When Will Christ Receive His Kingdom? by O. A. JOHNSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1916

When Will Christ Receive His Kingdom?

By O. A. JOHNSON

O. A. JOHNSON

Christ is now a priest-king, and sits upon his Father’s throne as an associate ruler with his Father during the reign of the kingdom of grace. This reign of grace will end when probation closes. Then, and not till then, will the kingdoms of this world be given to Christ; and of his reign there will be no end. But as this has been clearly set forth by abler writers, we will let them speak.

In a work on the judgment, published by the Pacific Press, pages 100, 101, this subject is presented concisely and clearly, as follows:—

“The relation of these two thrones to the work of our Lord is very important to be understood. As a priest after the order of Melchizedek, who was both priest and king (Gen. 14: 18-20; Ps. 110: 1, 4; Heb. 7: 1-3), the Saviour has had a joint rule with his Father upon the throne of the universe. Zech. 6: 12, 13. His office of priest-king continues till his Father makes his enemies his footstool. Then he delivers up the kingdom which he has shared with his Father to him alone, that God may be all in all. 1 Cor. 15: 24-28. His reign upon the throne of his Father ends with all his enemies being given to him for destruction.

“The throne given him when his priesthood ends is that which he inherits as David’s heir. On that throne he shall reign over the immortal saints for endless ages. Luke 1: 32, 33; Isa. 9: 6, 7. Upon the throne of the Father he had a joint rule as priest-king; upon his own throne his people have a joint rule with him. The first ends, that God may be all in all; the second is a reign that shall continue forever.”

Uriah Smith in his comment on Dan. 7: 13, 14, has the following note on this subject:—

“The scene here described is not the second advent of Christ to this earth, unless the Ancient of days is on this earth; for it is a coming to the Ancient of days. There, in the presence of the Ancient of days, a kingdom, dominion, and glory are given him. The Son of man receives his kingdom before his return to this earth. (See Luke 19: 10-12 and onward.) This is a scene, therefore, which transpires in the heavenly temple, and is closely connected with that brought to view in verses 9 and 10. He receives the kingdom at the close of his priestly work in the sanctuary.”—“Daniel and the Revelation,” p. 156.

Mrs. E. G. White speaks as follows of the investigative judgment, of the bride and the marriage, of the time when Christ receives the kingdom, and of the order of these events:—

“The investigative judgment is clearly represented as taking place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the guests,—to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. He who is found wanting is cast out, but all who upon examination are seen to have the wedding garment on, are accepted of God, and accounted worthy of a share in his kingdom and a seat upon his throne. This work of examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of God, is that of the investigative judgment, the closing work in the sanctuary above.”—“The Great Controversy,” p. 428.

“In the parable, when the bridegroom came, ‘they that were ready went in with him to the marriage.’ The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view, takes place before the marriage. The marriage represents the reception by Christ of his kingdom. The holy city, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called ‘the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ Said the angel to John, ‘Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’”—Id., p. 426.

“Not until his work as a mediator shall be ended, will God ‘give unto him the throne of his father David,’ a kingdom of which ‘there shall be no end.’”—Id., p. 416.

In her comment on Dan. 7: 13, 14, Sister White says:—

“The coming of Christ here described is not his second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of days in heaven to receive dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, which will be given him at the close of his work as a mediator.”—Id., pp. 479, 480.

College Place, Wash.