Topical Bible: Kings: Reign by Direction of Christ

◄ Kings: Reign by Direction of Christ ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of kings reigning by the direction of Christ is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where the sovereignty of God and the lordship of Christ are central themes. Throughout Scripture, the role of kings and rulers is depicted as being under the ultimate authority of God, with Christ as the fulfillment of divine kingship.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, the idea of kingship is introduced with the establishment of the monarchy in Israel. God’s intention for kingship is articulated in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, where the king is to be chosen by God and is expected to adhere to His laws. The king is to be a servant leader, ruling with justice and righteousness, reflecting God's own character.

The reign of King David is often highlighted as a model of a king who sought to rule under God's direction. Despite his flaws, David is described as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). His psalms frequently express a reliance on God’s guidance and a desire to lead according to divine will. David’s covenant with God, as recorded in 2 Samuel 7, establishes his lineage as the line through which the ultimate King, the Messiah, would come.

Messianic Prophecies

The Old Testament is replete with prophecies concerning a future king who would reign with perfect justice and righteousness. Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of a child born to us, who will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." His government and peace will have no end, and He will reign on David’s throne, establishing it with justice and righteousness.

Similarly, Jeremiah 23:5-6 foretells the coming of a righteous Branch from David’s line, a King who will reign wisely and execute justice and righteousness in the land. These prophecies point to the expectation of a divinely appointed ruler who would embody the perfect kingship that human kings could only imperfectly represent.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of these messianic prophecies. In the Gospels, Jesus is presented as the King of Kings, whose kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). His reign is characterized by spiritual authority and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

The angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary in Luke 1:32-33 declares that Jesus will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.

In the Book of Revelation, Christ is depicted as the ultimate sovereign, the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). His reign is eternal, and He exercises authority over all creation, fulfilling the divine plan for a kingdom where righteousness dwells.

Theological Implications

The reign of kings by the direction of Christ underscores the belief in Christ’s ultimate authority over all earthly rulers. Proverbs 21:1 states, "The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases." This reflects the conviction that all authority is derived from God and that Christ, as the divine King, directs the course of history according to His sovereign will.

Believers are called to recognize Christ’s lordship in all areas of life, including governance. Romans 13:1-2 instructs Christians to submit to governing authorities, acknowledging that there is no authority except that which God has established. This submission is not blind allegiance but a recognition of God’s overarching sovereignty.

Practical Application

For Christians, the reign of Christ over earthly kings serves as a reminder to pray for leaders and those in authority, as instructed in 1 Timothy 2:1-2. It encourages believers to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8), reflecting the values of Christ’s kingdom in their own lives.

Ultimately, the reign of kings by the direction of Christ points to the hope of His return, when He will establish His kingdom in its fullness, bringing about the restoration of all things and the consummation of His perfect reign.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 8:15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Abraham's Faith
... the kingdom of Christ, and Gospel of Christ, and the ... commanded them to go forth in
every direction and fill ... is King of kings; "by Him kings reign and princes ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xii abrahams faith.htm

Of the Things Pertaining to Christ and the Church, Said Either ...
... Thy beauty go forward, proceed prosperously, and reign, because of ... ever and ever:
a rod of direction is the ... out of which the daughters of kings have delighted ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 16 of the things pertaining.htm

About the Time of Christ, in Accordance with Prophecy, the Rulers ...
... is, from the time of Moses to the reign of Augustus ... and then by David, and before
the kings leaders governed ... For the priests had the direction of affairs until ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi about the time of.htm

1 Thess. 2:1-2. "For Kings. "
... words of the text occur in the first direction which St. ... to thank God for the wise
and beneficent reign of our ... names in the long roll of English kings which no ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xxi 1 thess 2 1-2.htm

The First Kings.
... petition of the people to God for direction in answering ... This occurred in the eighteenth
year of his reign. ... beginning of this history of the kings, suggests a ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Whether it was Fitting that Christ Should Work Miracles in the ...
... of Judea, as may be gathered from 3 Kings 18:10 ... with it from the east, and continue
in a westerly direction. ... that this took place during the reign of Tiberius ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting that 9.htm

Author's Preface.
... Solomon's Reign. ... Under the rule of Greek kings. ... This book when completed in our Sunday
Schools will, if done under the direction of the author, be given credit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tidwell/the bible period by period/authors preface.htm

He Then once More Excellently, Appropriately, and Clearly Examines ...
... just judgment, and declares that by her kings reign, and princes ... But we know of kings
who in truth advance under ... under heaven, by excess in one direction or in ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then once.htm

The Man Christ Jesus
... For he shall reign for ever and ever ... The kings of the earth set themselves, and the
rulers take ... of thought does not seem to run in the direction of evangelical ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the man christ jesus.htm

It Would Therefore be to their Profit, for the Young to Refrain ...
... while, in the hours of youth, in the direction of evil ... Him, and be glorified with
Him, and reign with Him ... to see it, and many prophets and kings have desired to ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxiv it would therefore.htm