Tag: ruling
Son of David–Lord of David!
Scripture reading for June 24: Psalms 107-110
Psalm 110 was used by Jesus Christ to confound his adversaries. Jesus was being tested by the teachers of the law. To counter their arguments, Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 and attributed it to King David speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit. “The Lord said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” (Psalm 110:1) “David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be His son?” (Mark 12:36-37a) Jesus’ question was designed to help these teachers connect with the plain teaching of God’s Word that the messiah would be a son of David as well as his Lord! (2nd Samuel 7:12, 13, 16)
The psalm is a prophetic picture of the messiah who would come from the line of David. This messiah would sit at God’s right hand and rule until the Lord God put all His enemies under His feet. The messiah would be made or declared a priest as well as a ruling king! A priest represents the people before God by intercession and sacrifice. The king was to rule on behalf of God. These offices were not combined in the Old Testament history of God’s people. There was one person in history who was both a priest and a king. His name was Melchizedek. (Genesis 14:18-20) (Hebrews 5:5-10, 6:19-7:28) Melchizedek was the King of Salem (Peace) and a priest of the Most High God. He received tithes from Abraham and blessed Abraham. This descendant of David Who was to come would be a priest and king like Melchizedek!
Priests normally did not sit down while at work. This King/Priest Who was seated at God’s right hand was invited to sit! He could sit because His work of sacrifice on behalf of the people was completed! (Acts 5:31) (Ephesians 1:20) David was seeing a vision of the throne in heaven following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who offered His own sinless body as the payment for the sins of the whole world! John the Baptist remarked of Jesus: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Jesus now is interceding as our Priest before God, seated at His right hand! (Romans 8:34)
This King/Priest is ruling in the midst of His enemies now, waiting for them to bow their knees! (Psalm 110:2,3) There is a coming day of wrath where all enemies who have not become one of his troops by bowing their knees will suffer a crushing defeat! (Psalm 110:5-6) Have you bowed your knee to Him? Are you sharing the Good News of a King/Priest Who is praying for all to be saved?
The blessed first resurrection!
Scripture reading for December 26th: Revelation 20, Psalm 143-44, Proverbs 11
Key Scriptures: Revelation 20:4-6 “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
John saw thrones and saints seated on those thrones given the authority to judge. These saints were those coming through the great tribulation through martyrdom because of their faithfulness to the testimony of Jesus and the Word of God. Their faith and faithfulness had brought the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life. This is the first resurrection and those participating are most blessed and holy! They will rule with Christ during the millennial reign.
Faith Confession: I am thankful for Christ’s promise that those who believe in Him shall never die but have eternal life. They will be part of the first resurrection of the righteous. Lord help me to stay faithful and true to Your testimony and holy Word.
Proverbs 11:30-31 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.”
Risen, Exalted, Coming Again!
Scripture reading for July 25th: 1st Corinthians 15, Psalm 148, Proverbs 24
Key Scriptures: 1st Corinthians 15:20-26 “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.”
The church needed encouragement and explanation concerning the resurrection and the events of the last days. Paul carefully explained how Christ was raised from the dead as the firstfruits of those resurrected. Those in Adam–never born again in Christ, will die, but those in Christ shall be made alive and will be with Christ as He returns. Christ will reign destroying all His enemies, the last is “death”!
Faith Confession: I believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is alive at God’s right hand, ruling until all His enemies are destroyed. In His resurrection, I am made alive in Him and will join Him in His rule on earth.
Psalm 148:11-13 “Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for His Name alone is exalted; His majesty is above earth and heaven.”