KINGDOM - OLOGY 35

The Political Structure of the Kingdom is Perpetuated in the Eternal State

            It is important to recall the fact that the vast number of Scriptures pertaining to the Mediatorial Kingdom affirm that it is everlasting. Two passages stand out in the thinking of the average Christian: the first is the prophetic proclamation of Isaiah; the second is the angelic announcement to the Virgin Mary.

“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 forever” (Isa. 9:6-7). “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:30-33).

            In both of these Scriptures it is affirmed that the kingdom goes on forever. Paul explains this by saying that when the Mediatorial aspect reaches completion, it is then merged into the final phase, or the eternal state (1 Cor. 15:24-28). Since that is true, all that has been accomplished in the development of the Mediatorial aspect is presented and is then merged into the eternal state. This is true of the population in general, and it is also true of the political structure.

            There is no question about the supreme ruler, the Lord Jesus Christ. Both of the passages I have just read affirm this to be true. And the overwhelming testimony of Scripture bears the same message. As to the Mediatorial ruler, His work is finished, that is, that aspect involving redemption in which He brought all things into subjection to Himself. "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. 15:28). It may be impossible for us to understand what may be the full meaning of these words. But it appears that though He retains His humanity, He now assumes the full dignity of His deity and as the second person of the Godhead shares the one throne of the universe with the Father (Rev. 22:1, 3). This means that in whatever sense that position may be, it does not in any sense demean His person or lower His dignity, so that now there may be a revelation of His glory to all created intelligences that was not possible before, even during the period of the Mediatorial Kingdom.

            In addition to the perpetuation of the Supreme ruler, there is also the perpetuation of the spiritual nobility. You will recall that this echelon of authority consisted of three companies of saints: the Church, the Old Testament saints, and the tribulation martyrs. All these are perfected saints who have been resurrected and transformed (Rev. 20:4, 6; Dan. 7:22). Now that salvation is complete in them, and they now possess the resurrection body with its unusual powers, they are perfectly qualified to exercise the highest type of delegated authority in the Mediatorial Kingdom. As we have pointed out earlier, these three companies of saints take up their residence and base of operations in the New Jerusalem. Later in describing the occupants of the capital city, it is affirmed of them that they shall reign forever (Rev. 22:5).

            It must never be forgotten that the nation of Israel was promised the land for an eternal possession, and a position over living Gentile nations that was to last forever (Isa. 60:1-3, 12, 21). In this capacity the living and saved nation of Israel was to prosecute its task during the thousand year period of the Mediatorial Kingdom. But this position of authority is not to end with the conclusion of the first phase of the kingdom. I have already pointed out the high position it was to occupy during the Mediatorial Kingdom. It was to be the head and no longer the tail among nations (Deut. 28:1, 13). And this covenant with Israel in all its various aspects was to continue forever (Gen. 17:7-8). Woe to those in our day that attempt to treat them as the tail instead of the head as it shall be. This is the one way that nations in our day reveal their hatred of the true God and His plan from eternity past. And they ALL turn against her before His second return. Israel is a test for mankind and nations.

            Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted (Isa. 60:11-12). “For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the land of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the land of thy God” (Isa. 62:1-3).

            The lowest level of the political structure centers in the Gentile nations. Great nations such as Egypt and Assyria of the past, and whatever they may represent in the future, are called "my people” and "the work of my hands" and are declared to be "a blessing in the midst of the land" (Isa. 19:23-25). They are organized, and serving under the nation of Israel, but with delegated authority to carry out their separate responsibilities as they pertain to the Lord. These nations, now completely saved, and organized even over a more efficient pattern, will inhabit the earth during the eternal state. From the kings down to the lowest level of authority there will be development in every facet of society so that there will be utilization of every God-given potential to the good of mankind and the glory of the great sovereign.