CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM Daniel's prophecy is certainly is not the only one of all nations and peoples serving the Lord Jesus Christ – "the Son of man." One of the premier declarations of their subjugation is found in the second Psalm. "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him" (Psa 2:10-12). Paul clearly affirmed this Psalm was speaking of the risen Christ (Acts 13:33). -- 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 22 of 36
Also, the seventy-second Psalm speaks of the Messiah in a veiled, yet poignant, manner. "Yea, all kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve him" (Psa 72:11).
THE POINT OF THE TEXT
The point of our text is that commensurate with Christ's exaltation and enthronement the whole world was made subject to Him. There is no place on this earth over which He does no preside, or where His interests are not being served. This circumstance began with Christ's enthronement in heaven, and will continue until the end of time. If He faces His enemies, they are used to serve His purpose, like Joseph's brothers, Pharaoh, Judas, Pilate, and Herod. If they are heathen kingdoms, they serve Him in the same way as Babylon, the Medo-Persians, Greece, and Rome. He is at the helm of the Kingdom, and blessed are the people who know it.
This government, and the service of all peoples, is with the saints in mind. Jesus is presiding over the world in order to bring the saints home to glory. He is ensuring that all things are worked together for their ultimate good (Rom 8:28). His rule guarantees we will not be tempted above our ability, and that a way of escape will accompany every temptation (1 Cor 10:13). His reign is why we continue to enjoy all things that "pertain to life and godliness" (2 Pet 1:3), and are "more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Rom 8:37).
At this time, men may argue about this subjugation, or imagine that it does not exist. However, God has appointed a day when He will unveil this entire circumstance, making His Son known in the capacity He presently occupies. Thus it is written, "Which in His times He shall show, who IS the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only HATH immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom BE honor and power everlasting. Amen" (1 Tim 6:15-16).
It must be remembered that Christ's kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36). That is, it is not readily apparent to the flesh. Yet, it is a very real kingdom – a very real rule – and involves very real subjugation and service. It does require more wisdom and power to rule over tyrants, while using them to fulfill Divine purpose. After all, every "great house" has two kinds of vessels: "some of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble" (2 Tim 2:20, NIV). Just as those vessels serve the householder, "all people, nations, and languages" are now serving the exalted Christ.
ALL PEOPLE
" . . . that all people . . . should serve Him . . . " The word "people" views humanity from the ethnic point of view those with a common origin.
The most general view of "people, "or "peoples," perceives humanity as springing from a single source – Adam. "From one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth" (Acts 17:26).
A more restricted view traces everyone back to the sons of Noah. "The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. (Ham was the father of Canaan.) These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered over the earth" (Gen 9:19).
Other people groups specified by Scripture are the descendants of Abraham (Gen 17:5), Ishmael (Gen 25:16), Esau (Deut 2:4), etc. All of them, whether willingly or unwillingly, are under Christ's control, and are serving His interests.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that my enemies are under the control of King Jesus!