witness God’s will performed "in earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). God purposed this from the beginning, for He declared: "As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord" (Numbers 14:21). He promised it in the teaching of the prophets who predicted the setting up of the Kingdom of God at Christ’s return. And He has already partially performed it in the birth, ministry, resurrection and elevation to glory of His son the Lord Jesus Christ.

After his resurrection, the Lord triumphantly told his followers: "All power is given me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28: 18). He exercises that power now, and will do so more openly in the future. In preaching the Gospel, Paul taught that Christ is held in reserve in heaven until the time appointed when he will return to "judge the world in righteousness" (Acts 17:31), and to rule as a just and loving Prince of peace.

Some of the most moving words of the Bible speak of this King: his birth, upbringing, character, work, death, resurrection, elevation to heaven, and his return to this earth to rule to the glory of God and the well-being of humanity. The work is God’s work, for it is beyond the ability of flesh to accomplish. He begat Jesus, strengthened him, overshadowed his development, raised him from the tomb of death, elevated him as Mediator to His side, and ultimately will send him back again to reign eternally on His behalf, and to establish the promised "times of refreshing" (Acts 3: 19-21).

Why has man’s rule failed? Because of the disharmony of sin. Adam, the first created man, forfeited the right to eternal life by disobeying God’s law, and so bringing the human race subject to sin, disease and death (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 5:12). However, this did not frustrate or change God’s purpose, it only delayed it. God in His mercy and grace, provided a way of escape. In the first promise of redemption contained in the Bible (Genesis 3:15), He declared that He would provide a member of the human race called "the seed of the woman" (that is, a Son of God) who, through strength derived from Him, and by a sacrificial death unto resurrection to life, would conquer sin and death, and provide the means whereby those who lay hold on him may do likewise. "The seed of the woman," promised God, "will crush the serpent’s head" (Genesis 3:15). That is, the one whom He would provide, would destroy all that the serpent had produced, namely, sin and death.

God demonstrated to Adam the process by which this would be brought about. He slew a lamb, and clothed Adam and Eve with its skin (Genesis 3:21). In doing so, He dramatised His purpose to provide a Sovereign who would also be a Saviour. Accordingly, Paul wrote: "When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption (that is, status) of sons" (Gal. 4:4-5).

Christ appeared among men as "the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). His conquest of the flesh revealed his ability to reign over mankind, so that in The Revelation, the world’s future Sovereign is depicted as "the Lamb of God that had been slain" (Revelation 5:6) possessing the key of "the grave and of death" (Revelation 1:18). The redeemed are represented as praising him in the words:

Of them it is said, "they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Rev. 20:4).

Christ is figuratively represented as the Lamb of God who was "slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). This means that those who desire to "live and reign with him" must seek the covering that he can provide as the anti-type of that granted Adam and Eve at the beginning. He is that "covering" and is "put on" in baptism by which means sins are "covered" or forgiven (Psalm 32:1-2).

The fundamental requirement of God’s Kingdom will be the universal reverential respect that will be paid to God. Hence we read, according to the Hebrew: "There shall be a Ruler over mankind, a Just One, ruling in the fear of God" (2 Samuel 23:3).

A king possessing such qualifications is not only fit to rule, but has the ability to do so effectively. He will establish such a state upon earth as is expressed in the words of the angels at the birth of the Lord: "Glory to God in the highest; on earth peace and goodwill towards men." Or the petition in the prayer he taught his disciples to utter: ‘Thy kingdom come that Thy will may be done in earth as it is in heaven".

He reproved Peter, a beloved disciple, because he "savoured not the things that be of God but those of men" (Matt. 16:23). When one addressed him as "good master" he declared: "There is none good but One, that is God" (Matt. 19:17). With royal dignity he publicly denounced the religious leaders of his day because they failed to honour God (Matt. 23: 13-33). Sorrowfully, he predicted that the beloved city of Jerusalem would be destroyed and left desolate until he returns as King "in the name of the Lord" (v. 39).

Having first resurrected and rewarded with eternal life those who have lived in accordance with his precepts in this life, (1 Peter 4:17), Christ will move with infallible power and wisdom to bring mankind in subjection to the laws he will establish in the earth for their good and guidance.

