647. REV 11:15. THE UNIVERSAL REIGN OF CHRIST
Rev_11:15. The Universal Reign of Christ
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever."’97Rev_11:15.
This world was made by and for Christ. He was the Logos by whom all things were made, whether they be things in heaven, or things on earth, Col_1:16, Col_1:17. He made it to be the theatre of his goodness’97the place of the especial manifestations of his power, and wisdom, and love. By the introduction of sin it became rebellious, and revolted from its rightful owner. Satan, the usurper, established his tyrannical and wicked dominion over it; and under his hellish control it has been the scene of crime, and pollution, and woe, and death; and one immense yawning passage has been opened from it to the horrible regions of despair and of everlasting woe. But Divine mercy has appeared on its behalf; a system of renovation has been set up; and its ultimate destiny is one of universal righteousness, peace, and glory.
The text prophetically anticipates the period when angelic voices shall make the courts of heaven to reverberate with loud hallelujahs, and when the burden of the song shall be’97"The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever."
I. Briefly glance at the present condition of the kingdoms of this world.
II. What the statement of the text involves.
III. The certainty of its realization.
IV. The claims which this subject has upon the friends of the Saviour.
I. Let us briefly glance at the present condition of the kingdoms of the world.
1. Many of these kingdoms are totally enveloped in Pagan darkness and superstition.
Idolatry of the grossest description prevails. Imaginary deities of gold, silver, iron, brass, wood, and clay, are adored and worshipped. Animals and vegetables are deified. Demon vengeance is deprecated, and demon mercy supplicated. Some of these kingdoms have a moral darkness resting on them, as dense and fearful as that of Egypt.
2. Many of these kingdoms are in a state of servile debasement to the power of the false prophet.
Mohammed is their only Saviour’97the Koran their only polar star’97delusion their only solace. There waves the crescent, not the cross. There triumphs impurity, commingled with superstitious rites, not Christian intelligence and purity.
3. Many of these kingdoms are spellbound by the influence of corrupt forms of religion.
How true this is of Papal nations, where Antichrist reigns, and where the "Mother of harlots" sways her corrupt influence without let or hinderance. The picture is little brighter in reference to the gross superstitions of the Greek Church, and her pompous array of unmeaning ceremonies.
4. In the most enlightened nations, where a purer form of Christianity prevails, practical iniquity abounds.
Look at so-called Christian Britain, which is the literal Goshen of religious privileges; yet, what profanity! what intemperance! what sensuality! what contempt of God! what disregard of sabbaths and ordinances! what infidelity! what crime, and moral degradation and misery! How few are really walking in the narrow path of spiritual purity; and how densely crowded the broad way of death! Not more than two hundred millions of the human race know any thing correctly of God, or Divine revelation; while from six to eight hundred millions are perishing for lack of scriptural knowledge. We proceed to show,
II. What the statement of the text involves.
1. The universal diffusion of Divine knowledge.
That the beams of gospel-day shall illumine every nation, and people, and tongue; that all men shall know the Lord, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, Jer_31:34; and that the darkness of ignorance and error shall be banished from the face of the wide earth.
2. That all false systems of religion shall be overthrown.
That the idols of the heathen shall be given "to the moles and to the bats," Isa_2:20; that, from Juggernaut to the smallest household god, they shall all be abandoned and abhorred; that the long reign of Polytheism shall come to an entire, universal, and eternal end.
3. Corrupt forms of Christianity shall be annihilated.
That Antichrist shall fall to rise no more; that the clay of human inventions shall be separated from the gold and the silver; that the wood, hay, and stubble, shall be consumed by the mouth of the Lord; and that the one foundation of hope only shall be known, even Jesus Christ.
4. The universal surrender of every heart to love and obey the Lord Jesus Christ.
Religion is ever personal; and it is only when all the persons of a kingdom are pious, that such a kingdom, in reality, becomes the kingdom of Christ; so that all men, of all kingdoms, must personally know and believe in Jesus Christ, before the sublime and holy consummation of the text can be fully accomplished. Observe, then,
III. The certainty of its realization. This cannot be reasonably doubted, when you consider,
1. That all kingdoms are in reality the right of the Lord Jesus.’97His right as their Creator, their Governor, and Benefactor; but expressly by their redemption through his infinitely precious blood.
2. The terms of the Divine covenant assure it. Jesus is to see of the travail of his soul until he is satisfied, Isa_53:11. All flesh are to see his salvation, Luk_3:6. "And men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed," Psa_72:17.
3. We are directed, on the highest authority, to pray and labor for it. "Thy kingdom come!" Mat_6:10. "Prayer also shall be made for him continually, and daily shall he be praised," Psa_72:15. "And this gospel of she kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come," Mat_24:14, etc. "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together," Isa_40:5. "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth," Psa_72:8. We reason,
4. From the achievements of the past. Greater difficulties do not impede the course of Divine truth; viler hearts do not remain to be converted and sanctified. The untold myriads of the saved of past generations, as the first fruits, indicate with certainty the general harvest of the universal family of man. Now, these, with the promises of the eternal and unchangeable Jehovah, place the subject beyond all doubt and disputation.
IV. The claims which this subject has upon all the friends of the Saviour.
1. It demands their solemn consideration. A world to be saved! An all-sufficient Saviour’97a universal gospel’97an efficient Spirit’97a God delighting in the exercise of his clemency and love.
2. It demands our fervent prayers. O pray for the heathen! Pray that Providence may open effectual doors of usefulness, and afford facilities for Christian missions, etc. That God would raise up more laborers, and send them forth into his vineyard. That God would smile on the efforts employed; especially that he would shower down the gracious influences of his Spirit on the Church.
3. It demands our individual influence. Plead for missions’97collect for missions’97give to missions: and do all these heartily and liberally, and with persevering constancy and devotedness of heart.
4. It demands a revival of pure religion in the churches at home. We want more light, and more purity, and more moral power, and more of the mind of our Divine Master: more zeal for God’s glory, and more pity for a dying world. Who will enter on this hallowed crusade? Who will rally round the standard of mercy? Who will labor for Christ and for souls? "Who will consecrate himself this day unto the Lord?" O think of the final issue’97the universal triumph of truth, and love, and mercy! O anticipate the day when the song shall be sung, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever." Amen.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS