CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM -- 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 26 of 36
" . . . and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."
Other versions read, "that will never be destroyed" (NIV), "which will not come to destruction" (BBE), and "His kingship will never come to an end" (NJB).
Some of the versions are a bit confusing on this verse. The words "come to an end" do not convey the real meaning of "destroyed." "Come to an end" can refer to something passing away simply because of time or age – like mortality. Death, for example, is not necessarily a destruction, as it was during the flood. In this verse, the "destruction" is more Divine judgment than the termination of a government by another government.
Each of the four preceding governments were judged by God. He raised them up, and He put them down. However, the Kingdom given to the "Son of man" will never be put down by God – and He is the only One who can put a kingdom down. This Kingdom will never be renounced by Him, or give way to another kingdom of His own appointment. This is the final global kingdom, some theologies notwithstanding. It will not compete with other kingdoms, but will instead put them all down with finality.
It is true that, after "the end," Jesus will "deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power." Then, "when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all" (1 Cor 15:24-28). However, this will be the very same Kingdom that was delivered to Him when He returned to heaven leading "captivity captive" (Eph 4:8).
THE PRESENCE OF THE SAINTS
As will be later confirmed, all of this presupposes the presence of the people of God in the world until it passes away. The reason for this is simply that "the Son of man" is governing the world with their interest in mind, and to bring them to glory. There is no reason for the world to remain without the saints of God. The world is God's "field," made for His wheat, and not for tares. In this sense, the children of the wicked one are the intruders – the ones that do not belong. Hence, they are the ones who will be "gathered first," as the holy angels, upon command from the King, will "gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and then which do iniquity" (Matt 13:37-41).
Those who teach the saints will be removed from the world in a secret rapture, leaving it with only the wicked who will be oppressed by a fierce earthly ruler, have demeaned the Lord's Christ. They have wholly misrepresented both God and His Purpose, His Son and His Kingdom. They have an improper view of the world, the redeemed, and the Redeemer.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS ON DANIEL'S PROPHECY
The significance of the Son of God has been introduced to Daniel. Although nearly six centuries would pass before The Savior entered into the world as the Word made flesh, yet a most remarkable revelation of Him is vouchsafed to this faithful prophet. He is the One for whom the government of God is reserved, and in whose hand the will of the Lord will "prosper" (Isa 53:10). All other kings and kingdoms are only temporary. The world was not made by them or for them. While they were employed in the purpose of God, that purpose did not center in them. The heart and core of the heavenly Kingdom finds its clarity and realization in the Person of Jesus Christ "the Son of man."
The Lord revealed to Daniel the rise of ruthless and world-dominating kingdoms. But He did not end there. He made clear that these kingdoms were under Divine control. They did not rise, nor would they fall, apart from Divine intervention.
In order to fix this firmly in the mind of His faithful prophet, the Lord pulled back the curtain to His own throne, showing Daniel the throne from which "the heavens do rule." That throne has been prepared "for judgment," and no person, king, or even kingdom, is exempt from the assessment and activity of that throne. The Lord thus turns our attention from the activities and influences of men to the Person and purpose God.
Even more has been revealed in our text. From the beginning, God determined that the overthrow of all power, beginning with the devil himself, and concluding in his most lowly vassal, would come from the hands of a man – the "Seed" of the woman (Gen 3:15). That "Seed" has now been witnessed as "one like unto the Son of man." He is the One to whom all power in heaven and earth was given. He is the One who will subdue all enemies, and bring the children of God safely to their appointed haven of rest.
In the words of the prophet, "He shall not fail nor be discouraged" in this great work (Isa 42:4). The kingdom over which He now presides will never end. No other kingdom will succeed it. God will never remove it. No competing government – and ALL other governments DO compete against it – will survive the expansion of this glorious Kingdom.
In view of this, the saints of God are to take courage. They are to engage in the good fight of faith, taking advantage of the "good hope and everlasting consolation" that belong to them in Christ Jesus (2 Thess 2:16). Already, through their faith, the Father has shown them some of the glory of His Son – a glory that will ultimately be displayed to an assembled universe. What we have been given to see will perfectly blend with that appointed full revelation. When we see Christ Jesus "as He is," it will be perfectly harmonious with what we have seen thus far. The perceptions of faith will be in full accord with what we see "face to face" (1 Cor 13:12). The glory we have beheld now is the introduction to the glory that will be seen then. Presently, we are witnessing the periphery of that glory. Then, we will see the effulgence of it.
If such marvelous revelations ministered comfort to Daniel in Babylon, much more will they do so to those who "are in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:1; 1 Pet 5:14). You have every reason to expect the overthrow of all evil. You also are now able to anticipate beholding Jesus in all of His glory, with nothing to distract you!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the prospect of the demise of all wickedness.