The Flipside of Establishing the Kingdom - Digging Into the Psalms

Photo courtesy Stockxchng/danjaeger

The earth and everything on it belongs to God. This also means humanity is under the ownership of God. The last post, Establishing the Kingdom, presented the positive part of the ownership of the earth and everything on it being promised to Christ. Today, we deal with the "flipside" of the promise of the establishment of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.


Psalm 2:8  (KJV) reads, "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."


The positive side of this is the Kingdom of heaven is preached to all humanity in all nations. The positive side of Christ possessing all parts of earth is the New Jerusalem, adorned for Christ and his Bride, the Church. Psalm 2:9 (KJV) brings our attention to another side of Christ possessing the earth. It reads:


"Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel."


This verse clearly states there's another side to Christ taking possession of the Kingdom. We know, as believers, that we will be corrected by God when we step into disobedience. Yes, we come to Christ as broken vessels to be mended. Yet this is more than a rod of correction. It's a statement of destruction to those who willingly reject Christ.


It should be obvious that a potter's vessel is something made of clay. Go ahead and hit a ceramic object with an iron bar. Psalm 2:9 is saying Christ will one day strike the heathen with an object of punishment, and will break them into pieces like an iron bar will smash a ceramic jar into pieces.


"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war (Revelation 19:11 KJV)."


This one who is Faithful and True is the same one who is speaking in Psalm 2:7-9. This one is called the Word of God (Revelation 19:13, John 1:1). His name is Jesus, the Christ, the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).


But let's back up one verse to Revelation 19:15 and we'll see the fulfillment of Psalm 2:9. It reads:


"And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."


The time is coming when God will pour his wrath on all the nations, the heathen, those who willingly disobey his commandments. Those who refuse now will one day bend their knees and confess Christ as Lord (Romans 14:11, Isaiah 45:23). We can do it now willingly, or we'll do it in the end under the rod of iron.


Fortunately today we still have the choice, and I close with this appeal:


"Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast (Isaiah 26:20 KJV)."


Come to Christ and let the shadow of his wings cover you. Rest in the safety of his arms until the day of wrath be past. God bless...