A Throne Established Forever: Jesus' Legitimate Reign

Isaiah 9:7 declares:

"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 forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

God has provided in this short verse a sweeping vision of a King whose reign is eternal, just, and filled with peace. This King is Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to David. In this passage, we’ll explore God’s promise of the throne, the character of Jesus’ reign, and the vast scope of His dominion, as well as how we should respond to such a King.

The Covenant Promise of a Throne

God made an extraordinary promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:12–16. He pledged to establish David’s throne forever through a descendant who would reign with righteousness and justice. This was not a word spoken into the wind but a firm covenant. God's promise sustained generations of His people through darkness, exile, and despair. For a millennium, the Lord's people waited for the Messiah. They longed for the day the Christ would come, the seed who would fulfill these words:

"When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom."

This is precisely the reason for the genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. God explicitly traces Jesus’ lineage back to David.

Some of the Jews doubted that Jesus could be the Messiah:

"Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, ‘Truly this is the Prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’

But some said, ‘Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?’”

Matthew didn’t start his gospel with a dry list of names but with the glorious lineage of a legitimate king. The throne had been empty for years, awaiting the arrival of the rightful heir. Jesus’ genealogy gloriously displays that He is the promised Son of David, the Messiah. He was no a usurper. Jesus is the rightful heir of the throne. Jesus was the one chosen and anointed to be King.

The Character of Jesus’ Reign

The promise of the throne is not only in Jesus’ lineage but in the nature of His reign. What kind of King would the Messiah be? Isaiah’s words illuminate the unique character of Jesus' eternal kingship.

He is described as: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” These titles reveal the unparalleled nature of Jesus' reign.

A Reign of Justice

Unlike flawed human leaders who can be swayed by self-interest, Jesus’ judgment is perfect. He is omniscient, knowing all things and weighing every matter with absolute wisdom, insight, and righteousness. He cannot be bribed or corrupted. Jesus would truly make his people glad to go to the gates of Jerusalem. "For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David."

This was evident during His earthly ministry. Whether speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well, forgiving the woman caught in adultery, or confronting the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, Jesus displayed perfect justice mingled with mercy. He is filled with grace and truth. Jesus perceives the thoughts and intents of people’s hearts. He judges with a wisdom far surpassing Solomon’s. Indeed, Jesus is the wisdom of God on display.

As His people, we long for the day when our King returns again to judge the living and the dead, perfectly upholding righteousness.

A Reign of Peace

As the Prince of Peace, Jesus reconciles sinners to God through His blood. There is no more enmity between God and those who are in Christ Jesus. And, this peace is not just the absence of conflict but a deep, abiding harmony with God, with others, and within ourselves. Where outright hostility or servile fear marked men's relationship with God now peace rooted in love reigns.

Through Jesus, the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile has been torn down, uniting believers as one body in Him. The light of His peace shines into our hearts, dissolving the shadows of guilt and fear with the assurance of His finished work. Even when the storms of anxiety threaten to destroy us, the peace of Christ Jesus which surpasses all understanding guards our hearts and minds.

As Jesus reigns in our lives now, we need fear no evil but can hope and rejoice. We endure hardship, trials, and persecutions because nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

A Reign of Love and Sacrifice

Jesus is a King who rules not for His own benefit but for the good of His people. His path to the throne was marked by self-denial and suffering. He bore the weight of leadership on His shoulders, ultimately carrying the cross to secure salvation for His people. His sacrificial love defines His reign and invites us to trust Him completely. Jesus knew the cost of leadership and bore it. Jesus knew the grueling race to becoming governor of the nations and ran the gauntlet.

Since the dawn of time, when the first Adam stumbled under the weight of dominion, men have longed for the day a King would come who could truly lead, truly govern, truly rule, and truly bear the weight of government. That hope is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our King.

The Scope of Jesus’ Dominion

The beauty of Jesus’ reign lies not only in its justice, peace, and sacrificial love but also in its boundless reach and eternal duration. His kingdom is as vast as it is unshakable.

Global Reach

Isaiah 9:7 emphasizes that there is no end to the increase of His government and peace. His dominion is not limited to a specific nation or time period. Unlike earthly rulers whose reigns are temporary and confined, Jesus’ kingdom spans the entire globe and stretches into eternity.

The Great Commission affirms the universal scope of His authority:

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.”

He sent his apostles to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth. And, from the earliest days of the church, the gospel has gone out to Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Macedonia, India, Rome, North Africa, and beyond. Today, His kingdom continues to expand as His people proclaim the good news to every corner of the earth. His rule knows no borders, His kingdom no rival. The light of His dominion pierces the darkness of every nation, tribe, and tongue, calling people into the glorious freedom of His reign.

Eternal Duration

Jesus’ reign is eternal. He is no temporary ruler who rises and falls with the tide of history. After making purification for sins, Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. His throne is firmly established in heaven, and His rule will never end.

This eternal reign fulfills God’s promise to David and assures us that His kingdom is unshakable. Take heart Christian! Nations will rise and nations will fall. Parties will win and parties will lose. Politicians, principalities, prime ministers, and presidents come and go. But the king of Righteousness has entered into the gates of the city and of the increase of his government there will be no end. 

Eternal Victory and the King’s Return

The reign and return of Jesus Christ is breathtaking.

"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war."

Clad in a robe dipped in blood and crowned with many crowns, the King of kings and Lord of lords will come to judge and conquer, putting all enemies under His feet.

On that day, Jesus' kingdom will be fully revealed in glory. The new heavens and the new earth will be established. We are filled with joy but our joy now is only a taste of the glory we long for. We have only seen the glimmering rays of the sunrise. Someday tough we we will see what John saw with our own eyes:

"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying."

Take heart, Christian! The King is coming. He who began His reign in humility will return in majesty. Jesus unshakable kingdom will endure forever.

Our Response to Jesus’ Reign

All of this means nothing to you though if we respond incorrectly to this message. So, how should we respond to such a King?

The question is: Are you part of the “us”? Have you received Jesus as your King? Have you bowed your knee to King Jesus?

• Is Jesus wonderful in your eyes? Do you stand in awe of his person and works?
• Is Jesus your Counselor? Has He shown you the way to the Father? Has he become the advisor of your soul?
• Do you worship Jesus as your mighty God? Have you come to love the King who is mighty to save?
• Is your heart drawn to Jesus as the exact image and likeness of God? When you seek the Father in heaven do you look to the Son? We cannot come to the Father but through the Son.
• Is your soul filled with delight as you meditate upon the Prince of Peace? Does fixing your heart of Jesus fill you with peace? 

Though you have not seen Him, yet do you love Him? Who do you say that Jesus is?

Conclusion

Jesus’ reign is unlike any other. It is marked by justice, peace, and sacrificial love. His dominion spans all nations and endures forever, firmly established by the zeal of the Lord of hosts.

Rejoice Christian!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.”

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Immanuel has come and He has saved His people from their sins. 

The King of David has come and earned His crown.

The Lord of lords and King of kings will someday return upon his white steed and win the final battle.

Alleluia: For the Lord God omnipotent reigns!