Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Jesus Christ as King of the World! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Zechariah 14:9,

"The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name."

Specifically, this is a statement of the rule of Jesus Christ over all nations of the world. It is not some fuzzy reference to the rise and expansion of Christianity in the world, but a direct statement of the state of affairs when Jesus Christ comes back to earth and sets up his kingdom, a monarchy, over all the earth from Jerusalem.

We read of this in many places in Scripture, both the second advent (or "coming") of Jesus Christ and his rule as king of all nations of the world. There will be no nation, no culture, no society, no ethnic identity that will not exist under the rule of Jesus Christ. We are told in verse 16 that all surviving nations following the return of Jesus Christ will go up to Jerusalem to worship him there. They will celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.

As an interesting aside, it is my perspective that the prophecy that the Festival of Tabernacles will be celebrated when Jesus Christ establishes his rule on earth was Peter's misplaced understanding when the Lord transformed himself as we read in Matthew 17. When the Lord took Peter, James and John, his "inner-circle", up a high mountain, "There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters [or, "tabernacles"]—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." Matthew 17:2-4. When Peter witnessed the incredible sight of Jesus in his glory, he thought this rule of Jesus Christ over all the nations of the earth was unfolding before his eyes. The very thing Zechariah spoke of in chapter 14.

Possibly the most dramatic and moving reference to the reign of Jesus Christ over the whole world is found in Revelation 19:15-16, "Coming out of his [Jesus Christ's] mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

We read of the establishment of the Son of God as king over all the nations of the world in Psalm 2.

"Why do the nations conspire
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
    against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
'Let us break their chains
    and throw off their shackles.'

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
    the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger
    and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
'I have installed my king
    on Zion, my holy mountain.'

I will proclaim the Lord's decree:

He said to me, 'You are my son;
    today I have become your father.
Ask me,
    and I will make the nations your inheritance,
    the ends of the earth your possession.
You will break them with a rod of iron;
    you will dash them to pieces like pottery.'

Therefore, you kings, be wise;
    be warned, you rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear
    and celebrate his rule with trembling.
Kiss his son, or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him."

The establishment of the kingdom of God on earth with Jesus Christ's rule from Jerusalem will bring an end to the "religions" of the world. It will also bring about the end of the human rebellion against God on planet Earth. There will be no more of this confused and foggy thinking of "god is who you make him to be." Real justice, (not this materialistic pursuit of "social justice" that is fashionable today to sell socialism and the agenda of the progressive movement) will be established on earth.

What a day that will be when Jesus Christ comes back and sets up his kingdom here! All foretold in Zechariah's prophecy!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com

No comments: