And Kings will Tremble

If you’ve ever attended a recital of Handel’s Messiah, you may have noticed that everybody stands up during the hallelujah chorus. It’s a common practice and originated with King George II.

King George stood because He knew a thing or two about who was really in charge. He stood because he trembled.

Many Christians see the world as a lost cause, and their mission, to get people out of it. For them, the rule and reign of Jesus (“The Kingdom”) comes at the end of history.

But the prophets and apostles have declared otherwise. The rule and reign of Jesus is not something that comes at the end of the gospel era but at the beginning.

For them, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ were visible proof that God had turned this world’s fortunes on its head. All power in heaven and on earth had been given to Jesus.

This is something that 21st-century kings, as well as the 21st-century church, should give serious thought to.

The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool” (Psalm 110:1)

Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, actively and progressively bringing all things into submission to Himself.

Rulers, kings and princes are to serve Him and submit to His Law as much as anyone else.

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way (Psalm 2:10-12)

The final act of Christ’s dominion would not be to start reigning, but to hand His kingdom (all tribes, kings and nations) over to His Father, resurrected, redeemed and complete.

Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all his enemies under his feet. (1 Corinthians 15:24-25)

And so, for Peter and the other Apostles, Jesus was more than a Saviour. He was Lord.

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. (Acts 2:36)

Perhaps you look at the world and think that things are getting worse and worse. Kings and rulers are growing more and more bold in their wickedness.

In one sense, and in your tiny part of the world, that may very well be true. But they are getting worse in the same way that things often got worse for Israel as they crossed the desert en route to the promised land. That is to say, yes, there will be dark days. There are rebellions that need to be subdued.

But we are still heading somewhere gloriously good. Since the time of His birth (Isaiah 9:6), the government of Jesus has known nothing but increase.

…and of the increase of His government there shall be no end (Isaiah 9:7)

Mark it well. His Law and His Kingdom will continue to previal, sometimes visibly, often imperceptibly (Matthew 13:31-32) until it fills the earth (Psalm 72:8 , Daniel 2:35).

Jesus is Lord and Christ. The world today is governed by this maxim: His law, His land. This is the central message of the gospel. He not only saves, He rules. And He can save because He rules.

This is the good news that churches are to declare and rulers are to acknowledge. Every heart, mind, house, and hedonistic king, captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

It’s the good news of the gospel that causes rulers to tremble and saints to find rest for their souls.