Ⅲ
God is the King of the ages, the One with absolute authority for eternity, who never changes—1 Tim. 1:17:
A
The God in whom we believe and whom we serve and who is being dispensed into us is the King of the ages, the King of eternity—v. 17; 2 Cor. 13:14.
B
Christ was born to be the King, a Ruler who will shepherd God’s people, and He is now the King of kings and the Lord of lords—Matt. 2:2, 6; Rev. 19:16; 17:14:
１
As the King, Christ is Jehovah God, and He is also a man—Psa. 24:8, 10.
２
We need to realize that Christ is our King reigning in our hearts and recognize the kingship of Christ in the local churches, where we live under His kingship—Eph. 3:17; 1 Tim. 3:15; 6:15.
３
Christ will come as the King of glory—Jehovah of hosts, the consummated Triune God embodied in the victorious and coming Christ, who will reign in God’s eternal kingdom—Psa. 24:7-10.
４
Christ’s ruling on the throne of David over His kingdom will be first in the millennium and then in the new heaven and new earth for eternity—Isa. 9:7; Luke 1:33, footnote 1.
５
“Then will a throne be established in lovingkindness, / And upon it One will sit in truth / In the tent of David”—Isa. 16:5:
ａ
Christ’s reigning in the tent of David signifies consolation, encouragement, and restoration.
ｂ
Christ’s throne will be established in lovingkindness, tender affection, and He will sit on His throne in truth, that is, in truthfulness and faithfulness—v. 5.
ｃ
If we allow Christ to reign in us, bringing in the kingdom with lovingkindness, truthfulness, faithfulness, justice, and righteousness, we will become the same as He is in these virtues—v. 5.
Morning Nourishment
1 Tim. 1:17 Now to the King of the ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.Isa. 16:5 Then will a throne be established in lovingkindness, and upon it One will sit in truth in the tent of David, judging and pursuing justice and hastening righteousness.
In 1 Timothy 1:17…“ages” actually means eternity. This word needs to be understood in relation to the decline of the church. When Paul was in prison, the churches began to decline, and the situation was very disappointing. Many were discouraged. Even some of Paul’s co-workers left him. But he had a strong faith with an absolute assurance that the very God in whom he believed, the One who had entrusted him with the gospel of glory, is the King of the ages, the One with the absolute authority for eternity, who never changes. No earthly king can be called the King of the ages….The God whom Paul served truly is the King of the ages, the King of eternity. The One whom we serve and who is being dispensed into us is the King of the ages. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 51-52)
Today’s Reading
According to Isaiah 16:5, the all-inclusive Christ is the King reigning in the tent of David. We may wonder what this aspect of Christ has to do with us since Christ will reign as a king in the tent of David in the coming age during the restoration of the nation of Israel. We need to realize, however, that we can also enjoy Christ as the reigning One in the tent of David in the age of grace.We have to realize that, according to Hebrews 6:5, the age of grace, the New Testament age, is a foretaste of the coming age….Thus, what we are enjoying today is a foretaste of the coming kingdom in the age of restoration.
Thus, today we have to realize that Christ is our King. He reigns not only in our hearts but also in the tent of David. In the Old Testament, when the tent of David was setup, when David’s kingdom was fully established, that was a great consolation and joy to the Israelites. In the coming age, when Christ reigns in the tent of David, that will be a greater consolation to Israel. Christ reigning in the tent of David signifies consolation, encouragement, and restoration…. For Him to reign in us in the tent of David means that He reigns in us with a kingdom.
[Isaiah 16:5 says that] Christ’s throne will be established in lovingkindness. Lovingkindness means tender affection. All of us can approach His throne because lovingkindness is there. Christ sits upon His throne in truth. Truth here means truthfulness and faithfulness. Christ is not only loving and kind but also truthful and faithful. He is the worthy One. As the One sitting upon the throne in the tent of David, He is the real David. He judges and pursues justice. To judge is to adjust and correct in order to make peace. Christ is the unique Judge in the whole universe. In our natural being, we do not treat others justly. The husbands do not treat the wives in justice, nor do the wives treat the husbands in justice. But Christ is perfectly just with everyone and pursues justice in all of His judgments. He is also the One hastening righteousness. Isaiah 16:5 shows that with Christ there is lovingkindness, truthfulness, faithfulness, justice, and righteousness. Today Christ reigns in us in the tent of David, bringing in the kingdom with lovingkindness, truthfulness, faithfulness, justice, and righteousness. If we are under His ruling, His reigning, we will be the same as He is in these virtues.
When Christ reigns in the millennium, even the brightest things “will be ashamed” [Isa. 24:23]. But even today we can enjoy Christ reigning in us as a foretaste of His reign in the coming age. (Life-study of Isaiah, pp. 283-285)
Further Reading: The Conclusion of the New Testament, msgs. 5, 366; Life-study of Isaiah, msg. 41; CWWL, 1959, vol. 3, “Ten Lines in the Bible,” ch. 10