My kingdom is not of this world.
John 18:36
The expression, “My kingdom is not of this world”, brings before us some very important principles that can be a practical guide for our lives as we wait for the Lords return. It tells us that the character of the Lords kingdom is not at all the character of the kingdoms of this world. The principles that govern the kingdoms of this world are very different from the principles that govern the Lords kingdom.
To have a kingdom there must be two things in place. First there must be a person, one who reigns. Second there must be a place where this one exercises his authority.[1]
There is an outstanding feature in the Lords kingdom that we must never forget. It is found in Colossians 1:12-14.
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
The outstanding feature of
the kingdom.
In the kingdom of His dear Son, or as it has been translated – The kingdom of the Son of His love, the outstanding feature is love that has come in power and delivered us.[2] The greatest display of love that this world has ever seen is when the Son of God allowed cruel men to nail Him to the cross. He gave His life for all, even His enemies, that whosoever would turn to Him and believe on Him would have eternal life. This is something that we should always have before us. He is not an austere man, He is not a tyrant demanding from us what we cannot do. He is a God of love, gentleness and kindness. Yes, He wants obedience and submission to His will, but He wants it out of heart of love, a heart of gratitude and thankfulness. Under law many demands are made that cannot be performed, but under grace we are given all that we need to live a life for the pleasure and glory of God.
Run - Jump - Stand the law demands, but it gives us neither feet nor hands. The gospel speaks of better things, it bids us fly, but it gives us wings.
The intention of this meditation is to have these two important items about “My kingdom” before us, keeping in mind that the character of this kingdom is love. His love for the subjects in His kingdom, His desire that in love for Him they would be more than willing to give Him the place of authority, knowing that He seeks only good and blessing for His people. We might not always understand just what He is doing, but by keeping in mind that verse that tells us that “as for God His way is perfect”, we find that by submitting to Him and the principles that govern His kingdom the result will always for the best.
The two items that we are going to consider together are these:
1. The person that reigns in “My kingdom”.
2. The place where He exercises His authority.
Let us look first at
The Person,
Pilate therefore said unto
him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To
this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should
bear witness unto the truth. John 18:37
Yes, the Lord Jesus was born a king, but what does it mean
to have such a position. We get lordship bought before us in Philippians chapter
2:8-11.
And being found in
fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross. Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Lordship can be summed up in three words: Authority, Supremacy and Rule. A good illustration of this is found in Genesis 41:40-43.
Thou shalt be over my
house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the
throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have
set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his
hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand (Authority), and arrayed him in vestures of
fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the
second chariot which he had (Supremacy); and they cried before him, Bow the
knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt (Rule).
In Philippians 2 we see that the Lord exercises His lordship over things in heaven, things in earth and things under the earth.
It would be helpful to contrast the lordship of Christ with the headship of Christ found in Colossians 1:18-20.
And he is the head of
the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that
in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in
him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his
cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they
be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Headship can also be summed up in three words: Direction, Control and Sustenance. A good illustration of this is found in Luke 9:13-17.
But he said unto them,
Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two
fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were
about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples (Direction), Make them
sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down
(Control). Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to
heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the
multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled (Sustenance): and there was
taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
In Colossians 1 we see that the Lord exercises His headship over things in earth and things in heaven, but not things under the earth.
Every being, even the infernal beings under the earth, will one day be compelled to acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. They might have been instrumental in turning many away form Christ and enticing them with false profits and false hopes. But one day they will be compelled to acknowledge that Jesus and Jesus only is Lord. At that time Jesus will exercise His lordship over them (Authority, Supremacy and Rule), but He never exercises headship over them (Direction, Control and Sustenance), they get their sustenance from another source.
Now we will consider
The Place
Where Jesus Exercises His Lordship.
The three times that David was anointed will help us to understand the place where the Lord desires to exercise His lordship.
The first time brings before us the family, in the home.
The second is in the assembly, when the Lords people are gathered together unto His name.
The third is in the whole world in a future day, when all will be compelled to acknowledge Him as Lord.
