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CHRIST’S FUTURE REIGN
OF prophecy we may say, that it is by far the most satisfactory evidence which we have of the truth of our holy religion. Yet it is not altogether the number of the things that have been foretold respecting our blessed Lord, no, nor even the minuteness of them, that carries the fullest conviction to our minds: it is the strangeness of them, and the great improbability that such things should ever have combined in our Lord and Saviour: this, I say, it is which renders the prophecies so demonstrative of the Messiahship of Jesus. For, suppose that God had determined to send his only dear Son into the world for our redemption, and to inform us beforehand what an appearance he should make in the world, and what a reception he should find; what should we expect to be declared concerning him? Certainly we should expect that God would send him in a way suited to his august character; so that by the very splendour of his appearance he should manifest his relation to God, and carry conviction to the minds of all who should behold him. We should expect that his reception should perfectly accord with this. In truth, we could conceive no other, than that, if God should manifest himself in human flesh, and more especially if he should, in proof of his divine mission, work innumerable miracles, which, whilst they could admit of no doubt, should shadow forth the salvation which he was come to impart, all of necessity must love him, and acknowledge him as their Lord, and give themselves up to him as his obedient followers. And if the general tenour of prophecy had accorded with these views, and represented him as to be so received, it would have precisely answered the expectations we had formed. But in proportion as the prophecies corresponded with our previous expectations, they would have been divested of their force. It is the contrariety of the prophecies to all human expectations that gives them such weight; for the less the events predicted could be expected by men, the more, provided they were really accomplished, they would shew that they had proceeded from God; who alone could foresee what should really occur, or think of accomplishing his purposes by such extraordinary means. Now the prophecy before us commends itself to us most highly in this particular view; since its representations of the Messiah are such as no finite intelligence could ever have anticipated; and its statements of events are such as could never have been expected to flow from the mission of such a person into the world.
Let us consider,
I. The representation which is here given of the Messiah—
The words before us are an address of the Father to his own Son, under the character of the Messiah. And behold the description given of him!
Nothing can be conceived more humiliating—
[It is here predicted, that he should be an object of contempt and abhorrence to his whole nation, and, though in himself the Creator of heaven and earth, be regarded by the Rulers as the meanest slave. But can it be of the Messiah that such things are foretold? Yes, of the Messiah himself, who was to be known und distinguished by these very marks: so that, if any person, professing himself to be the appointed Messiah, should not answer to this character, it would be a sufficient proof that he was an impostor. If he be the Messiah indeed, he must be one “whom men despise, and the whole nation abhor,” and who, by “the Rulers,” is treated as a slave.]
This, however, was the character of the Lord Jesus Christ—
[Never was a being more despised than he. His whole appearance was contemptible in the eyes of those who looked for a temporal prince; so that he was indeed “a root out of a dry ground, having no form nor comeliness; and they who saw him could find no beauty in him, for which he was to be desired [Note: Isa_53:2.].” In truth, he was as “a worm,” and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people [Note: Psa_22:6.].” Nothing was too contemptuous to say of him, nothing too insulting to do unto him. Some said of him, “He is a gluttonous man, a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners [Note: Mat_9:19.]:” others even appealed to himself for the justness of their reproaches; “Say we not well, that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil [Note: Joh_8:48.]?” And when they could not deny his miracles, they denounced him as a confederate with Beelzebub, and as acting by a power derived from him [Note: Mat_9:34.]. To express their utter contempt of his pretensions as the promised Messiah, they “arrayed him in mock majesty, and spat upon him, and smote him, saying, Tell us who smote thee [Note: Mat_27:29-30. Luk_22:64.]?” In this “the whole nation” concurred. The Rulers would on no account suffer Pilate to release him: the people “with one voice cried out, Crucify him! crucify him!” and “desired that Barabbas, who was a murderer, should be granted to them in preference to him.” Crucifixion was a death to which none but slaves were doomed: but nothing less than that would satisfy the Rulers; who having dragged him before the different tribunals of Pilate, and Herod, and the High Priest, consigned him over, at last, to that death which was regarded as accursed both by God and man [Note: Gal_3:13.].]
And that same character attaches to him at this very hour—
[I need not say how his name is cast out both by Jews and Gentiles. I will speak of him rather as he still appears even in the Christian world. I grant that nominally he is regarded with great veneration and respect; but really he is treated, and that too even by his professed followers, just as he was in the days of old.
