KINGDOM - OLOGY 5

Prophets Predict a Future Restored Kingdom

           When it comes it will appear in splendor and power and will never be destroyed by enemies from within or from without and it will never end (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:34-35, 44; 7:27).

Faint prophetic intimations may be traced from the very origin of the historical kingdom. The seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). A lawgiver will arise out of Judah wielding a scepter (Gen. 49:10). But this lawgiver will serve as a Passover Lamb to deliver the people (Exod. 12), and provide an atoning sacrifice (Lev. 16). Nevertheless, He will arise as a star out of Jacob (Num. 24:17) holding aloft a scepter of power, and as a prophet speaking the word of God to the people like Moses (Deut. 18:15).

            This coming one will appear in Israel as Immanuel, born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14), and as a lineal descendant of Jesse (Isa. 11:1), of the seed of David (John 7:42; Rom. 1:3). He will be born in the little village of Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). He will grow up in Israel as a tender plant (Isa. 53:2), and as a root out of a dry ground, but He will be the mighty God (Isa. 9:6). He will shoulder the operations of government and carry them forward so that in the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David (Isa. 9:6-7). Where the historical kingdom failed because of the imperfections of its rulers, this King will stand in sharp contrast, for "righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins" (Isa. 11:5).

            In the fading glory of the historical kingdom with its citizens descending into ever lower depths of moral shame and religious apostasy, because they were unable to keep the law with its high standards of righteousness and holiness, a promise is made to correct the failures of the people by writing laws upon their hearts (Jer. 31:31-34). And best of all, for the encouragement of the faithful in Israel, this kingdom of the future will draw near in the person of the Messiah at an appointed time (Jer. 25:11-12; Dan. 9:1-2, 24-26). But the Kingdom in its fullness is left undated (Dan. 9:27, cf. Dan. 7:27).

            The kingdom shall be the Lord's (Oba. 21). He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he has set judgment in the earth (Isa. 42:4). He will bring again the captivity of His people Israel, and will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which He has given them (Amos 9:14-15). As the Lord of Hosts He will execute judgment upon the wicked, but as the Sun of Righteousness he will arise with healing in His wings (Mal. 4:1-2).