(Taken from the September 2001 edition)

 By Richard K. Clark

By the time of Christ’s birth, God’s covenant people had been looking for their King of kings for several hundred years. The prophet Daniel foretold,

 …in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever (Dan. 2:44).

It was during the Roman Empire that Christ came to set up His ultimate kingdom. Isaiah prophesied,

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Is. 9:7).

Jesus’ message was singular and simple—

…Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel”(Mark 1:14-15).

Jesus came as the King and demonstrated the power of His kingdom by performing signs and wonders. After Christ’s resurrection, He told His disciples that all authority had been given to Him in heaven and on earth. He instructed them to go in the personality and power of His Holy Spirit and make disciples of all the nations for His kingdom had come! Jesus ruled through His disciples until 70 A.D. when He returned to judge unfaithful Israel and to establish forever New Israel—the Church. Since that time, the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ has been in force (2 Pet. 1:11). 

Those in Christ today sit with Jesus on His throne (Rev. 3:21) and reign as kings and priests (Rev. 1:5-6). Since the promised kingdom has fully come, why do so many good Christian people look to the future for God to fulfill His word? To see the kingdom today, we must see through the eyes of faith, through spiritual eyes. This kingdom is a spiritual kingdom that has complete dominion over the natural realm. Too many of God’s children are still looking through natural eyes to see a spiritual realm.

King Jesus reveals Himself to those who will come under His authority completely, learn from Him, and obey Him. Jesus’ yoke of authority is easy and promises rest for our weary souls (Matt 11:27-30).

Today in Christ’s eternal kingdom we have eternal life (John 3:15), an everlasting covenant (Heb. 13:20), everlasting power (1 Tim 6:16), and an eternal inheritance (Heb 9:15). We have been commissioned to rule and reign in the power and authority of His name, the name above all names.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:12-14). 

This world now belongs to the Father, Son, and His children.

Richard Clark is an associate pastor

of Abundant Life Covenant Church.