THE CURRENT REIGN OF JESUS With insight and confidence Peter announced, "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" (Acts 2:32). -- Tomorrow:
" For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet."
(1 Corinthians 15:25)
Devotion 23 of 25
THE ENTHRONED KING WORKS
The events of the day of Pentecost were immediate evidence that the glorified Christ had occupied David's promised throne. He sent the Holy Spirit to men, through the very "air," over which Satan presides (Eph 2:2). The insight into Scripture, spiritual boldness, and abilities to communicate the Gospel that took place in that day of Pentecost resulted from this kingly act.
Men have been too enamored with the phenomenon of Pentecost, and not duly impressed with its results. Men rose above their natural limitations. The Word of God came alive in their spirits. They were able to correlate the death and resurrection of Christ with promises given by the Holy Spirit. Barriers that seemed impossible were brought down with spiritual weaponry that was not known until that time.
The King was working! He was subduing His enemies--the very ones who had crucified Him through the hands of lawless men. What 1,500 years of Law could not accomplish--the softening of rebellious hearts--a single powerful proclamation achieved. A reign was under way, the likes of which the world had never seen!
Those unduly influenced by the flesh would be more impressed with a military victory; the subduing of the Roman empire, or the overthrow of some other despotic governmental power. They achieved such things in times past with the overthrow of Og, Sihon, and Pharaoh. World empires like Babylon, the Medes and Persians, and Greece were also toppled under the mighty hand of God. However, there has never been a reign like that of Jesus; one in which the hearts of people are changed, and their affection anchored in heaven.
The reign of Jesus cannot successfully be contested. When He makes a judgment, no one can reverse or nullify it. Isaiah prophesied that such an Individual would come. "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon His shoulder; so He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut, and none shall open" (Isa 22:22).
Isaiah mentions "Eliakim the son of Hilkiah" in relation to this prophecy. "And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah. And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah" (Isa 22:20-21). Eliakim replaced Shebna, vainglorious treasurer that was "over the house." This man made "chariots" his glory rather than the righteous and discreet handling of affairs. Therefore, God brought him down, replacing him with a man of His own choosing.
Here was a prefigurement of Christ Himself, the coming Seed of David. Dignity would be afforded Eliakim that was unique. "And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah" (Isa 22:21). He was noted for being "over the household," according to God's own appointment (2 Kgs 18:18,37; 19:2). Chariots and military exploits were not his glory. His was a reign of God-given authority.
Lest there be any doubt about the matter, Jesus Himself states that He is the One with the "key of David." "To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth" (Rev 3:7). Observe that Christ's regal authority is employed in the behalf of the Philadelphian brethren. (1. He puts before them an open door that no man can shut; an opportunity of which they cannot be deprived. "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it . . . " (v 8), (2 He will cause their enemies to acknowledge Christ has set His love upon them. "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee" thee" (v 9). (3. He will keep them from the hour of testing which was "about to come upon the whole world" (v 10, NASV). Each one of these prerogatives was exercised from His throne, and with the "key of David."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for exalting Jesus to be King. I am no longer looking for another! I have found Him for whom my heart longs.