The first time David was
anointed.
The first time David was anointed is in 1 Samuel 16:11-13
And Samuel said unto
Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the
youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send
and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and
brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and
goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then
Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and
the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.
The first time David was anointed was in his home. The Lord Jesus desires to have the place of authority in the lives of men and women and children. In other words in households, in the homes of His people.
The home is the foundation stone for all Christian activity. If Christ has His place in the home, it will be seen in every other place where the Christian might be. It is of first importance that we give the Lord Jesus His place in the home.
There is a household mentioned in 2 John 1:1-4.
The elder unto the
elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also
all they that have known the truth; For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us,
and shall be with us for ever. Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God
the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and
love. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we
have received a commandment from the Father.
Walking in the truth is allowing the truth to guide us in our lives. It is the Lords instructions for a life that will be for His pleasure. It is giving the Lord that place of authority.
The second time David was anointed.
The second time David was anointed is in 2 Samuel 2:4
And the men of Judah
came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.
The second time David was anointed was over the tribe of Judah. He is not yet over all the nation of Israel, but he had this place of authority among many that love him and are more than willing to give him the place that he should have.
This second time corresponds with the assembly. The Lord is not yet taking His place over all the creation. This will happen. In the meantime there is a place where many have been willing to give Him that place of lordship today. In the assembly, or the church, many have willingly submitted to His will and His instructions. The word of God, the Bible, guides them in their decisions and activities. We are aware that some that call themselves Christian have not come to the point of allowing the word of God to be their guide. They have been influenced by traditions and the wills of men. This, I would like to point out, is not giving the Lord Jesus that place of lordship, and cannot be considered as true Christian activity. The word of God contains all the instructions that we need to know His will for us as we wait for the Lords return.
This brings us to a very important point that many of the dear children of God have not considered. It may be offensive to some that have not searched the word to get their guidance. In the early church the Lord established official positions in the church. The Apostles had this authority and at times they delegated it to another. Today we have no Apostles. One had to have seen the Lord in the flesh to qualify for such a position. There are some who may claim to be an apostle, but their teaching does not correspond with the teaching of Jesus in the Bible. According to Gods word, we cannot have official positions of authority in the church today. That place belongs the Lord Jesus Himself. Some might say that we have not guidance then, all will do what they want and there will be chaos. This is the very point that we need to get to. The guidance is there, the Word of God has not changed it still shows us the mind of the Lord. We must allow it to take a higher place in our lives that all traditions and sayings of men. This would be allowing the Lord to have the place of Lordship in the assembly.
It is helpful to notice that in all the epistles to the assemblies, none are addressed to a select group of elders or any other office. They are addressed to the whole assembly.[3]
Romans 1:7
To all that be in Rome,
beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:2
Unto the church of God
which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be
saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our
Lord, both theirs and ours:
2 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God
which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
Galatians 1:1-2
Paul,
an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the
Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me,
unto the churches of Galatia:
Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the
faithful in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the
servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at
Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Paul,
an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, to
the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto
you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and
Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and
in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father,
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessaloninas 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and
Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ:
Bishops and deacons are only mentioned in Philippians and there they are not addressed by themselves, they are included with “all the saints in Christ Jesus”.[4]
Also in the Revelation, where seven assemblies are addressed, we get some further help.
Revelation 2:1
Unto the angel of the
church of Ephesus write;
There is something that needs to be understood before we look at our passage.
Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus
Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must
shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his
servant John:
The word signified means it is a symbol to represent something.
Who are the letters written to? To the angel of the church is each location. What does the angel represent? Some would say the administration. I have no problem with that, but who makes up the administration? We are not left to guess or make up our own definition, the word of God itself tells us who it is.
Revelation 2:7
He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
The same pattern is found in each of the addresses to the seven assemblies.
Responsibility of administration falls to everyone that has an ear, everyone that is willing to hear what the Spirit has to say and bow to it. Too many will insist that we bow to what they say, but that is not giving the Lord His place of lordship in the assembly.[5]
This brings us to a very important point as to how we deal with one another in assembly matters, or in any matter.
