Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of Christ as King and the saints receiving a kingdom from Him is a central theme in Christian eschatology and theology. This entry explores the biblical basis for this belief, drawing from various scriptural passages that highlight the role of Jesus Christ as the sovereign ruler and the inheritance promised to His followers.
Christ as KingThe kingship of Christ is a foundational doctrine in Christianity, affirming Jesus as the sovereign ruler over all creation. This kingship is prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. In
Isaiah 9:6-7, the prophet foretells the coming of a ruler whose government and peace will have no end, stating, "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." This prophecy is understood to refer to Jesus Christ, whose reign is established through His life, death, and resurrection.
In the New Testament, the kingship of Christ is affirmed in several passages. In
Matthew 28:18, Jesus declares, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." This statement underscores His supreme authority and dominion. Furthermore, in
Revelation 19:16, Christ is depicted as the "King of kings and Lord of lords," a title that emphasizes His ultimate sovereignty over all earthly and heavenly powers.
The Kingdom for the SaintsThe promise of a kingdom for the saints is a recurring theme in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. This kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope, characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (
Romans 14:17).
In the Beatitudes, Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven as an inheritance for the poor in spirit and those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (
Matthew 5:3, 10). This kingdom is not of this world, as Jesus explains to Pilate in
John 18:36, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not from here."
The apostle Paul further elaborates on the inheritance of the saints in
Colossians 1:12-13, where he writes, "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son." This passage highlights the transformative work of God in transferring believers from darkness to the kingdom of Christ.
The Future FulfillmentThe ultimate fulfillment of the saints receiving a kingdom is eschatological, pointing to the future reign of Christ and the participation of believers in His eternal kingdom. In
2 Timothy 2:12, Paul assures, "if we endure, we will also reign with Him." This promise of reigning with Christ is echoed in
Revelation 5:10, where the saints are described as a "kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth."
The book of Daniel also provides a prophetic vision of this future kingdom. In
Daniel 7:27, it is written, "Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him." This vision underscores the eternal nature of the kingdom and the role of the saints in sharing in its glory.
In summary, the biblical narrative presents Christ as the King who bestows a kingdom upon His saints. This kingdom is both a present spiritual reality and a future hope, characterized by the reign of Christ and the participation of believers in His eternal dominion.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Luke 22:29,30And I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed to me;
Torrey's Topical TextbookHebrews 12:28
Why we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Kingdom Given to the Saints at the Resurrection of the Just.
... which the righteous dead and the living saints are made ... Jesus Christ." "And if ye
be Christ's, then are ... used to symbolize the loss of the king's reason, there ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the kingdom given to the.htm
A vision of the King.
... of Peace" (Hebrews 7:2); "King of saints" (Revelation 15 ... He is not King of the church,
but the Head of ... Body, the church; Head and Body together, Christ and His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/a vision of the king.htm
His Future Work
... enacted upon this earth and He returns as the King of Glory ... accomplished in connection
with this judgment seat of Christ, He will lead His Saints into the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/iii his future work.htm
"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... and therefore Christ is the "King of saints," Revelation 15:3 ... to bow their knees
to Jesus, the "King of kings ... is more admirable, it is to God, to Christ, to true ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi but seek ye.htm
How Caedwalla, King of the West Saxons, Went to Rome to be ...
... whom thou seest attain to the kingdom of Christ.". ... Here was buried Caedwalla, called
also Peter, king of the ... received into the fellowship of the saints in heaven ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap vii how caedwalla king.htm
The Fraud, Pride, and Tyrannical Kingdom of Antichrist, as ...
... astray those who worship him, as if he were Christ. ... And towards the end of their
kingdom a king of a ... his tyranny shall last, during which the saints shall be ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv the fraud pride and.htm
The Great Preparatives for the Saints' Rest.
... 4. The last preparative for the saints' rest is their solemn coronation and receiving
the kingdom ... For as Christ, their head, is anointed both King and Priest ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ii the great preparatives.htm
Proofs of Jesus Christ
... The saints have their power, their glory, their victory, their lustre, and ... would
have been useless for our Lord Jesus Christ to come like a king, in order ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xii proofs of jesus.htm
Greatness in the Kingdom
... into it, and becomes a true servant and subject of the King. ... comes in the measure
of a man's faith in Christ, thereby are lifted above saints and martyrs ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/greatness in the kingdom.htm
The Charge of the Pilgrim Priests
... talents out of the rich possessions of the departing king. ... is the faith once delivered
to the saints; the solemn ... of love and peace in Jesus Christ, which was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the charge of the pilgrim.htm
Resources
What does it mean to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christ consciousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21)? | GotQuestions.orgChrist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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