CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM It is imperative that we see the dominion of "the Son of man" in its relationship to the salvation of mankind. The rule of Deity over all opposing forces, whether human or evil spirits, has never been questioned. The rule of Deity is absolutely uncontested, and has always been. The God of heaven has always raised up and deposed kings and kingdoms at will (Dan 4:17; Psa 75:6-7). There is not a solitary instance in all of revealed history where the enemies of God engaged in an extended initiative against the God of heaven. It has always been true, "the heavens do rule" (Dan 4:26). -- 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)
Devotion 17 of 36
Our text is not about the God of heaven ruling. Rather, it is about "the Son of man" ruling – the glorified "Man Christ Jesus" being given dominion (1 Tim 2:5).
Although Christ's dominion involves the total public subjugation of His enemies, the last of which is death (1 Cor 15:26), it is primarily associated with salvation. Our deliverance from sin had to come from a man – a member of our own race. We must be kept safe by a Man, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah: "And A MAN shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2). The Divine resources required to make it safely from earth to glory must be ministered to us by a Man, who mediates the covenant (Heb 9:15), and ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25).
Daniel is being given to see the Savior after He has been exalted. He is beholding what is required to bring the sons to glory, and bring men to God (1 Pet 3:18). Jesus did not have to be exalted to subdue God's enemies. Michael and his angels could easily do that (Rev 12:7-8). The exaltation of Jesus was required in order that eternal benefits might pass from God to mankind. It was necessary in order that the effects of Satan's destruction and the spoiling of principalities and powers might be realized by redeemed men.
While this may seem quite apparent, a significant amount of contemporary theology appears to ignore these facts. Men are brought to consider Jesus primarily as a Subjugator of our enemies or Supplier of the temporal needs – neither of which required a vicarious death, a triumphant resurrection, or an effective intercession. Before the Word became flesh, He possessed the power to do such things. The "Son of man" is primarily a Savior. That is why He was sent into the world, and that is why He has been enthroned in heaven, being given unquestionable dominion.
HE WAS GIVEN GLORY
"And there was given Him . . . glory . . . " In Jesus "power and glory" have been brought together in the fullest and most extensive way. "Glory" has to do with honor, or recognition. Presently, the glory of "the Son of man" is fully beheld in heaven, where He is seated at the Father's right hand. No heavenly personality has any doubts about the glorification of Jesus. Nor, indeed, is there any ignorance of it among the hosts of darkness who were all decimated by Him in His death on the cross (Heb 2:14; Col 2:15). It is only upon earth that Jesus is NOT seen in all of His glory. Therefore, it is declared to us, in order that we may grasp something of its magnitude by faith.
1. "Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God" (1 Pet 1:21). Our faith in God is possible because of an exalted Christ.
2. "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow" (1 Pet 1:11). We are presently living in beginning of "the glory that should follow."
3. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man" (Heb 2:9). Here we see that Christ was made lower than the angels in order to die, but crowned with glory and honor in order that His death might be effectual for all men. Thus the glory, which He received after His death, validated that death for all who will believe.
4. "The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when He was determined to let Him go" (Acts 3:13). The glorification of Jesus was in order to the full and ultimate salvation of the people.
The glory with which Jesus is presently endued was given to Him when He returned to heaven, having completed His mission in the world. It was in answer to His own prayer on the eve of His betrayal: "And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own Self with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was" (John 17:5). That very glory will be openly displayed "when He shall come in His own glory" (Luke 9:26).
Once again, let it be clear that this glory is necessary for us to be saved. An unglorified Christ could not save us – His death and resurrection notwithstanding. The glory given to "the Son of man" sanctified His death, resurrection, and intercession. Also, He was glorified as a man – "THE Man Christ Jesus," and "the Second Man" (1 Cor 15:47). Now this glorified Man is our official Representative, and the Pledge that all who believe on Him will finally be with Him, also appearing "with Him in glory" (Col 3:4).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the thoroughness of Your great salvation.