OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to Articles Next 

KINGDOM PROPHECIES (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

          When the New Testament opens, it is clear that the Jews were eagerly anticipating the arrival of a kingdom.  This was one element of John’s preaching that brought him much popularity.  “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye:  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:1-2).  Jesus proclaimed the same message when He began His earthly ministry.  ”From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent;  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). 

          What was it that caused the Jews to be looking for a kingdom?  It was the kingdom prophecies of the Old Testament.  Prophets like Nathan, Isaiah, and Daniel foretold a kingdom to come.  There is even a prophecy given by an angel to Mary regarding this kingdom.  In this article, let’s look at some of the kingdom prophecies and see what the Jews were told regarding it.

          In 2 Samuel 7:1-3, we learn that David longed to build a house for the Lord.  At first, Nathan told him:  “Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee.”  Nathan, however, had not counseled with God about this project.  That night the Lord appeared to Nathan and told him to tell David that His house would be built, but it would be constructed by Solomon and not David.  In verses 12-13, Nathan spoke these words to the king:  “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.  He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 

          This is what some individuals refer to as a “dual prophecy.”  Some of the words apply to Solomon, but some of the words also apply to the coming Messiah, the Anointed One of God.  The word “seed” refers both to Solomon and Jesus Christ.  Both were of the lineage of David.  Solomon was David’s son through Bathsheba.  Jesus was a later descendant of David.  Matthew opens his gospel with the genealogy of the Christ.  This is his opening line:  “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1).  Both of these individuals were to have their kingdoms established by the Lord.  And, both would build a house for the name of the Lord.

          Two interesting statements are learned about the kingdom of Christ from the text.  First, it would be established while David was sleeping with his fathers.  In other words, the kingdom of Christ would be set up while David was still in the grave.  This annihilates the future kingdom of the premillennialists.  They say the kingdom will be established after the resurrection of the righteous of which David will be a part.  This is not what Nathan told David.  He told him the kingdom would be established while David’s body was still in the earth.  Second, the throne of Jesus’ kingdom would be established forever.  This could not apply to the throne of Solomon.  His throne came to an end when he died. 

          Isaiah sets forth another kingdom prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7.  “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, Counsellor, 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 justice from henceforth even for ever.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”  In this prophecy, we learn about the one who will be over the kingdom.  It would be a child of an Israelite.  His names declare the unique, divine nature of this child:  Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.  These names must point to Jesus Christ the Son of God. 

          We learn four things about this government or kingdom.  First, the government was upon his shoulder.  Again, it would be the Christ who would be the king of this kingdom.  Second, this kingdom would increase and bring peace into the world.  Third, it was going to be a kingdom involving judgment and justice.  Fourth, it would be an eternal kingdom.  It was to last forever.

          The prophet Daniel speaks about the coming kingdom in two places in the book of Daniel, Daniel 2:44 and Daniel 7:13-14.  We will look at Daniel 2:44 in detail in a second article regarding kingdom prophecies.  Let’s look at Daniel 7:13-14 at this time.  Daniel writes:  “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.  And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him:  his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”  Daniel saw the Christ when He ascended to the right hand of God.  When He was brought into the Father’s presence, He was given a kingdom.  If this kingdom is the church (Matt. 16:18-19), Daniel’s prophecy came true just as he revealed it.  However, if this is a physical kingdom that has yet to come, Daniel’s prophecy is incorrect.  Daniel, however, did not prophesy incorrectly.  He wrote by divine inspiration.  When Jesus ascended into the heavens, He was given a kingdom.  That kingdom was established on Pentecost Day when the apostles received the Holy Spirit and began to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:30, 34-36). 

          We learn several things about this kingdom from Daniel’s prophecy.  First, it was to be a kingdom filled with a diverse group of people, “…all people, nations, and languages, should serve him.”  Second, it is “an everlasting dominion.”  It was not like the kingdoms of men that eventually come to an end.  The one who was the Alpha and the Omega would rule upon His throne over this kingdom, and the kingdom would last forever.  Third, Daniel reveals that this kingdom is indestructible, “and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”  This is a potent prophecy.  Once the kingdom came into existence, it would come under attack.  Generation after generation would fight against it.  If the citizens of this kingdom knew Daniel’s prophecy, they would not be concerned about these attacks.  By faith they could embrace Daniel’s promise that the kingdom would not be destroyed.  It is exhilarating to know that the kingdom of God is here today.  Its enemies have come, fought against, and have perished, and the kingdom still stands!