CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM Devotion 2 of 36 By way of introduction, it is necessary to draw attention to the kingdoms of this world. They provide a contrast that accentuates the glory of the kingdom into which we have been transferred (Col 1:13). All of the world's kingdoms, whether political, philosophical, or natural, are destined to pass away. They have all been contaminated with the virus of iniquity. At their best, they are vastly inferior to the kingdom of God. This is a truth that must be seen if spiritual productivity is to be realized within the perimeter of time. -- Tomorrow:
"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 judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this!" (Isaiah 9:6-7)
The kingdoms of the world are under the temporary administration of our adversary, the devil, who is the "prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). He operates unwillingly under the administration of the Living God. It is God who is actually "the Governor among the nations" (Psalm 22:28), fulfilling His will. As it is written, "Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps" (Psalm 135:6, NASB). However notable these kingdoms may appear, they have within them the seeds of corruption. Thus, they have been momentarily given over to Satan. He works through them in his vain attempts to thwart Divine objective. To many, this is a mystery, but it need not be so.
When our blessed Lord faced the devil in a time of concentrated temptation, the adversary sought to turn Jesus from His mission by showing Him the kingdoms of this world. "And the devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, showed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it" (Luke 4:5-6). Jesus did not contradict what the devil said. Nor, indeed, did the Holy Spirit provide a Divine disclaimer when He moved Luke to write his Gospel. What Satan said was true! However, it is to be viewed within the greater context of Divine purposed and power!
Because of this circumstance, earthly kingdoms have NOT been entrusted with the ministry of preparing the saints for glory. The truth of the Gospel has not been committed into their trust, and they have not been appointed to be the guardians of truth. Throughout history, and in accordance with Divine objectives, some governments have protected believers, cleared the way for the spread of the truth, and opposed the spread of sin. Such governments, however, were never permanent, and they have always been few. They eventually became corrupt, even opposing the truth they once defended. Our own nation is a case in point. Ultimately, the kingdoms of this world have been given to Satan. They belong to him, and he works his diabolical purposes through them. This is the case because they are temporal.
Eventually, Jesus will be the only recognized Governor, and His purpose will swallow up all worldly empires. This is described as the time "when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power" (1 Cor 15:54). At that time, the authority of Christ will no longer be resisted in any form. There will be no aggression against the King, the truth, or His people! The revelation of Christ will spell the end of all defiance against Him. As it is written, "the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed -- for our testimony to you was believed" (2 Thess 1:7-10). No enemy of Christ will be able to stand before Him, and they certainly will not resist Him. Their cry will not be "to arms!" Rather, they will cry for the rocks and mountains to hide them from the presence and wrath of the Lamb (Rev 6:16). Their destruction will be effortless – no battle, no engagement of the foe in any sense! Paul describes Satanic opposition at its apex, disintegrating in the presence of the Lord. In vivid words he writes, "And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming" (2 Thess 2:8).
This is the time when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. He will be recognized by every personality, with no exceptions. For some, it will be the culmination of a great salvation. For others, it will be the beginning of everlasting torments. Make no mistake about this! The Kingdom of Christ will crush every other kingdom. As it is written, "And the seventh angel sounded; and there arose loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever'" (Rev 11:15, NASB).
If we rise high enough, Jesus is the only Ruler now. However, He is not so recognized. The sounding of the seventh angel did not contradict the declaration that "all authority in heaven and earth" has been given to Christ NOW (Matt 28:18). That rule, however, has been obscured to those who live by sight. Jesus IS ruling now, governing the nations, restraining Satan, and employing even "the basest of men" to fulfill His purposes (Dan 4:17). The day this becomes apparent is the day the "kingdoms of this world" will become "the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ." None will contest His reign in that day! God has spoken! "I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance" (Isa 45:23, NASB). The Spirit made plain that this refers to the universal recognition of the Lord Jesus Christ that will occur when He "appears" (Rom 14:11; Phil 2:10).
In summary, the kingdoms of this world are, by Divine design and intent, temporary. Because of this circumstance, they have been given over to the Devil. All of this is accomplished within the framework of God's will, with the Lord Jesus being the supreme Ruler. No government, however powerful, can overturn the ministry of Jesus, which is to bring "many sons to glory."
We do not trust in earthly governments, but in the God of all the earth. Whether it is Paul and Peter, incarcerated and killed by Nero, or John the Beloved, exiled by Domition – government cannot overturn the purpose of God! God is fully able to raise up heathen kings like Artaxerses, Nebuchadnezzer, Darius, and Cyrus to do His will (Neh 2:1ff; Ezek 29:19,20; Jer 43:10; Ezra 6; Isa 44:28; 45:1). However, these men and their governments eventually gravitated to Satan. God used them in spite of their bent, not because of it.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for revealing the nature and destiny of the kingdoms of this world.