THE GLORY OF CHRIST By Rev. LeRoy Davis BSc. copyright 2003 by Rev. LeRoy Davis THE PERSON AND WORK OF CHRIST Lesson 20 KINGLY OFFICE Jesus, by the fact of His deity, is God and therefore has dominion over all that God has dominion over. Psa.103:19 declares His throne is established in the heavens and rules over all. It differs from His meditorial rule, in that it is His as part of the Godhead. The meditorial kingship which belongs to Christ is conferred on Him and is an economic kingship. It is His because He is the God-man. The meditorial kingship is not a new realm that had previously been outside His authority - no such place exists. It is a sovereignty that belonged to Him at birth but was only fully exercised when He entered into His exaltation. The meditorial kingdom can be defined as Christ's official power to rule all things in heaven and earth for the glory of God and the fulfillment of God's purpose of salvation. A. SPIRITUAL KINGSHIP 1. NATURE His spiritual kingship is His rule over His people the church. It relates to the spiritual realm and therefore is a spiritual reign. It is established in the hearts and lives of believers as the meditorial reign. It works directly for the salvation of His people and therefore is a spiritual reign. The fact that it is administered by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God rather than being coercive also makes it a spiritual reign. His kingship is manifested in the gathering of the church, its government, protection and perfection. Psa.2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Psa.45:6,7 Thy throne O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter. (7) Thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Heb.1:8,9 But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. (9) Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Psa.132:11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it; Of the of thy body will I set upon thy throne. Isa.9:6,7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of His government there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it and to
establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Jer.23:5,6 Behold the days come saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. (6) In His days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby he shall be called the Lord our righteousness. Mic.5:2 But thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting. Zech.6:13 Even He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. Lk.1:33 And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. Lk.19:27,38 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither and slay them before me. (38) Saying Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven and glory in the highest. Lk.22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed me; Jn.18:36,37 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (37) Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. This end was I born, for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice. Acts 2:30-36 Therefore being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loins according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; (31) He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. (32) This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33) Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (34) For David is not ascended up in the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, (35) Until I make thy foes thy footstool. (36) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ. Jesus is constantly called the head of the Church. While it is used in a literal and organic sense it is also used as the equivalent of king. The two ideas of organic connection and authority are used in conjunction when applying to Jesus. Eph.1:22 And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church. Eph.4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head even Christ. Eph.5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the
church: and He is the saviour of the body. Col.1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. Col.2:19 And not holding the Head, form which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. The relationship between the idea of His ruling in an organic and spiritual way can be looked at in the following manner: a. MYSTICAL AND JUDICIAL When we speak of His headship we consider the mystical union that exists between Christ and His body. It belongs then to being. Kingship, on the other hand, indicates authority and rulership so belongs to the judicial realm. b. HEADSHIP SUBSERVIENT It is His headship that is the means of the exercise of His kingship. It is through His headship that He exercises the power of His kingship in and over the church. Premillennialists acknowledge His headship over the church but deny that He is king of the church. They are in effect saying that He is not the authoritative ruler of the church. The officers of the church, in this view, do not represent Him in the government of the church. Generally they not only deny He is king of the church, but His kingship as well. He is king but not come into the effective right of that kingship. It is good to recognize that they are not consistent in this. They in actuality recognize the authority of Jesus Christ. 2. EXTENT OF KINGDOM a. GROUNDED IN REDEMPTION The redeeming grace of God is the origin of His meditorial kingship, not the creative work of God. No one can be in the kingdom because of his humanity - citizenship is reserved for the redeemed. The ransom He paid made them His. The merits of His complete and perfect sacrifice are applied by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, those who are redeemed belong to Him and acknowledge Him as their Lord and King. b. SPIRITUAL The Old Testament kingdom of Israel was a type of the Kingdom of Christ. Even in the Old Testament the reality of the kingdom was known by faith. The kings, and other officials reigned as representatives of the Great King and were to carry out His will, follow His precepts and rule according to His law. They symbolized the reality of the Kingship of Christ in the New Testament era. The bringing in of the New Covenant meant that the Old, with its shadows and types, was done away, and that includes the theocratic kingdom of Israel. The New Covenant shows the spiritual nature of the kingdom more clearly than does the Old Covenant. In the New Testament His reign is called the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven. Christ is the meditorial king of that kingdom. Premillennialists, in another of their errors, teach that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven as they are mentioned in the Gospels refer to the universal kingdom of God and the future meditorial kingdom of Christ respectively. Yet as some of their own
leaders must admit, the terms are used interchangeably in the Gospels. Matthew used the kingdom of heaven while Luke referring to the same statements of Jesus used the phrase kingdom of God. The spiritual nature of the kingdom is brought out by stating what it is like, it is like seed, leaven, entered by new birth, is not of this world and is of truth. It is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It s citizens are meek, peacemakers, merciful, pure in heart and hunger and thirst for righteousness. The spiritual kingdom is the kingdom of the Bible. This truth must be maintained. Those who deny the present reality of the kingdom and hold for a future kingdom as a restored theocratic kingdom like the Old Testament undermine the truth of the kingdom. Mt.8:11,12 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. (12) But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mt.21:43 Therefore I say unto you the Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to the nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Mk.4:26-30...the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;...the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself ;...he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come....the kingdom of God...what comparison shall we compare it? Lk.17:21 Neither shall ye say Lo here! or lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Jn.3:3,5 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of the water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Jn.18:36,37,39 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (37) Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. This end was I born, for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice. (39) But ye have a custom], that I should release unto you one at the Passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Rom.14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. There is a tendency in current theological thought to regard the Kingdom of God as new social order, established by human effort such as education, better laws and social reforms. That is not the kingdom the Bible speaks about. The kingdom of God is the rule of God in the hearts of the redeemed. When we see this, we recognize that human efforts and external changes are of little value as far as the kingdom is concerned. The establishment of the kingdom of God in human hearts cannot happen by human effort but only as work of the Holy Spirit. The degree to which human beings respond to the rule of God and obey the laws of His kingdom will be the measure of the changes in social conditions. If all those who currently claim to be under the rule of God would faithful obey His laws, the whole nature of society would be radically different.
The term kingdom of God is used in Scripture to denote the kingship of God and Christ, the extent and conditions of the realm of His rule, the blessings and privileges that come from His rule, that which makes the triumphant culmination of His reign possible. Mt.7:21 Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mt.19:23,24...Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven (24) And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Mt.8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mt.13:44,45 Again the Kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all he hath, and buyeth the field. (45) Again the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls. Mt.22:2-14 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son,... to call them that were bidden, they would not come they made light of it when the king heard hereof he was wroth :... and destroyed those murderers, as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage....wedding was furnished with guests.he saw a man, which had not on a wedding garment: he as speechless...cast him into outer darkness many are called few are chosen. (Lk.14:16-24). Lk.13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. c. PRESENT AND FUTURE Contrary to what many Premillennialists would have us believe, the teaching of Jesus and the Apostles was that the kingdom is a present reality. It is currently developing in the hearts and lives of those who respond to the gospel. It is also growing in every area increasing its spheres of influence. Mt.12:28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Lk.17:21 Neither shall ye say Lo here! or lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Col.1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. The other side is that the kingdom is also a future hope. The eschatological aspect of the kingdom is a prominent feature in the teaching of Scripture. Mt.7:21,22 Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mt.19:23...Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom
of heaven Mt.22:2-14 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son,... to call them that were bidden... they would not come they made light of it when the king heard hereof he was wroth :...and destroyed those murderers,...as many as ye shall find,... bid to the marriage... wedding was furnished with guests... he saw a man, which had not on a wedding garment:... he as speechless cast him into outer darkness. many are called few are chosen. Mt.25:1-13,34 The kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, all slumbered..then all arose...they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: ye know neither the day nor the hour, wherein the Son of man cometh... then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Lk.22:29,30 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed me; (30) That ye may eat and drink and my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 1 Cor.6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, or abusers of themselves with mankind. 1 Cor.15:50 Now I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Gal.5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Eph.5:5 For this ye know that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 1 The.2:12 That ye should walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory. 2 Tim.4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Heb.12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 2 Pet.1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The future kingdom will be essentially the same as current one, the rule of God established and recognized in the hearts of the believers. When Jesus comes again, the establishment and acknowledgment of this rule will be more fully revealed, it will be perfected. The spiritual rule of Christ will be visible and majestic. d. RELATED TO BUT NOT IDENTICAL WITH THE CHURCH The Kingdom is closely related to the church yet it is not totally identical with it. Citizenship in the kingdom is membership in the invisible church. The kingdom has a wider
scope than the church. Its goal is the control of all life in all its manifestations. The visible church alone is the divinely instituted and most important external organization of the kingdom. The Church is God s great instrument for the extension of the kingdom of God in the earth. In some Scriptures the term kingdom of God is nearly equivalent to the Church. Mt.8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mt.13:24-30,47-50 The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: his enemy came and sowed tares.... from whence hath it tares?... an enemy hath done this...wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? Let both grow until harvest ;... like a net that was cast into the sea gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away....the angels shall come to sever the wicked from among the just, cast them into the furnace of fire: We must distinguish the Church and the kingdom. We should not however go to the extreme of the Premillennialists and regard the kingdom as the theocratic kingdom of Israel to be restored in the future. They compound their error by holding that the church is the body of Christ consisting of both Jews and Gentiles in this present age. An eternally separate people of God. The truth is that Israel was the Church in the Old Testament. In its spiritual essence it is a unity with the church of the New Testament. Acts 7:38 This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our Fathers; who received the living oracles to give unto us. Rom.11:11-24...through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles...some of the branches were broken off that I might be grafted in...the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree? Gal.3:7-9,29 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith the same are the children of Abraham.(8) and the scripture seeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. (9) so then they which be of faith are blessed with Abraham. (29) And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Eph.2:11-22 Ye being in times past Gentiles called uncircumcision... aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants... are made nigh...hath broken down the middle wall to make in Himself one new man,... reconcile both unto God in one body... no more strangers or foreigners, but fellow-citizens... built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone...in whom ye are builded together an habitation of God through the Spirit. 3. DURATION a. BEGINNING The Premillennialists hold that the kingship of Christ will not begin until He is seated upon David's throne and rules in the millennium, which happens at His second coming. Soccians taught that Christ was neither a king or a priest prior to the ascension. The general teaching of the Church has been and to a large degree still is, that Christ was appointed meditorial King in eternity. He began to function in this capacity immediately after the Fall.
