The Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)
Recognize these words? They’re from the “Hallelujah Chorus” in Handel’s “Messiah.” They are also words of prophecy. One day they’ll come true. All nations, all “kingdoms”, will become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and the Lord Jesus shall reign for ever and ever.
The first promise of Jesus’ coming was in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned. God told Satan, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
These words gave them hope that one day, this “seed of the woman” would come and restore their fellowship with Him. God also gave them coats of skins for clothes. Fig leaf aprons would not suffice to cover them before God, just as doing works cannot suffice to make up for sin. Innocent animals died for the guilty, just as Jesus would die a violent death for us years later.
The promise of Jesus’ atoning death is also seen in the 10th plague on Egypt. God told the Hebrews to take a lamb: “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year:” (Exodus 12:5) The lamb was a picture of Jesus, who was unblemished by sin. The lamb would be killed, “And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses,” (Exodus 12:7) The motion of striking the doorposts would form a bloody cross.
Many years after, God kept His promise of a Saviour: “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son,” (Galatians 4:4) John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Jesus, God the Son, was sinless, yet He let Himself be crucified. As He hung on the cross, God the Father put on Him every sin all of us would ever commit: “…the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
Jesus died and was buried, but on the third day, He rose again, victorious over sin and death! “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;” (Revelation 1:18)
Jesus will return one day, not as a baby but as King. Philippians 2:11 says, “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Everyone, no matter how rich or powerful, will bow to Jesus one day: those who had received Him as Saviour will bow with joy and gratitude. Those who had refused Him will bow in grief and condemnation.
Christmas is a wonderful time of giving and receiving gifts. The best gift in the world is eternal life through Jesus: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) If you want to know how to receive God’s gift of eternal life, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 12/19/2021
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822