It is obvious to every thinking person that the nations are moving towards "a time of trouble such as never was" as predicted in the Bible (Daniel 12:1). Bible prophecy requires that "all nations shall be drawn to Jerusalem to battle" (Zechariah 1 4:1 & 2), and the signs of this development are obvious today. The future of the Middle East has become a bone of contention between the major powers, and the issue of this crisis will decide the fate of the world. The prophet Ezekiel predicts that Russia will lead a confederacy of nations against Israel (Ezekiel 38) to be opposed by the Western powers. And this shall erupt into Armageddon. Victory, however, will be with neither Russia nor the West, but with the Lord Jesus Christ, who in company with some of his immortalised elect, will intervene to save the world from the fate of its folly. He will "destroy those who would destroy the earth" (Revelation 11:18), and establish his kingdom in righteousness: "In righteousness he doth judge and make war" (Revelation 19:11).

This is the will of God. He derives "no pleasure in the death" of the wicked, but that they may turn unto him and live (Ezekiel 18:32; 1 Timothy 2:4). Let any respond to the guidance and leadership of the Lord, and their future eternal inheritance and salvation are assured.

God delights in mercy. He extended himself 3,500 years ago to deliver Israel from Egypt, and led them across the Red Sea to safety. In doing so, He manifested himself as the Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 80:1).

That, likewise, will be the title and mission of the Lord at his return. He will deliver the nation of Israel from the trouble that will encompass it as Bible prophecy predicts (Ezekiel 34:11-13; Romans 11:26-32). Having accomplished that, he will act as Shepherd to the whole world, gathering the nations unto him, until all mankind is converted to his ways, and follow in his paths.

This implies delegated authority from God. Christ will perform this work on His behalf, and will elevate Israel to a national glory exceeding that of its previous history (Amos 9:11; Zechariah 14:11).

Outlining the practical manner in which this will be accomplished, Isaiah predicted the conditions that shall exist on earth when Christ reigns from Jerusalem, "the city of the great King" (Matthew 5:35) as the Lord described it:

There shall be one King (Zechariah 14:9); one Empire (Daniel 2:44); and one Religion (Zechariah 14:16). The evils that disgrace present society will be removed by his wise legislation and irresistible administration.

In the days of his reign, Truth shall be elevated in the earth (Isaiah 42:3). Christ told Pilate: "For this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth" (John 18:37).

The Truth is a Bible term. It is exclusive. There are not a series of truths, or various ways of worshipping God. There is but one, limited by the definite article the (see Ephesians 4:4-6). Christ declared: "I am the truth" (John 14:6). He was, and is the personification of all that it teaches. He also declared "the truth will make you free" (John 8:32), for it is the means designed of God to free mankind from the bondage of sin and death.

The Bible alone is the repository of that Truth, and it must be understood and acknowledged before one can worship God aright. Christ declared: ‘This is life eternal to know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3), and he further pleaded in prayer: "Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth" (John 17:17). Therefore, the Lord stipulated that acceptable worship must be in accordance with the Truth. "True worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth", he declared (John 4:24). How important it is that we seek out that truth, avoiding false teaching even though proclaimed in his name. Indeed, the Bible pronounces a curse upon those who dare set forth any deviation from the true Gospel (Galatians 1:8). On the other hand, God invites mankind to partake of that truth freely, without price (Isaiah 55:1), for in it is found the seed of eternal life. To those who make the effort to seek out Truth and make their way to him, he promises "the sure mercies of David": that is eternal life at the coming of His son.

It was upon the basis of these truths that Apostolic Christianity was proclaimed, and upon which, today, the Christadelphian movement is likewise founded. But the Apostles sadly predicted that the time would come when believers would be diverted from Truth to error, and an Apostate system would arise claiming the name Christian, but denying the doctrines of Christ (see Acts 20:29-30; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; 2 Peter 3:3-5 etc.).

These prophecies have been fulfilled in the development of a Christendom that is astray from the real teachings of Christ. This is to be changed. When Christ rules from Jerusalem it will be constituted a "city of truth" (Zechariah 8:3), the centre from whence God’s Word will be sent into all the world (Micah 4:1-4). Worshippers will converge on Jerusalem to be taught the precious life-giving doctrines that shall emanate therefrom (Zechariah 8:20-23), and that will mould them into one united world, with a common viewpoint, hope, and aspirations.

The glorious prophecies of Isaiah describe the state that shall then prevail: deserts transformed into fruitful fields of productive pasturage and growth (Isaiah 25:1-2); springs of sparkling living water breaking forth to fructify the soil (vv. 6-7); the dread diseases of today controlled or eliminated by proper living ordered by one who "knows what is in man".

