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THE KINGDOM OF JESUS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 21, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 21.

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THE KINGDOM OF JESUS

By P. M. Howe

P. M. HOWE (Chatham, Ontario)
In these last days, when the closing history of the nations is being rapidly made, all eyes are turned to the various kingdoms, monarchies, and republics, watching every movement with intense interest. We read in the book of Revelation that just before the end, all who dwell upon the earth will wonder, except those whose names are recorded in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, when they see certain developments that result from the concerted action of all the nations.
The whole world has been, and is even yet, looking for deliverance from trouble between the nations of this earth; but alas for their hopes! For a short time, they wonder, then they go down to destruction in the mighty wreck, and only those are saved who have secured a name and citizenship in a better kingdom, eternal in the heavens.
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”
This Michael, whom Daniel prophesies of as a deliverer, is the Jesus that Pilate called the king of the Jews. The same Michael said: “My kingdom is not of this world.” Although here in this world, He was the same Prince and King that had created the earth, which men had parceled out in kingdoms.
We have read of great kings and kingdoms, but no king was ever so great, so good, or so kind as Jesus; and no part of this world has been made so beautiful as to compare with the beauty of the kingdom of Jesus.
We read of the beauty of Jerusalem of old; of Babylon with its two-leaved gates of brass, and its mighty walls, its palaces, and its hanging gardens, one of the wonders of the world; but of the Jerusalem above, the mother of us all, the writer of the Apocalypse says: “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.”
The glory that the prophet saw was grand beyond the power of human language to describe,—walls, great and high, all of jasper, with foundations marvelous in beauty of color; gates of pearls, with the name of one of the twelve tribes upon each gate; the streets of gold, as clear as crystal.
Nearly eighteen hundred years ago, the King of that country and kingdom came here to look after this world, which was lost; and although He was its Creator and King, and had come to save it, the world rejected Him, refusing to have Him for a king. He at last told those who received Him, and thus became the sons of God, that He would go and prepare a place for them in His Father’s house, where there are many mansions, and then would come again to receive them unto himself, that where He is, they may be also.
He has gone. He went many years ago. Will He come again?—Oh, yes; He is coming soon, to destroy all the nations of this wicked, rebellious world, and to take to their own home the strangers and pilgrims who wander here.
The lakes, seas, and oceans of this world, with all their fine harbors, are not to be compared to the sea of glass, where the one hundred and forty-four thousand will stand, having the harps of God, and singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb.
We read of the wisdom and knowledge, the literary attainments of earthly rulers; but what ruler was ever so wise as Jesus, in whom God has hid all the treasures of wisdom? What king is there so wonderful in knowledge that he knows all the stars by number and by name? Ps. 147:4. In Jesus only is hid such wisdom. All the wisdom of man is foolishness with Him; for by the power of His word He upholds all the worlds. “Ask of me,” says the psalmist, singing of Jesus, “and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” Then will the kings and kingdoms of the world remain?—No, even now they are weak and crumbling to dust, ready to pass away. “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” As we read about great men, and their attainments in literary knowledge and science “so-called,” though they be peasants, princes, or kings, let us not fail to study Jesus, the lowly one, in whom is the fountain of all wisdom. He is our King in whatever country we may be dwelling. The fear of Him is the beginning of wisdom. He established the school of the prophets of old, and would found many more all over the earth if men would only learn of Him. His kingly rule is not to be confined to a little place like America, England, or Sweden; for He made the world itself. His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Saviour, Prince, Priest, and King.
It is good to learn about this earth and its great kingdoms; but we seek “a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Let us make haste to have our names “written there,” so that when all these earthly kingdoms are dissolved, we may be translated with the faithful of the ages, who, like their King, have had no real abiding place in this earth, but have laid up their treasures above, where Christ, their King, sits upon the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high.