What is there in his religion that conciliates the regards of men? It is at this very hour, no less than in former ages, to self-righteous pharisees “a stumbling-block,” and to those who are wise in their own conceit “foolishness [Note: 1Co_1:23.].” To stand indebted wholly to the Lord Jesus Christ for righteousness and strength, and to give the whole glory of our salvation to him alone, is thought as absurd in this day, as it was, in the Apostle’s days, to look for salvation to one who saved not himself, but was crucified as a malefactor. In like manner to devote oneself entirely to him, and to live altogether to his glory, is deemed a ridiculous excess at this day, just as much as it was in the days of old. Does any one doubt this? Look then at any person who preaches fully and faithfully the cross of Christ; and say whether his doctrine be not despised as in days of old? or look at any one that truly follows Christ, and see whether there be not, as arising out of that very circumstance, a good measure of contempt and obloquy cast upon him by his friends and relatives. See whether “the offence of the cross have ceased [Note: Gal_5:11.].” See whether Christ be not still hated and persecuted in his members, just as he was in his own person, though not altogether with the same malignity. Yes truly, his obedient followers are still regarded as “the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things [Note: 1Co_4:13.]:” and if they be not treated as in former days, it is not owing to any change that has taken place in the hearts of their enemies, but to the protection afforded by the laws, where Christianity is the religion of the land.
Now this I consider as an evidence in favour of the Gospel which we preach. If our doctrine und its professors were generally approved by the world, it would give very just ground to suspect that our sentiments were not those of the Apostles; since our blessed Lord foretold that his disciples should “be hated of all men for his name’s sake [Note: Mat_10:22.];” and St. Paul also has declared that “all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution [Note: 2Ti_3:12.].” But our blessed Saviour was treated as the Prophet Isaiah had foretold; and, both in his doctrine and in his members, he is still treated precisely as he and his inspired Apostles have given us reason to expect.]
We are not however discouraged: nor need we be, if we consider,
II. The determination of God respecting him—
God has decreed that all mankind shall bow to the sceptre of his Son—
[Kings and princes, however great in the eyes of men, are as much under the control of God as the meanest of the human race: and in God’s good time they shall all, even all throughout the whole world, submit themselves to him: “they shall see, and arise, and worship him.” Yes verily, dishonoured as the Lord Jesus Christ has been, and despised as he still is, and especially among the great and mighty, “he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high;” and “kings,” being brought to a just consideration of his character, “shall shut their mouths at him” with the profoundest reverence [Note: Isa_52:13; Isa_52:15.]. Nor shall he be thus regarded only by his ancient people the Jews: the remotest monarchs of the earth shall honour him: “the kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts: yea, all kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall serve him [Note: Psa_72:10-11.].”]
For this he pledges both the veracity of his word and the immutability of his counsels—
“All princes shall worship him, because of the Lord who is faithful.” Jehovah has not only said, “I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion [Note: Psa_2:6.];” but he has confirmed his word with an oath, saying, “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone forth out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me (in my incarnate state) every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear [Note: Isa_45:23.].” Now this word is not gone forth in vain. It began, in some small degree, to be accomplished even in the apostolic age; and still more when Christianity was embraced by the head of the Roman Empire. But a mere nominal subjection to him, such as is now professed amongst the princes of Christendom, is not that allegiance of which my text speaks. No: there shall be a willing and unreserved subjection to him amongst all the kings of the earth, and all the kingdoms of the world shall become his undisputed empire [Note: Rev_11:15.]. It has been promised to the Messiah himself: “Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the utmost ends of the earth for thy possession [Note: Psa_2:8.].” It has been promised also to the Church of God: “Kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and Queens thy nursing-mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet [Note: ver. 23.].” And “hath God spoken thus, and will he not make it good?”
