“MY KINGDOM”
Christ Jesus does not seek to be a physical, earthly king! John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Therefore he does not have a physical, earthly kingdom! John 18:36 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.
Jesus Christ’s kingdom renders him power, or authority over all other authorities! Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. John 19:9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. 10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. 12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him:
And there we have the fulfillment of the prophesy of Daniel 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 for ever. 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
He rules and reigns over all from His exalted position! Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
For Jesus Christ is even more of a conquerer than the Medes and Persians who took over Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian kingdom! And he was just as much a conquerer as was Alexander to conquered theirs. – And of Caesar who conquered the Greeks! But his is the last world wide kingdom. It shall endure forever! None shall conquer it! For its king is the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords! He is the Lord Jesus Christ, present ruler in his spiritual kingdom with all authority, over all creation.
He came conquering souls by his spiritual regeneration! Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Just simply consider this verse which we bring forth at this time of year, from which we emphasize only that portion which establishes for us his Incarnation, making nothing concerning his Exaltation! Isaiah 9:6 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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 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 judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Let us see that the disciples question concerning the kingdom being ‘restored’ was answered, not then by Christ, but by the Holy Spirit through Peter. For the King would not brag on himself! He turned over the answering of that to the Holy Spirit! John 16:13, 15 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He (Holy Spirit) shall take of mine, and show it unto you.”
Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. For Love (“God is love”), does not boast, nor call attention to itself. It seeketh not its own! 1 Corinthians 13:4,5.
Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?The Apostle Peter, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, preached on Pentecost that King David of Israel knew fully well that it would be the Messiah (Jesus Christ) who would fulfill the prophesy of the king on an eternal throne, and not himself! Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 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 into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on 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 have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
And the Lord Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem as conquering king, just as the prophesy clearly predicted! But he rode in on a donkey in order to show that his kingdom was not to suppress and lord over men physically! 1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Matthew 21:5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. 6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, 7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. 8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. Psalm 149:2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
And His being lord over all shall be literally proven out as every knee of every living creature shall bow to him. Whether angel or devil; whether reprobate or redeemed; every knee shall one day bow to King Jesus! Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Revelation 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. Jesus Christ is Lord over all!
In his kingdom he is presently reigning in regards to intercession and mediation! 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
And he shall continue that reign until all enemies are put under his feet! 1 Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. (Notice that word, “till!” It does not say, “he must start reigning “when!” But that he keeps on reigning “until!” That clearly shows that he is now reigning on his mediatorial throne, and does so “until” it changes into his eternal throne, when death is conquered by the resurrection!) For conquering the last enemy, which is death, will end his mediatorial reign.
John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
For he keeps reigning on that mediatorial throne until it develops into his eternal, glorious throne, becoming one with the Father, Spirit and the true church! 1 Corinthians 15:26 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, which 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.
2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Americans are working hard to stay out of the kingdom of heaven! For they seek not to be poor in spirit! Mark 10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Like the young, rich man, they seek present day accumulation, rather than future exaltation! Matthew 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.Yet, like another man who fared sumptuously daily, his riches would not even buy him a single drop of water in Hell!
And this love of money – not money itself, but the love of it – not only does a horrible act to the individual, but it also corrupts their entire society! 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
What does the Person of God have to say about this? He who made man, purposing his character to obtain glory, specifically sets forth these instructions: Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. He did not design human life to find it’s fulfillment in the quantity of possessions, but in the quality of righteousness!
And just how did the God-man occupy his own human body and character? 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, (that is, ‘he emptied himself’), and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
In closing, just what is the main thing eternal souls must primarily seek? Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Pastor Gene Breed
December 28, 2017