Psalm 2:6 Yet have I set my king on my holy hill of Zion. Jesus is King as well as Saviour. He requires subjects. They must know something of the nature, as well as the duties, of His kingdom. Two important questions call for consideration: What are the characteristics of Christ's kingdom, and what relation do we individually sustain toward it? I. CHRIST'S KINGDOM ENJOYS THE APPROVAL AND SANCTION OF GOD. He declares, "Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion." Jesus comes to the throne in an orderly way. He is no usurper. He rules in harmony with the will, and by "the decree" of Him who is Lord of all. II. CHRIST IS KING BY INHERITANCE. He is God's "Son," His "only begotten Son," and so is entitled to rule, III. CHRIST, AS KING, PROCLAIMS HIS AUTHORITY: "The Lord hath said." he administers the affairs of government as one divinely endowed. He is Divine, and so possessed of omniscience and omnipotence. IV. HIS IS AN EXTENSIVE KINGDOM: "The heathen," or the nations, "are given Him for an inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession." V. HIS IS A JUDICIAL, AS WELL AS A SAVING KINGDOM: His enemies shall be broken with "a rod of iron," and dashed "to pieces like a potter's vessel," which, made of clay, cannot withstand forced contact with the hard ground. VI. EARTH'S FORCES ANTAGONISE CHRIST'S KINGDOM. 1. The heathen rise up in opposition to it. 2. It is subject to popular machinations for its overthrow. 3. Men in high station and leaders in public opinion conspire against it. VII. CHRIST'S IS A VICTORIOUS KINGDOM. "The Lord" and His "anointed," or the Messiah, are independent of hostile agencies. "He that sitteth in the heavens shall have them in derision." He, however, gives them reminders of His presence and power, speaking at times to "them in His Wrath," and at other times vexing "them in His sore displeasure." A kingdom so Divine, so potential, so extensive, and so gracious is not to be treated with indifference. It bears upon every person in the wide universe of God. It concerns man's weal or woe. Its proper consideration demands of us personally — 1. Wise action. 2. Due enlightenment. 3. Judicious service. 4. Considerate delight. 5. Timely subjection. 6. Implicit trustfulness. (H. M. Patterson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. |
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