“His counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure [Note: Isa_46:10.].” “He hath chosen [Note: The concluding words of the text should have been translated in the past tense. See Vitringa in loc.]” the Lord Jesus to be his servants and “given him for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth,” and to redeem the inhabitants of it from their bondage [Note: Compare ver. 8, 9. with ch. 42:1.]: and who shall change his purpose, or obstruct the execution of his will? In the covenant he entered into with his own Son, he engaged, that, “when his Son should make his soul an offering for sin, he should see a seed who should prolong their days, and the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hands: yea, that he would give unto him the great for a portion, and divide unto him the strong for a spoil [Note: Isa_53:10-12.].” And we may be perfectly assured, that this stone, however disallowed by the professed builders of the Church. “shall become the head of the corner [Note: 1Pe_2:6-7.]:” yea, “this stone, cut out without hands, shall break in pieces all the kingdoms of the world, and establish one undivided empire over the face of the whole earth [Note: Dan_2:34-35; Dan_2:44-45.].”]
Behold, then,
1. What a glorious period is fast approaching!
[Assuredly, what is here foretold shall be fulfilled in its season. Was Jesus, “after all his humiliation” unto death, exalted above all the principalities and powers of heaven, earth, and hell [Note: Php_2:6-11.]; and shall not all that hath been predicted concerning him be fulfilled? Yes; “He shall be king over all the earth: there shall be but one Lord, and his name one [Note: Zec_14:9.]:” and if any refuse to bow to the sceptre of his grace, “they shall be broken in pieces, as a potter’s vessel [Note: Psa_2:9.].” Contemplate then this day, when all, without exception, “shall be righteous [Note: Isa_60:21.];” when “holiness to the Lord shall be written upon the bells of the horses;” and when “there shall no more be found a Canaanite in the land [Note: Zec_14:20-21.].” Did Abraham, at the distance of two thousand years, rejoice at his glimmering prospect of the Redeemer’s first advent [Note: Joh_8:56.]; and shall not we rejoice in the glorious consummation which is now so fast approaching? Surely the heavens and the earth should rejoice, yea, the “hills should break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field should clap their hands,” at the prospect which we now enjoy of a speedy and universal establishment of the Redeemer’s kingdom upon earth [Note: ver. 13. with Psa_98:4-9.].]
2. What encouragement have they who minister in holy things!
[The Prophets and Apostles had much to contend with, in their day; and some of them saw, at the time, but little fruit of their labour. But would one among them think either his labours or his sufferings too great, if he could now see what exists upon the face of the earth, among the saints of God? How much less, then, will they grudge their services, when they shall behold the Lord Jesus reigning in his millennial glory; and still less, when they shall see the full and entire fruit of their labours in the heavenly world! Let those, then, who engage in the service of their Lord, whether in the contracted circle of a single parish, or in the more enlarged sphere of a mission to the heathen, contemplate the benefit which may be hoped to arise from their labours; and that, not at the first moment of their exertions, but at a more remote period, when perhaps a “little one, whom they shall have begotten to the Lord, shall have become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation [Note: Isa_60:22. N. B. If this be the subject of a Mission Sermon, this thought must be enlarged.].” Let every one that is engaged in this blessed work gladly “do all things, and suffer all things for the elect’s sake, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory [Note: 2Ti_2:10.].” And if only they be permitted to sow the seed, let them remember, that the day is coming, “when they who sowed, and they who reaped, shall rejoice together [Note: Joh_4:36.].”]
3. How happy are they who truly believe in Christ!
[The same things has God decreed respecting you, as concerning his dear Son; and on the same grounds does he assure them to you. Like the Saviour himself, you shall be hated and despised of men: but, like him, you shall triumph over all your enemies, and be exalted to thrones of glory [Note: Rev_3:21.]. Even “Satan himself,” with all the principalities and powers of hell, “shall be bruised under your feet shortly [Note: Rom_16:20.]” — — — And would you be certified of this? Know, that “God has chosen you to salvation [Note: 2Th_2:13.],” and “promised you eternal life [Note: Tit_1:2. 1Jn_2:25.].” And who shall set aside his purpose? Who shall make his promises of no effect? Look forward, then, to the issue of your present conflicts. Let it be a light matter in your eyes to be an object of scorn and derision to ungodly men: (rather rejoice that you are permitted so to resemble your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ [Note: 1Pe_4:13.]:) and look forward to the same blessed recompence as he himself received. “He, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God [Note: Heb_12:2.]:” so do ye also expect assuredly, that, if you are conformed to him in sufferings, you shall also be conformed to him in glory: for “if you suffer with him, you shall, as sure as God is true, reign with him also in glory for ever and ever [Note: 2Ti_2:11-12.].”]