以賽亞書9章6-7節:「 因有一嬰孩為我們而生;有一子賜給我們。政權必擔在他的肩頭上;他名稱為『奇妙策士、全能的 神、永在的父、和平的君』。他的政權與平安必加增無窮。他必在大衛的寶座上治理他的國,以公平公義使國堅定穩固,從今直到永遠。萬軍之耶和華的熱心必成就這事。」早在兩千七百多年前,耶穌出生的七百年前,先知就已經預言基督將要作王,並且掌管全地到永遠。耶穌第一次降臨在世上的時候,他雖然沒有成就這個預言,但是他對彼拉多這麼說:「你說我是王。我為此而生,也為此來到世間,特為給真理作見證。凡屬真理的人就聽我的話。」(約18:37)耶穌清楚地知道自己的命定,因此雖然即將上十字架,祂卻依然堅定地宣告自己的身份。
而耶穌昇天幾十年之後,使徒約翰領受了啟示錄的異象,啟示錄11章15節:「第七位天使吹號,天上就有大聲音說:世上的國成了我主和主基督的國;他要作王,直到永永遠遠。」所以我們的盼望不是在這個世界,而是在將要來掌權到永遠的基督耶穌裡。詩篇45篇6節:「 神啊,你的寶座是永永遠遠的;你的國權是正直的。」
Isaiah 9:6-7 reads: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name 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, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” For over two thousand and seven hundred years ago, which was seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, the prophet had prophesied that Christ will be King, and that He will reign the whole earth forever. When Jesus first came to earth, though He didn’t fulfill the prophecy, He said these words to Pilate, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37) Jesus knew clearly His own mandate, so even though He was about to go to the cross, He still declared His own identity with no waver whatsoever.
And several decades after Jesus ascended to heaven, Apostle John received the vision of Revelation; Revelation 11:15 reads, “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'” Therefore, our hope is not in this world, but in the soon and coming Christ Jesus who will reign forever. “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” (Psalm 45:6)
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