His Government

Isaiah depicts the Son born, to bring a great light to the Jews. His redemption again is depicted in terms of the joy of a great harvest, or spoil of war. The oppressor and yoke of enemy nations poetically depict the curse of the law, which Jesus breaks by setting us free from sin. The Son also receives a kingdom upon the throne of David that is everlasting.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined…according to the joy in harvest and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor…

For to us a child is born, to 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. 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. (Is 9:2-7).

There is no mention that the kingdom of Christ should be delayed until some future period of earth. He comes, He is born, He sets us free, He receives His kingdom, He orders the world upon the throne of David and His government continues to increase throughout the world, through the gospel.

Passages like this lend themselves to a post-millennial view: a growth of gospel influence around the world until Christ returns. They also lend themselves to an a-millennial view: Christ reigning from heaven as His rules the nations and sends forth His word of salvation and peace. But there is no mention of Jesus ruling on earth for 1,000 years.

Imagine the difficulty that a pre-millennial pastor has in his Sunday service: “Good morning church. Jesus has saved us but the antichrist rules until His Second Coming. Until then all we can do is hide out and await a better day.” A better gospel is, “Good morning church. Jesus died for our sins and reigns in heaven. The world will come against us, but God’s will prevails. He will give us the victory through Jesus Christ.”.

The Glory to Follow

Psalm 22 describes His kingdom. It begins after His sufferings and extends throughout all the earth through the gospel. There is no gap before His kingdom begins. The writer of the book of Hebrews explained that this is fulfilled by Christ in the church age, when Christ declares praise amongst His brethren from the heathen nations (Heb 2:12):

They part My garments among them and cast lots upon My vesture…I will declare Your name to My brethren…praise Him; all you the seed of Jacob…For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither has He hid His face from Him...All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindred of the nations shall worship before You.

For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and He is the governor among the nations…They shall come and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He has done this. (Ps 22:17-31).

God has not despised the afflictions of Christ, but He heard His prayer on the cross. Hebrews 1 and 2 go through this in detail. Christ receives a kingdom after His cross and He brings salvation to the ends of the earth, by virtue of His sufferings, His gospel and through the Spirit of God. This is the message of all the prophets. They speak of the Gentiles flowing into Christ’s kingdom during this current age.

Lift up Your eyes round about and see…Your sons shall come from far and Your daughters shall be nursed at Your side…the abundance of the sea shall be converted to You, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto You…

For in My wrath I smote You, but in My favour have I had mercy on You. Therefore Your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring to You the forces of the Gentiles and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve You shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted. (Is 60:4-12).

This is the Spirit of God speaking to Christ through Isaiah. God smote Him for our sin, as Isaiah 53 describes. In this passage in chapter 60 the Spirit speaks of the Gentiles coming to Jerusalem, but this Jerusalem is Jesus Christ and His church. This is the New Jerusalem, having been renewed in the blood of Christ.