P R O P H E C Y EDITED BY CHARLES L. FEINBERG, Th.D., Ph.D. DIRECTOR, TALBOT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
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By REV. ALBERT J. LINDSEY, D.D.* of God one day to end man’s rule and Satan’s power by the setting up of a kingdom on the earth over which God’s Son will reign as the King of righteousness. The pertinent question before the world today, as never before, is that of government. Who shall rule the world and how? It is interesting to note that the earth has upon it all possible forms of government except one, and furthermore that all have proved weak and in vain. This, of course, is to be expected because of human nature. Thus our Heavenly Father destined that there would be eventually a perfect government under His Son, Jesus Christ, who would take over the nations and the reign of government. This is the clear story of prophecy. One of the finest prophetic pictures of this is the smit ing stone of Daniel’s prophecy (chap ter 2) in which our Lord will break in pieces the kingdoms of men and establish His own which shall stand forever. Before we go farther let us pause to remember that the revelation of God reveals that the Lord Jesus Christ holds three divine offices, Prophet, Priest and King. Every Bible student knows that as Prophet, Jesus acts as God’s Spokesman, thus revealing God’s mind and conveys to man the divine will and heart. As Priest He holds the role of Mediator between God and man, and iii His atoning sacrifice reconciles believers to God, as well as becoming their Intercessor who represents and pleads their cause in the heavens. As King He is destined to reign over men, thereby putting into force the laws of God. While no one can overestimate the importance of His offices of Prophet and Priest, yet in this particular article our at tention and concern is that of Christ as King. Most of us know a little of the pomp, glory and grandeur that have surrounded earthly kings and queens, but it is evident from the prophetic Word that the splendor and glory of the person and reign of the Messiah as King in that day will far transcend all other rulers. Indeed, human lan
T h e g l o r y of Christ’s coining king dom is one of the most thrilling of all prophetic subjects revealed in the Revelation of God. In the prepara tion of ourselves to consider this glori ous reign it will help if we call to mind several pertinent portions of Scripture. “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. “ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judg ment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6, 7.) “ L ift up your heads, O y e gates; and be be lifted up, y e everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord m ighty in battle. “ L ift up your heads, 0 y e gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.” (Psalm 24:7-10.) “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth . . .” (Zech. 14:9.) “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. “ He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his fa ther David: “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:31-33.) “ But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, W e will not have this man to reign over us.” (Luke 19:14.) “ And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the D eliverer, and shall turn away ungod liness from Jacob.” (Romans 11:26.) “ And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Alm ighty God. “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” (Rev. 19:15,16.) Whatever else men may think it is obviously the divine purpose and plan
guage at its best will be inadequate to do justice to the glory of His reign. It seems very clear from the prophetic Word; when our Lord returns and takes His place upon the throne that God has ordained, the most glorious Person and Potentate of all ages will be seen by the world. Of His appear ance St. John in the Revelation says: “ His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” (Rev. 19:12,13.) Notice the text speaks of “many crowns” which is another way of re minding us that in that day He shall be King, not only of the Jews, but King of the Gentiles as well — truly “ King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Now if you are one of those who would like to behold a clear picture of this coming King and kingdom and thrill to that day to which every be liever looks forward, then you will find the following thrilling and heart-moving. Of all the portions of Scripture to which we might turn for an insight into this picture of future glory of our Lord and His kingdom perhaps none is more graphic than the seventy-sec ond Psalm. While the “ title” attrib utes this Psalm to Solomon and the contents of the Psalm are very favor able to his authorship, yet it is defi nitely Messianic. Millennial expres sions prevail throughout, for it is a psalm of the King when He comes in His kingdom. At once we are reminded of the great wisdom, magnificent splendor and glory of Solomon’s kingdom, but as we do so we are also reminded of those words found in both Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31, referring to our Lord, “ behold a greater than a Solo mon is here.” As we approach the twenty verses of the seventy-second Psalm we do so with the expectancy of seeing the glory of Christ’s kingdom. You recall how in the earthly days of our Lord’s ministry, Satan took our Lord “up into an exceeding high mountain and
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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