Sin and sickness are closely related. Many sicknesses result from defiance of God’s natural laws whether by habit, labour or eating. As mankind will be compelled to live morally in accordance with the laws of God and nature, as the demoralising and polluting effect of modern city life with people herded together in insanitary conditions is eliminated by the dispersion of population in more rural areas, great benefits will be experienced. Healthful working conditions, will cause sickness to decline. There will be no need for scientific research into the cause of deadly diseases then, for those in control (Christ and his immortalised followers) will have exact understanding of the human constitution and will be able to control that which today results in ill health and terminal disease. Hence the prophet speaking of the future millennium declared: "The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick, the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity" (Isaiah 33:24).

The adverse conditions that God saw needful to bring upon the earth because of sin, conditions that man has aggravated by his own folly and stupidity, will be largely eliminated. The soil will produce abundantly (Amos 9:13), and longevity of life will be greatly extended (Isaiah 65:20). War will be outlawed, so that the wealth, effort, and resources today placed into preparations for it, then will be diverted into that which will be for the welfare of humanity. Mankind will be set free to worship God to their mental, social and physical well-being, under heaven-sent guides and rulers who have learned the benefit of living in accordance with God’s ways during the period of their mortal probation.

In the days of his mortality, when he appeared on earth 1,900 years ago, Christ demonstrated his ability to rule by the manner he deported himself among men, as he "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38). He manifested the power to cure all forms of mental and physical infirmity (Matthew 4:23 & 24), increasing the abundance of food when necessary (Matt. 14:19-21; 15:36-38), and exercising complete control over the forces of nature (Matt. 8:26). He had authority to forgive men their sins (Matt. 9:6); and the ability to guide them into ways of true happiness and peace.

But above all this was the glory of his character. He was God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16), in that he perfectly exhibited the character of his Father (John 1:14; 14:9; 17:6, 12 & 26). This is a combination of "goodness and severity" (Romans 11:22). Christ fearlessly denunciated the religious hypocrisy of the times; whilst extending help and encouragement to all who would "come unto him" (Matthew 11:28-30). He "loved righteousness, and hated iniquity" (Hebrews 1:9), extending himself to manifest the former whilst vigorously repudiating anything that would destroy it. He was not passive in his love and hate, but active and energetic.

He will be so at his return: ruthlessly setting aside the wickedness of humanity, destroying the influence of sin, and establishing upon earth the way of righteousness. In him will be seen all the excellencies of the divine character: such an outpouring of power as to bring vast changes in the earth. Even in the days of his mortality, Christ was "the Word made flesh" (John 1:14), for he fulfilled all the types and teaching of the Word, pleasing his Father in all aspects of his character. He returns as "the word of God" (Revelation 19:13) in perfect, glorious, holy, eternal, divine flesh, to destroy the forces of darkness, and gloriously illuminate society with divine teaching and morality.

He shall reign on earth in all his glory. It is promised that the remnant of the nations after Armageddon shall "go up from year to year" to Jerusalem to worship before him (Zechariah 14:16), viewing "the King in his beauty" (Isaiah 33:17).

They shall see one whose mother was the descendant of kings, whose Father is the Creator of the Universe. One who was put to death 1,900 years ago because of his denunciation of wickedness, but raised from death and taken away from the earth, by the power of God. He then will have returned to reign where he was crucified. He will be located centrally at Jerusalem, in the heart of the territory promised to Abraham as an everlasting possession (Genesis 13:13, Hebrews 11:13). He will built a stupendous temple in Jerusalem, excelling in dimensions and glory all edifices ever erected in the earth before (Haggai 2:9; Zechariah 6:13). This Temple will be "the place of his throne" the centre of his government (Ezekiel 43:7). His empire will embrace the entire globe (Daniel 7:14). The whole world will then wait for his law (Isaiah 42:4), which he will promulgate from Jerusalem (Micah 4:2).

He will be assisted in the work of government by an innumerable body of friends, who have been fitted for association with him by previous submission to the principles that actuated him: by faithfulness to his requirements in the days of his absence, by acknowledgement of his authority when men disowned and dishonoured him, and now by a physical transformation which has assimilated their resurrected bodies to his incorruptible and immortal nature (Revelation 1:6; 2:21; 5:10; 2 Timothy 2:12; Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:53; Luke 12:8; 19:11-19).

It is the promise of earth’s Creator that "the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). The same Power that created this earth alone has the ability to fulfil His purpose in it to that end, and the fulfilment of Bible prophecy today vindicates both His ability and intention.