The Setting Up of the Everlasting Kingdom
By L. A. S.
ONE of the most common, and at the same time most plainly unscriptural, errors entertained by Christian people of this time, is the idea that the prayer “Thy kingdom come” is to be answered through the conversion of the world. The kingdoms of this world, it is said, are to be merged into the kingdom of Christ. Much effort toward the reform of existing conditions in governments and in society is being put forth with this end in view. Much talk of “civic righteousness” is prompted by it. Much is expected to be accomplished toward it by act of the legislature. Society is to be legislated into a better state of being, the world is to become better year by year, the millennial age is soon to dawn, and the kingdoms of this world are to flow together into the kingdom of Christ, as the rivers flow into the sea. Such is the almost universal belief. Even the disciples of old were in grave error regarding the setting up of the kingdom of Christ. They expected to see Christ seated on the throne of earthly dominion with a display of earthly power. In their conception of it they lowered the kingdom of Christ almost, if not quite, to the level of the kingdoms of the world. They made of it a kingdom set up by worldly agencies and containing many worldly elements. The Christian churches to-day are making a similar mistake. The kingdom of Christ, like the righteousness of Christ, has incorporated into it no element of the world. On this point Scripture testimony is very plain. King Nebuchadnezzar, in his dream relating to the setting up of the kingdom of God, saw a stone cut out “without hands,” which smote the image of his dream upon the feet, breaking them and the whole image in pieces, and then becoming a great mountain, filling the whole earth. But every part of the image, which represented earthly governments, was swept away like chaff, and found no abiding-place. No human hands can set up the kingdom of Christ, no human governments can be incorporated into it. The psalmist David, speaking of the time when the kingdoms of the world shall be given to Christ, says of him, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Ps. 2:9. This agrees with the testimony of Daniel in predicting a sudden and violent transition from the rule of earthly governments to the rule of Christ. Further and equally plain testimony is found in the book of Revelation. The prophet, looking down to the end of time, beheld the final scene when earth’s rightful Sovereign shall come to his purchased possession, as King of kings and Lord of lords. He saw heaven opened, and Jesus riding forth upon a white horse, followed by the armies of heaven. In his description he says: “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 wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” And further: “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him. . . . These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword7proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” Rev. 19:11-21. In the light of these Scriptures no one who believes them can fail to see the utter uselessness of all effort to make the kingdoms and governments of this world like the kingdom of Christ. The gospel is not to save governments or kingdoms, but individuals. When Christ comes to set up his kingdom, all the kingdoms of the earth will be arrayed against him. No matter what so-called Christian legislators, Christian congresses, Christian lobbyists, and church federations may do for the reform of politics and of society, the final outcome will be just what the prophet has described. In the gospel, God speaks not to nations, but to persons; not to organizations of men or to men in the mass, but to individuals. Because of failure to search for and to believe the Scripture teaching on this important subject, the churches to-day are as unprepared for the coming climax in the controversy between sin and righteousness in this world, as were the disciples of old for the betrayal and crucifixion of him who they hoped would become an earthly sovereign. They are wasting their time and energies in an effort to accomplish the impossible.