I want to address my younger brethren at this time.
I would encourage you to take an interest in the assembly. If the Lord does not come first, our older brethren will be taken home and my younger brethren will need to carry on the functions of the assembly.
I ask my younger brethren this, be very careful with your older brethren, deal kindly and gently with them. They love the Lord Jesus and are seeking to please Him. If ever one of them might not be correct in what they say of do, be in much prayer as to how to approach them. Be careful as to not allow the flesh to enter in and spoil what you do. Always take a low place and speak respectfully to them
Now I would like to address my older brethren. We often hear the speaker say I have a word for the young. Well, now I have a word for the older ones.
I would encourage you to consider the exercises and feelings of your younger brethren. Deal gently with them, they love the Lord Jesus and are just venturing into areas that they might not have much experience. Some might be very forward and need to be encouraged to slow down and take things a little more gently. Some might be very timid to say anything or voice their thoughts and need to be carefully drawn out and encouraged to share their concerns and exercises.
I know this might open up opportunities for the flesh, be it in the younger or the older, but it is very important to keep the communications open between our brethren. We can organize things so much so the flesh has no opportunity, but this is what has quenched the Spirit in most of Christendom. This is an error that exalts a few men and sets aside the lordship of Jesus.
We all have had times when we said something in the flesh. We were humbled by it, the Lord pressed on our consciences that we did something wrong and we felt it very much. It was necessary to apologize and acknowledge our wrong. These humbling experiences, if we are honest about them, will work for our good.
The third time David was anointed.
The third time David was anointed is in 2 Samuel 5:1-5
Then came all the
tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy
bone and thy flesh. Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he
that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou
shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel. So all the
elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with
them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel. David
was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In
Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he
reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah.
The third time David was anointed was over all of Israel. All, now, have come to him and all acknowledge that the Lord has given him the place of captain over all of Israel.
This third time corresponds with the time when all will acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
Philippians 2:9-11
Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in
earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
All of the Lords people have found a special pleasure in considering the time when their Lord and saviour will no longer be treated as an undesireable outcast. The one who suffered in ways beyond our comprehension will one day be acknowledged as Lord. Those who have shared in His suffering and reproach will also share a place of honor.
There are a number of verses that tell us of that time
For
he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign
with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Revelation 5:10
And hast made us unto our God
kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation 11:15
And the seventh angel sounded; and
there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are
become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever
and ever.
Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath
part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but
they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand
years.
Revelation 22:5
And there shall be no night there;
and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them
light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
In
summary, a Kingdom must have a King and a realm where He exercises His
lordship.
When the Lord Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” we find that His kingdom is not marked by the same governing principles that the kingdoms of this world are marked by. He was willing to suffer for His own. He is marked by such tender love and affection for all the subjects in His kingdom.
Today He reigns in the homes and in the assemblies where His people have willingly and happily given Him that place of lordship, knowing that He will ever lead His people in ways that are only good and for their blessing.
In a future day He will have complete authority given to Him and this whole world will acknowledge Him as Lord. May God hasten that day.
We will close our meditation with Montgomery’s hymn, number 40 in the appendix of the 1881 edition of the Little Flock hymnbook, it expresses many of these thoughts well.
1. Hail
to the Lord's anointed !
Great David's greater Son:
When to the time appointed
The rolling years shall run,
He comes to break oppression,
To set the captive free;
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity.
2. The heavens which now conceal Him
In counsels deep and wise
In glory shall reveal Him
To our adoring eyes;
He who with hands uplifted
Went from the earth below,
Shall come again all gifted,
His blessings to bestow.
3. He shall come down like showers
Upon the new-mown grass,
And joy and hope, like flowers,
Spring up where He doth pass.
Before Him, on the mountains,
Shall Peace, the herald go;
And righteousness, in fountains,
From hill to valley flow.
4. Kings shall fall down before Him,
And gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him,
His praise all people sing,
Outstretched His wide dominion
O'er river, sea, and shore,
Far as the eagle's pinion,
Or dove's light wing can soar.