Prov.8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning or ever the earth was. Psa.2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. Under the Old Covenant He performed His work as King through the judges and typical kings of Israel. He ruled as Mediator before the incarnation but did not do so publicly or in a formal sense. He publicly, and formally assumed His throne and inaugurated His spiritual kingdom at the time of His ascension at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Acts 2:29-36...David that he is both dead and buried... (30) Therefore being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his loins according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; (31) He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. (32) This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (33) Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. (34) For David is not ascended up in the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, (35) Until I make thy foes thy footstool. (36) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye crucified, both Lord and Christ. Phil.2:5-11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...made Himself of no reputation, became obedient to death...god hath highly exalted him, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord... b. TERMINATION The Scriptures show that His spiritual rule over the Church will continue eternally. At the consummation of the world it will have important changes in its method of operation. The eternal nature of the kingdom is specifically taught in the Bible. Psa.45:6 Thy throne O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter. Heb.1:8 But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Psa.72:17 His name shall endure for ever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed. Psa.89:36,37 His seed shall endure for ever and His throne as the sun before me. (37) It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah. Isa.9:7 Of the increase of His government there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Dan.2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever. 2 Sam.7:13,16 He shall build an house for my name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom for ever. 16) And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever
before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. Lk.1:33 And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. 2 Pet.1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The kingship of Christ and His headship are irrevocably linked together. They work along side of each other, the headship is sometimes shown as including the kingship. He will never cease to be the head of the church - that would leave the body without a head. He is called a priest forever after the order of Mechizedek. This would show that the kingship is also forever since His meditorial office is one unit. Eph.1:21,22 Far above all principalities and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in his world, but also in that which is to come. (22) and hath put all things under His feet, and have Him to be head over all things to the church. Eph.5:22-24 Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the saviour of the body. (24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Some would suggest that 1 Cor.15 teaches that His kingship will cease when the salvation of His people is complete. This passage refers to His kingship over the universe. 1 Cor.15:24-28 Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He hall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (25) For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. (26) The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (27) For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted that did put all things under Him. (28)And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. B. UNIVERSAL 1. NATURE He, as the God-man, has dominion over the universe. His providence rules in all things for the best interests of the Church. He as the Ruler of the universe and Mediator guides the destinies of individuals, nations, and social groups. He is active in promoting the growth, gradual purification and ultimately the perfection of those He has redeemed. He protects His own against the dangers of the world. He subjects and destroys His enemies to vindicate His righteousness. The initial restoration of the original kingship of man is seen in Jesus. It is of great comfort to Christians to realize that He now rules in the destinies of individuals and nations. There is not much comfort in the thought that He is now in hiding or in abeyance waiting until He can take His throne as some teach. 2. RELATION OF RULE OVER CHURCH TO RULE OVER ALL THINGS The Kingship of Jesus over the universe is along side of His spiritual kingdom. He is the anointed King and so it is His responsibility to establish the spiritual kingdom, govern it and protect it from hostile forces. He must fulfill this responsibility in a world that is under the power of sin and determined to prevent all spiritual enterprises. If He did not control the
world, then it could prevent the success of His efforts. God has given Him all authority. He is therefore in control of the forces and powers in the world. He can protect His people from the world. He also protects them from the powers of darkness. The evil forces cannot frustrate His purposes and are even forces to serve His purpose. His rule is a blessing even to the point that the wrath of man serves to praise God. 3. DURATION His formal investure with kingship over the universe was the reward of His labours and transpired at His ascension. It was part of His exaltation as the God-man. Neither His territory nor His authority were increased as the Son of God. He was made possessor of these as the God-man. Now His human nature could share the glory of His dominion. The government of the world is now made to serve the interest of His church. This aspect of His kingship will continue until all enemies, including death have been abolished. At the consummation He will surrender this authority that was given for a special purpose. It will no longer be needed. God will be all in all. The purpose is fulfilled, mankind is redeemed and consequently the original kingship has been restored to man. *** This brings us to the end of our study on The Glory of Christ. I trust you have learned many things about our wonderful Lord. There is much in these lessons so don t hesitate to review and restudy them. Now is a great time to return the http://www.freebible-study-lessons.com and begin a new course. Never stop learning and growing! God bless, Glenn Davis