The prophet Isaiah in prophesying about Jesus said in Isaiah 9: 6, Isaiah 9: 6, for to us a child is born, and to us a son is given, and the government (Authority) will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. In the days of Isaiah, Israel functioned like a theocracy under the direct rule of God through kings such as Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. In effect, Israel was ruled under God’s covenant under eternal messianic government.
The prophecy foretells that Jesus is ordained to govern our affairs according to God’s divine plan. Galatians 4: 4 says, but when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. On Jesus’ authority to govern, Ephesians 1: 21 says, he (Jesus) is seated far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Jesus’ nature of authority
Jesus also said in Luke 4: 6, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. God’s prerogative to form his government is on Jesus’ shoulders. Revelation 3: 7 says, these are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. Similarly, God said in Deuteronomy 32: 39… I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand. Colossians 2: 10 says, he(Jesus) is the head over every power and authority.
Jesus’ character of government
Jesus’ government is spiritual. Jesus said in John 18: 36, “My kingdom is not of this world… my kingdom is from another place.” Yet, it sometimes manifests physically to protect us. He said in Matthew 11: 28, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Paul said of the cause of our weary in Ephesians 6: 12, our struggles is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Jesus’ authority in spiritual matters is absolute and final.
Jesus’ mode of government
The righteous will govern with Jesus. 1Corinthians 6: 2-3 say, do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world… Do you not know that we will judge angels? The qualifying rule is obedience to him. Matthew 7: 21 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. James 1: 12 says, blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because… that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Revelation 2: 10 says, be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life.
Jesus’ object of government
Jesus came to reconcile us to himself. Ephesians 2: 15-16 say, his purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Explaining with clarity, Colossians 1: 19-20 wrote, for God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. This is the eternal life mentioned in John 3: 15, everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.
Jesus’ principle of government
Jesus governs on (1) loyalty: Psalm 81: 9 says, you shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me; (2) holiness: Leviticus 11: 45 says, be holy because I am holy; (3) love: Mark 12: 30-31 say, love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your souls and with all your mind and with all your strength… Love your neighbor as yourself; (4) fairness: Luke 6: 7 says, forgive, and you will be forgiven; and (5) accountability: Jeremiah 17: 10 says, “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct; what their deeds deserve.”
Jesus’ term of government
It is everlasting. Psalm 93: 2 says, your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity. This is clarified in Psalm 145: 13, your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. Isaiah 40: 28 says, the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. Daniel 7: 14 says, his dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Of his competence, Isaiah 40: 28 says… He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. Job 12: 13-14: to God belongs wisdom and power.
Jesus’ governance jurisdiction
This is set out in Job 12: 10, in his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind; 13-14… What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; those he imprisons cannot be released; 16-17, to him belong strength and insight; both deceived and deceiver are his. He leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of judges; 23-24, he makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them. Acts 7: 49-50 espouse, ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool… Did not my hand make all these things? God’s jurisdiction is over all his creation everywhere, visible and invisible.
Reflection
Every government everywhere is subject to the eternal government of Christ Jesus. Our deeds determine our choice of government, either of Jesus or of Satan. Matthew 6: 21 says, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. We read from Hebrews 1: 2, he (God) has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. It is affirmed in Daniel 7: 27, his kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him. Who governs us?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we submit to your eternal governorship. We pledge to obey your laws, commands and principles from this moment. Plant your laws in our hearts and govern us with the countenance as our sovereign Lord. Pardon our rebellion by your grace and clothe us with your holiness. We pray in your blessed Holy name, Amen!!
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