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Showing posts with the label King

His Unparalleled Kingdom

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When Jesus first appeared in Galilee, he proclaimed the “ Kingdom of God ” – “ Repent, for the kingdom is at hand .” In his ministry, God’s reign had begun to invade the Earth. But his realm was and remains of an entirely different nature than the political systems of the present fallen age. Moreover, on more than one occasion, Jesus refused THAT kind of political power, especially when it was offered by Satan who tempted him with sovereignty over “ all the kingdoms of the world .”

Servant and King

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The theme of fulfillment is prominent in Matthew’s gospel. In Jesus, the promises of God find their intended fulfillment. He is the Son of God sent to redeem Israel and rule the nations. Peter, for example, confirmed that he was the “ Messiah .” Nevertheless, he failed to understand that he would undertake that role as the suffering “ Servant of Yahweh ” who came to “ bear the sins of many .” His true identity was revealed in his self-sacrificial act.

Son of David

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The  Gospel of Matthew  presents Jesus as the “ Son of David .” In his life and death, he demonstrated what it meant to be the King of Israel. This last designation was linked traditionally to the House of David; but in Matthew, that understanding of the Messiah is altered in unexpected ways. The Greater “ Son of David ” is more than the Ruler of Israel or King over the Nations, for he is the Messiah of a radically different kind, the “ Servant of Yahweh .”

His Present Reign

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The New Testament links the enthronement of Jesus to his death and resurrection by applying key messianic texts in the Hebrew Bible to him. He qualified to rule over all things because of his faithful “ obedience unto death ,” and this fact God confirmed and vindicated by raising him from the dead. Not only did his Father resurrect him, but He also seated him “ at His right hand ” where he now reigns supreme over the entire Creation.

Ruler of Kings

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In the  Book of Revelation , Jesus is called the “ Ruler of the Kings of the Earth ,” a declaration made in the  PRESENT TENSE . His present sovereignty over the Earth and its nations is based on his past death and resurrection,  NOT  on any hereditary rights, economic power, or military might. He sits on God’s Throne as the slain “ Lamb ” where he reigns over all things as the result of his submission to an unjust death.

Sovereign Over All Things

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Jesus has reigned as the sole sovereign over the Earth and Cosmos since his death, resurrection, and ascension. Already he sits on the Messianic Throne of David as he reigns from “ Mount Zion .” Because of his obedience “ unto death ,” God installed him as the “ Ruler of the Kings of the Earth .” Before his ascension, Jesus declared that God had granted him all authority in Heaven and on Earth. His sovereignty is without limits - - (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Shepherd King

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The  Book of Revelation  assures the beleaguered congregations of Asia that Jesus reigns and has events firmly in hand despite appearances and the hostility of neighbors and even local magistrates. His sovereignty is based on his past death and resurrection, and therefore absolute, extending even over “ Death and Hades .” His resurrection from the dead marked the start of his reign from the Throne at the center of the Universe.

Why do the Nations Rage?

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The conspiracy by the Earth’s kings to unseat God’s Son is applied by the New Testament to the plot to kill Jesus . The  Second Psalm  is a key messianic passage applied to Jesus several times in the New Testament. But precisely when were its predictions fulfilled, and is the Messiah reigning now on David’s Throne? Or is the world still waiting for his accession to God’s Throne at a future date? What about the “ revolt ” of nations and kings against Yahweh’s “anointed one”? Is this a prediction of a future conflict between Jesus and the government of the Earth - (Psalm 2:1-6)?

Reigning from Zion

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According to the Psalmist, the anointed “ Son ” would reign “ on Mount Zion… my holy mount .” As attested by the New Testament, that king is Jesus of Nazareth. His reign over the Earth began following his Resurrection and Ascension. Ever since he has been extending his sovereignty by sending his envoys to the “ uttermost parts of the Earth ” to announce his Gospel to the nations.

Triumphal Arrival

At the end of his journey, his destination was the Temple in the center of the city.  The next several stories prepare the reader for his final days, A full third of Mark’s gospel account concerns the events of that week that culminate in his death and resurrection. All that preceded his arrival in the city was moving inexorably forward to his arrest, trial, and execution in the city of David and the prophets.