The concept of Christ as King, seated on the throne of David, is a central theme in Christian theology, reflecting the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the establishment of Jesus' eternal reign. This entry explores the biblical basis for this belief, its theological implications, and its significance in the Christian faith.

Biblical Foundation

The promise of a king from the line of David is rooted in the Old Testament. In 2 Samuel 7:12-13, God makes a covenant with David, declaring, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever." This covenant is understood as a messianic prophecy, pointing to a future ruler who would establish an everlasting kingdom.

The prophet Isaiah further elaborates on this promise, foretelling the birth of a child who will reign on David's throne: "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" (Isaiah 9:6-7).

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament writers affirm that Jesus Christ fulfills these Old Testament prophecies. In the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that her son Jesus will inherit the throne of David: "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" (Luke 1:32-33).

The apostle Peter, in his sermon on the day of Pentecost, explicitly connects Jesus to the Davidic promise: "Brothers, I can tell you with confidence that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that He would place one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay" (Acts 2:29-31).

Theological Implications

The enthronement of Christ as King on the throne of David signifies the inauguration of God's kingdom, characterized by justice, righteousness, and peace. This kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope. Believers are called to live under Christ's lordship, acknowledging His authority and participating in His redemptive mission.

The book of Revelation presents a vision of Christ's ultimate reign, where He is depicted as the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). This eschatological vision assures believers of the final victory of Christ over all powers and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Significance in Christian Faith

The belief in Christ as the King who sits on the throne of David is foundational to Christian worship and doctrine. It affirms the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament and underscores the divine nature and authority of Jesus. This belief inspires hope and confidence in the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the consummation of His kingdom.Isaiah 9:7
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David, and on his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from now on even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 37:24,25
And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 1:32
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 2:30
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ...
... when He takes unto Himself His power and sits upon the ... Goshen, the best in all Egypt;
so when Christ returns to ... yet return to earth to reign as King of Kings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the fact of the.htm

The People's Christ
... Though he sits high on his Father's throne, he was "one chosen ... the aristocrat's Christ,
he is not the noble's Christ, he is not the king's Christ; but he is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm

Christ is Glorious --Let us Make Him Known
... of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Yet, my ... man-child, the Lord Jesus,
lives and sits upon the ... the dragon's time is over, and the King shall reign ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/christ is gloriouslet us make.htm

The King --Continued.
... Christ's servants must be both soldiers and priests, like some of ... worn world, the
servants of the priest-king are to ... person to whom it can apply, who sits as a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xii the kingcontinued.htm

The Position of Pre-Millennialism.
... They do not hold that Christ is now reigning as King, on the ... Him to enter into the
office of His kingship until He returns to the earth and sits upon the ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/2 the position of pre-millennialism.htm

A Young Man's Wise Choice Op Wisdom
... It is to those who 'abide in Christ,' and have Him ... and trembles to think that he,
a mere lad, sits on David's ... with God that He has made him king, and implies ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a young mans wise choice.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... the Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief," no more in weakness and dishonor
taken out to die; he sits as a ... As King of kings, Jesus Christ is exalted ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

The Throne of Grace
... to get its ear; but, oh, when grace sits on the ... all his promises are yea and amen
in Christ Jesus; but ... its charter, then it pleads its rights before the king. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the throne of grace.htm

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... believer is received with smiles by him that sits upon the ... I say no king of Tyre
and Sidon shall do it ... again and I will receive you unto myself" Christ shall be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

The Ascension of Christ
... even as he has overcome and sits with the ... pure spirits who retained their loyalty
to the almighty King! ... fall like lightning from heaven when Christ ascended to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the ascension of christ.htm

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