Reign of Jesus Christ

Dear Brethren,

Who was the first king of Israel?  The first king was not King Saul or David or Solomon.  Jesus Christ was the first king of Israel, and He will soon become the everlasting king of Israel.

"The Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation."  (Jeremiah 10:10)  Yes, a terrible time of trouble and wrath is just ahead of us.  That is because all Israel has refused to follow Jesus Christ as king – they would not have Him rule over them.

Israel wanted to be like the nations around them - they wanted a flesh and blood king they could see.  Worse than that, they did not want to have to rely on God as their King.  "When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, No; but a [human] king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king."  (1 Samuel 12:12)  Jesus was King over Israel!

Jesus Christ saved Israel from Egypt – making them forever more indebted to Him.  But the rebellious people of Israel rejected God from ruling over them.  "…Thus says the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you: And ye have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said unto Him, No, but set a king over us."  (1 Samuel 10:18-19)

God seeks only those who will yield to Him with a willing heart – He is not going to force anyone into submission.  The prophet, Samuel, realized what a disastrous mistake Israel was making in seeking a human king to be over them.  "The Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them."  (1 Samuel 8:7)

After Saul was disqualified as king because of his disobedience, David became king – a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22).  God made a promise to David that there would always be one of his descendents on the throne of Israel. “Thus says the Lord; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel.”  (Jeremiah 33:17)   That promise alone demonstrates God’s hands-on involvement in the affairs of men – at all times.

King David said, "That the Lord may continue His word which he spoke concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you (said He) a man on the throne of Israel."  (1 Kings 2:4)  God was making a promise about the descendants of David who would sit on the throne of Israel.

"Thy house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever."  (2 Samuel 7:16)

"Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high.  I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him."  (Ezekiel 21:26-27)

"The Lord has sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon your throne.  If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore."  (Psalm 132:11-12)  And that specifically includes Jesus Christ who will occupy the throne of Israel at His return.   Jesus is destined to sit on the throne of His father, David, for evermore.

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."  (1 Timothy 1:17)

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Sermon:  "Reign of Jesus Christ"

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