The concept of Christ as King is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing His divine authority and the establishment of His righteous kingdom. This kingdom is characterized by justice, peace, and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

Biblical Foundation

The Old Testament prophesies the coming of a righteous king from the line of David. Isaiah 9:6-7 declares, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore."

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is identified as this promised King. The angel Gabriel announces to Mary in Luke 1:32-33 , "He 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."

Nature of the Kingdom

Christ's kingdom is not of this world, as He Himself states in John 18:36 , "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm." This indicates a spiritual reign that transcends earthly political systems.

The kingdom of Christ is marked by righteousness and justice. Psalm 45:6-7 speaks of the eternal nature of His rule: "Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you above your companions with the oil of joy."

The Reign of Christ

Christ's reign is both present and future. In the present, He reigns in the hearts of believers who submit to His lordship. Colossians 1:13-14 states, "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

The future aspect of His kingdom is eschatological, culminating in His second coming. Revelation 11:15 proclaims, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever."

Characteristics of the Kingdom

The kingdom of Christ is characterized by peace, as foretold in Isaiah 11:6-9 , where the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord. It is a kingdom where the oppressed find justice and the poor are uplifted, as seen in Matthew 5:3-10 , the Beatitudes, which describe the blessings of those who are part of His kingdom.

The Role of Believers

Believers are called to live as citizens of this kingdom, embodying its values and spreading its message. Philippians 3:20 reminds Christians, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." They are to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, as instructed in Matthew 6:33 , trusting that all other needs will be provided.

Conclusion

The righteous kingdom of Christ is a profound reality for believers, offering hope and a vision of God's ultimate plan for creation. Through His reign, Christ fulfills the promises of God, bringing justice, peace, and redemption to a fallen world.Psalm 45:6
Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of your kingdom is a right scepter.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 1:8,9
But to the Son he said, Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 32:1
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 23:5
Behold, the days come, said the LORD, that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Herald of the King
... That wrath was inseparable from the coming of the King; for His righteous reign
necessarily meant punishment of unrighteousness. ... So Christ has said. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the herald of the king.htm

The King on his Judgment Throne
... And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I ... Many a man has a hundred vices
and yet a soft ... Does Christ so contradict all the rest of His teaching as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the king on his judgment.htm

About the Prefigured Change of the Israelitic Kingdom and ...
... read in the psalm, "But God, our King before the ... of the earth, for He is righteous."
Throughout she ... creed of Christians: For the Lord Christ has ascended into ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 4 about the prefigured change.htm

The Surprise of the Righteous
... "Then shall the King say unto ... it, which is at first sight puzzling, and which has
caused, ere ... did good to their fellow-creatures, they did it to Christ the Lord ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxvii the surprise of.htm

The Kingdom of God.
... us even now: in one word, if God and Christ be not ... Man himself, as others fancy,
be the only king of this ... man who is more righteous than he; and has made men ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon ix the kingdom of.htm

A vision of the King.
... when the Father will establish Him as King, when He ... service to mankind, world progress,
but the Christ of God ... with the heart which knows Him and has given Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/a vision of the king.htm

It was Therefore Better for Me to Hide Myself, and to Wait for ...
... But thanks be to the Lord who has given you the kingdom. ... the day of judgment, may
have boldness to say to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the King of all ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/35 it was therefore better.htm

The Fraud, Pride, and Tyrannical Kingdom of Antichrist, as ...
... leading astray those who worship him, as if he were Christ. ... been cast away in the
earth, and he has been active ... towards the end of their kingdom a king of a ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv the fraud pride and.htm

The Lord's Prayer
... which none shall mistake, that He is Lord and King. ... stern taskmaster, no unfeeling
tyrant, but Jesus Christ, your Lord ... before Him and the souls which He has made ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxviii the lords prayer.htm

Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... [1052] Though He is the great King, He grudges ... the name of Godhead also belongs to
Him (Christ), for He ... And this honour of worship God has given to the sons of ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm

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