The Glory of His Earthly Kingdom

Added to the personal, official and moral glories of Christ, are “the glories that should follow”, 1 Pet. 1. 11 R.V., the word “glories” being plural. It is of deep instruction to note that the Greek noun doxas — “glories” — is in the accusative plural, thus directing the readers to the objective outcome of all that the Saviour suffered.

Both the sufferings and the glories of Christ were the testimony of the Holy Spirit through the prophets of old. These were moved diligently to inquire and search concerning the grace to come, 1 Pet. 1. 10, 11. In our previous studies there have been directives to meditate upon “the sufferings of Christ” and the glories that were always His; let us now consider some of the glories that, in the light of

Scripture’s prophetic truth, must follow the immeasurable depths of His sorrows. In a general sense, these will be manifest in two major areas: (a) The Glory of His Earthly Kingdom, (ft) The Glory of His Heavenly Kingdom.

The Glory of His Earthly Kingdom

As “the root and offspring of David”, Rev. 22. 16, Christ stands as David’s greater Son, and as such, has by every line of Bible genealogy, Matt. 1. 1-16, the sole right both to the glory of Israel’s throne and crown and to the glorious rule of Israel’s kingdom. But such was the sin of Israel’s heart, that this right of glory was denied Him — a denial marked by hatred and rejection, “We have no king but Caesar”, John 19. 15. “We will not have this man to reign over us”, Luke 19. 14. In these cries, this denial is demonstrated in a cross for His throne, and thorns for His crown!

But God’s ultimate objective will be manifest in the working of His purposes, firstly for His people Israel, and then through them for the nations of earth.

The first manifestation of this glory to the world will be seen in the splendour of His revelation as “King of kings and Lord of lords”, Rev. 19. 16, for “every eye shall see him”, 1. 7. The nation of Israel will acknowledge Him as their true Messiah and King, and the Gentile nations will receive Him as their Lord; then will the prophetic truth of Philippians 2. 10, 11 be completely fulfilled; “every knee shall bow … every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”.

From His throne, as David’s greater Son, Christ will display the glory of His reign and rule, and throughout the millennial kingdom His splendours will be the acknowledged testimony of all mankind as they willingly declare the glorious honour of His Majesty and wondrous works, His greatness, goodness and righteousness and the glory of His kingdom, Psa. 145. 5-7, 11.

Then around the circle of the earth, man will know the glory of the Lord, Hab. 2. 14; man will see the glory of the Lord, Isa. 66. 18; man will declare the glory of the Lord, v. 19. This will be the ever-rising crescendo of praise from the hearts and voices of all who will ascribe to Him alone in universal song, “blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory”, Psa. 72. 19.

Then all the divine promises concerning the earthly seed of Abraham, Gen. 17. 4-8, will find their culmination in Christ’s glorious reign of a thousand years (the kingdom age on earth) with Israel restored, renewed and regenerated. They will gladly render full honour and glory to the Messiah whom once they denied and rejected at His first coming.

However, for the church here on earth, what privilege and joy now is hers in the day of Christ’s rejection, so that her worship and witness are seen through the devoted demonstration of a complete allegiance and fidelity to the Lordship of Christ. From her glad and willing obedience to the truth of His Word, there will be an unhindered outshining of His indwelling glory, thus hastening the day when the earth will be full of His glory and when the Saviour of the world is King indeed!

How eloquently the words of William Fullerton’s hymn express the splendour of those future days, when the One whom God has made “both Lord and Christ” in heaven, Acts 2. 36, will be honoured as such by all on earth.

I cannot tell how He will win the nations,
How He will claim His earthly heritage,
How satisfy the needs and aspirations
Of East and West, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see His glory,
And He shall reap the harvest He has sown;
And some glad day He soon shall shine in splendour,
Where He the Saviour, Saviour of the world is known.

To be concluded