Kingdom Ready

To understand this wonderful plan, one must journey back to the beginning, starting with Adam.

Genesis 1:26 – 28
By observing Adam, his rightful position under God was his appointment to rule over all of God’s works (v26, 28). The word rule here means to “dominate, govern, to prevail against, chasten, tread and crush.” But one must note that this rulership was predicated upon obedience to God – of which Adam forfeited by disobedience.

Psalm 8:3 – 8
David continues in his Psalm, acknowledging God’s divine appointment for man – rulership over this earth (v6 – 8). This was/is man’s crowning glory, majesty and honour (v5).

Isn’t it interesting how Adam was made last in God’s creation (6^th day) yet made head over it? It wonderfully shows how God had us last in mind (which must spur us to humility) yet regarded us for exaltation!

Genesis 3:14 – 15
Here’s the tragedy! Because of sin, Adam lost his right to rule over God’s works! This rulership was conferred over to the serpent and his kingdom. This is why the Bible says, regarding Satan…

“…(he is) the god of this world…” – 2 Cor 4:4

“…the whole world lies in the power of the evil one…” – 1 Joh 5:19

And so, God announced the beginning of man’s road to redemption, via one of Eve’s descendants. This “seed of the woman”, his whole purpose of coming would be to crush and put an end to all satanic authority and evil rulership (v15). Folks, since that fateful day, how has Satan’s rulership been demonstrated in the world? The answer: by turning man against His God by making them think that they’re “god” on earth!

“…you will be like God…” – Gen 3:5

How many kings throughout human history considered themselves deities? How many today live like they’re their own god?

Daniel 2:31 – 35
In this wonderful book is documented evidence of Nebuchadnezzar who has a dream of God’s future program for the world, yet is unable to understand it. To surmise the dream: he sees a large statue that is eventually cut down and crushed by a large stone, of which it becomes a mountain that fills the whole earth!

Daniel 2:36 – 45
In this vision, the head, breasts, arms, belly, thighs, feet and toes symbolize 4 kingdoms (v37 – 40).
They are: Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. Each of these did rule over the earth.

The stone that struck and crushed the statue is symbolic of the kingdom of God (v44). The indication here is that one day God’s kingdom will destroy all “man centered” rulership and usher in “God centered” rulership.

Daniel 7:13 – 14
Daniel is given more insight into the administration of God’s kingdom to come on the earth. It will be administered by a human being, a “Son of man” (v13). This man will be crowned with glory and honour. He will govern and rule God’s kingdom on the earth (v14). This man will head God’s rulership on the earth perpetually, with all nations becoming subject to him.

2 Samuel 7:12 – 16
What a wonderful prophecy we have here. God has indicated that the administration of His kingdom shall one day take place through David’s throne (v13) and it will be governed by one of his descendants (v12). Further to add, God would initiate a special and unique relationship with His anointed king: a father/son relationship (v14). To every Jew, this “coming man” was given the hopeful title “Messiah, the son of God.” Isaiah foretold of the wonderful destiny of God’s king and his rulership to come…

“…there will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom…” – Isa 9:7

The many prophecies made concerning the “Messiah” began to come to pass with the advent of Jesus.

Luke 1:31 – 33
Here we begin to hear the wonderful announcement of the angel Gabriel to Mary – the yet unborn Jesus who would be destined to sit upon David’s throne (v32). As God’s son, Jesus is destined to rule as God’s chosen king – and his reign is an everlasting, perpetual one (v33). This man was going to known as “the messiah, the son of God – the king of Israel.” Listen the various witnesses who spoke of him and the titles assigned to him:

“…where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” – Matt 2:2 (wise men from the East)

“…you are the Son of God, the king of Israel!” – Joh 1:49 (Nathaniel)

“…blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. The king of Israel” – Joh 12:13 (crowd)

Matthew 26:63 – 64
Now we fast-forward toward the end of his ministry, Jesus, placed under oath, is required to confess who he thinks he is (v63). Listen to his affirmation – he admits his divine appointment as God’s king and his destiny to rule over all of God’s works (v64). He alludes to Daniel’s vision – the Son of Man will receive divine authority to rule – and this was the most common used term Jesus pasted unto himself. How fitting!

This confession sent Jesus to his death. Was therefore his destiny lost? Certainly not.

1 Peter 1:10 – 11
It was spoken beforehand by the prophets regarding the sufferings of Christ – before his destination to glory (v11). Christ’s 1^st task was to preach the kingdom of God and deal with mankind’s “sin” before God. By way of atonement, the rest of us who follow him can now be granted the same destiny into the coming kingdom of God. Hence why Jesus came to be known as “the lamb.”

“…he was pierced through for our transgressions…” – Isa 53:5

“…like a lamb that is led to slaughter…” – Isa 53:7

“…the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…” – Joh 1:29

1 John 3:8 – 9
Listen to what sin is – a work of the devil. The cross was the 1^st step in crushing the devil’s authority.

Hebrews 2:5 – 9
The writer of Hebrews, drawing from Psalm 8, reminds us of man’s rightful position in God’s creative plan (v6 – 8). With this, he uses that as prophetic of Jesus Christ – he suffered death, yet God raised him from the dead and crowned him with glory and honor – rulership (v9). This rulership will be realized in the world to come (v5). Jesus, the last Adam, has been given by God was lost by the 1^st Adam.

“…all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth…” – Matt 28:18

“…I shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth…” – Ps 89:27

At his resurrection and ascension to heaven, God exalted Jesus to His right hand, giving him divine authority to rule over God’s works and the nations. The end of Satan’s dominion climaxes at the 2^nd coming of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 19:11 – 16
At the 2^nd coming, Jesus returns to judge and wage war (v11). He returns as God’s appointed king; to rule, govern and dominate (v15). In doing so, he is the administrator of God’s rulership, including the execution of God’s wrath – to crush all who oppose God (v15). The bible describes it as a day of carnage and bloodshed as symbolized by his robe that is dipped in blood (v13).

Revelation 19:19 – 20; 20:10 – 15
Now we get a picture of the fate of the beast, false prophet, the devil and the wicked – Christ shall destroy them all.

Revelation 21:3 – 4
In closing, we get a picture of the world after Satan’s rule has ended – a world where there is no more curse, pain and death. The world will return to as God had intended from the beginning, at the garden of Eden. Jesus will head a new human race, upon a renewed earth with a population of immortalized, righteous people, in a society dedicated to the worship of the One God and to the service of His appointed king. It will be a world of harmony, peace, holiness, obedience and fellowship – for all time.

This is the awesome destiny of the son of man!

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