If you were looking for one concise place in the Bible that gives a tremendous amount of information about Jesus Christ, then this passage would probably be top on the list. In only two verses we see:
- His humanity and deity declared - "a child is born" / "a son is given"
- His ability to amaze and bless us - a worker of miracles - a minister of grace and truth - "Wonderful"
- His wisdom and guidance - His desire to stand alongside us and to be attentive to our needs - "Counsellor"
- The confirmation of what Isaiah 7:14 declares - that He is "Immanuel" ("God with us" - Matthew 1:22-23) - "The mighty God, The everlasting Father"
- That He is a ruler who will create and maintain peace - starting with giving us peace with God (Romans 5:1) - "The Prince of Peace"
Though the word "King" does not appear in this passage. Yet, the subject of Christ's kingdom is the largest discussion in these two verses.
- He shall take on all authority and power - "And the government shall be upon His shoulder."
- His kingdom shall be marked by stability and growth. He shall govern a population who experience extraordinary peace - "Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end."
- His earthly lineage comes from King David - "Upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom."
- His administration is formed by deliverance from evil and will eternally operate by truly righteous standards - "To order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even forever."
- The passion of the LORD is dedicated to bringing this order and peace back into God's universe - "The zeal of the LORD of hosts (armies) will perform this." ("Zeal" - The Hebrew word means "to get red in the face with war-like fervor, revenge, jealousy.")
Here are two other Old Testament Scriptures that declare Jesus Christ as king.
- "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of thy kingdom is a right scepter." (Psalm 45:6). This passage is attributed to Jesus Christ in Hebrews 1:8.
- "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). This passage is attributed to Christ, at the time of His birth (Matthew 2:1-6).
Here are two other Scriptures that mention the increase of His kingdom:
- Daniel 2:31-45 - In verses 34-35,44, Christ's kingdom is described as a stone, cut without human hands, hurled at an image that represents the kingdoms of this world (The times of the Gentiles - Luke 21:24). All other kingdoms are conquered by this divine stone, which, after destroying the image of the kingdoms, becomes a mountain that fills the earth. This kingdom lasts forever.
- Matthew 13:31-32 - Jesus compares His kingdom to a mustard seed which is the smallest of seeds, but when planted becomes the greatest of herbs. It grows into a tree that the birds can use to make their homes, in its branches.
As the kingdom of Christ increases, it will take on different forms. There a three phases to this kingdom that will be discussed throughout this series.
- A spiritual Gospel kingdom (John 3:3-8; 18:36-37)
- An earthly Millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1-15 - one thousand years)
- An eternal kingdom (Revelation 21:1-5 - New heaven, New earth, New Jerusalem)
These three phases help us see Christ's kingdom increasing like a crescendo. Click here to see a diagram. For now we must state a few things about the spiritual Gospel kingdom.
- Those who would comprehend this kingdom and enter into it must be born again - born with a second, spiritual birth (John 3:3-8; I Peter 1:18-25).
- Christ's kingdom is not a geographical location. It exists right in the midst of other people and their earthly kingdoms (Luke 17:20-21).
- Christ's kingdom is known by those who know and love the truth (Mark 12:32-34; John 18:37).
- Christ's kingdom cannot be established or defended with earthly weapons or with earthly methods of warfare (John 18:36; II Corinthians 10:3-5).
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