REIGN OF GOD

 

Isaiah 9:6-7

 

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

 

 

     In summary:  Jesus is a child born for a purpose.  He is the Son given to us for salvation.  The government of the church and our heart is centered around, Him and He has authority in our lives.  He is the wonderful counselor.  He is the mighty God.  The Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. 

 

1.       Isaiah is prophetically looking into the future and seeing the government and greatness of His reign.  Jesus currently reigns in the heart of His people.  Jesus told Pilate that His Kingdom is not of this world.  He reigns in our hearts, minds and lives.  His Kingdom is righteousness peace and joy.  But in the future after He comes back with His church He will reign on the earth for a thousand years and then in the new heaven and new earth.  The beauty of this is that we will reign with Him.  Our lives right now are preparing us for the future.  The present and future government of Christ has two qualities.  One it will be great.  You have the great God ruling right now in your heart and in the future you will reign with Him.  The second quality is peace.  Absence of internal, warfare, strife and conflict.  You have the peace the world cannot give and the world cannot take it away. 

 

2.      He will reign on David’s throne and over His Kingdom.  Jesus is a direct descendant of David.  Both Mary and Joseph were of David’s family.  He was born in Bethlehem the city of David.    This was the promise given to David in Psalms 89:34-37, “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: his seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me; it shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky."    Jesus fulfilled that is what Matt 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 show.  When Jesus comes back He will fulfill this scripture.  A lesson we can take from this is that when God makes a promise He will fulfill it even if it take generations.  2 Cor 1:20, all the promises are yes and amen.    Like David trust God for His promises.   God will not alter, lie or break a promise He gives.   To do so would go against His character.  God is not a man that He would lie.

 

3.      The Lord will establish and uphold or sustain this kingdom.  The Lord has the authority, power and right to establish His reign and rule.  He will also sustain it.  You have the mightiest power in the universe keeping, sustaining and upholding it.  Once done nothing and no one will be able to depose Him.  Remember when Jesus does this, satan, the demons, the beast and the false prophet have been judged.  Two more characteristics of His kingdom and reign is justice.   The word “justice” means “to make right.” Justice is, first and foremost, a relational term — people living in right relationship with God, one another, and the natural creation. ... As God is just and loving, so we are called to do justice and live in love.  God will be in a right relationship with His people.  We will be living in a right relationship with each other.  This last part is so beautiful this reign will be unconditional love.  No pain, sorrow, hurt, offense and death.  To be in a place of grace, mercy and love always.  The second characteristic is righteousness.  That is being right with God and each other.  It is being morally right.  This is your future. 

 

4.      The zeal of the Almighty will accomplish this.    This means the passion, great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.  The omnipotent, all powerful creator of the universe will do this.  Almighty means to have absolute power.  The one who has all the power, glory and authority will put all His energy, passion and zeal behind this.  Nothing and no one can stop Him.  Jesus will reign and rule.  That is the future.  When that little baby was born in a manger in Bethlehem.  The only witnesses were farm animals.  It was a grotto a cave.  Only after He was born did shepherds come and then months later Wise men came with gold frankincense and myyrh.  Just a note here.  The shepherds were common folk who came to see the savior and the wise men were the rich folk.  Jesus came for all people.  He is the universal Savior and the personal Savior.  In your celebrations this week make room for the Savior.  Be like the shepherds and wise men and do.  Remember Jesus is the reason for the season.