God Promised a Righteous Lord
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Key Verse: “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Selected Scripture: |
GOD’S GREATEST GIFT TO the dying race of mankind was promised during Old Testament times—the coming of his only begotten son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who presented himself to the nation of Israel as their king during his First Advent.
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” (Isa. 9:2,3) Our Lord was the light of the world during his personal ministry in Galilee. Throughout the Gospel Age, his consecrated followers have been representatives of that same light by showing forth the promise of the kingdom of righteousness in which the present conditions of sin, sickness, suffering, and death will be eradicated. Except for the members of Christ’s church, however, the nation of Israel and virtually the entire world of mankind, under the influence of Satan, have been blinded to the glorious prospect of salvation resulting from the faithfulness of our Savior in sacrificing his human life at Calvary.—II Cor. 4:4; Heb. 2:9
Throughout history, mankind has been oppressed by the weight of sin and unrighteousness existing in society. Relief from this burden, however, must wait until the completion of the bride of Christ, who will be exalted to reign with the Lord when the kingdom of righteousness commences.
“We know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Rom. 8:22,23) Through the use of symbolic language, the Bible indicates that all evil institutions will be destroyed and mankind will be purged from the vestiges of error by the righteous rule of Christ that will be in operation during God’s kingdom.—Isa. 9:5
Our Key Verse describes the many titles associated with Christ and his body, who will be coworkers with him in establishing the laws and regulations that will be in operation during that reign of righteousness. Surely, such titles as “Wonderful,” “Counsellor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” and “Prince of Peace,” should invoke excitement in us as we anticipate the soon establishment of this kingdom.
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (vs. 7) God has been the architect of this wonderful plan of salvation, even though Christ Jesus has been the honored agent for carrying out the Father’s eternal purpose. When this glorious arrangement has been completed, all the honor and praise will reside with the eternal Creator.—I Cor. 15:24-28