The throne of a kingdom is synonymous with the power of that kingdom. The kingdom of which Isaiah speaks here is one which establishes the power of the LORD JESUS CHRIST in the revelation of the mercy of GOD. The LORD is indeed a KING over all the earth by reason of HIS sovereign rule. Yet, the establishment of this Kingdom is the exact Empire which is prophesied by the prophets and which the LORD JESUS came to set up and rule.
All kingdoms of the earth can be defined by certain characteristics which make them unique. The Egyptian kingdoms were set apart by the colossal nature of their monuments as is witnessed by the pyramids and the Sphinx. The Greeks were more refined as attests their fine architecture, which is still copied today, along with their quest after philosophy and learning. The Romans developed an unmatched empire which encompassed nearly the entire known world at the time. The English reaped the riches of the world through their vast colonization. Each one of the kings of Israel was unique in one way or another.
The same can surely be said about that Kingdom which the LORD JESUS CHRIST came into the world to establish. The chief characteristic of it was revealed as angels appeared to some shepherds on a Judean hillside and heralded this message, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:10-14)
This Kingdom of the LORD JESUS CHRIST is one which abounds with mercy. The GOD of heaven and Earth was under no obligation or necessity to do anything to effect the salvation of mankind, yet it pleased HIM to do so, that HE might bring glory to CHRIST in the magnification and manifestation of HIS mercy to wicked men, worthy of destruction. Though the LORD had plainly revealed HIS mercy in times past in HIS dealings with Israel, it is in the unveiling of CHRIST as the SAVIOR of the world that HE demonstrated that the objects of HIS mercy were not simply the descendants of Jacob but rather a people which HE had chosen out of every nation, tribe and tongue. Thus, the angels said, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
This was a declaration of the revealed purpose of GOD to show mercy to unworthy sinners. Clearly it was the announcement of the fulfillment of all of the promises which HE had made by the prophets in times past. This was no prophecy, nor promise which must await its fulfillment as the ages roll on. No this was a pronouncement quite unlike any that HE had ever made before. This is the same declaration of mercy that is manifested every time that the gospel of the glory of the blessed GOD is proclaimed in the earth.
The Kingdom of CHRIST is established in mercy because it is the prerogative of a KING to dispense HIS favor as HE sees fit. HE told Moses, “I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” (Exo 33:19) The vast majority of preachers, in our day, completely disregard this clear revelation of the sovereign dispensing of mercy and make the obtaining of mercy to be a result of the operation of man’s free will. They picture GOD as ONE who becomes obligated to show mercy by the activities of men. How foolish to consider that GOD “must” do anything but fulfill HIS own purpose. GOD shows mercy to men according to HIS purpose. HE will do right, HE may show mercy. “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Rom 9:16)
The Kingdom of CHRIST is established in mercy, because it is mercy alone that can give a sinner eyes to see his ruined condition and the absolute sufficiency of the atoning work of CHRIST to settle his debt and make him free. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:4-7)
The Kingdom of CHRIST is established in mercy, as HE completely satisfied the demands of a broken law and absolutely fulfilled that law in every jot and tittle. The sons of GOD had no righteousness to bring before HIM, since each is a sinner worthy of death. “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7)
The Kingdom of CHRIST is established in mercy as HE is pleased to give HIS people hope. This hope is an evidence of life for the dead have no hope. “For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.” (Isa 38:18) That which is seen by the carnal eye is temporary but hope looks beyond the present moment and desires that which is eternal. “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Rom 8:24-25)
The Kingdom of CHRIST is established in mercy because it does also please the LORD to give HIS people the fruition and fulfillment of that hope to some degree even in the present time though it be seen through a glass darkly. “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.” (Psa 33:18) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1Peter 1:3)
The Kingdom of CHRIST is established in mercy each time the LORD is pleased to send one to preach the everlasting gospel (see Rev.14:6) to the ruined sinners of this world. “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom 10:12-15)
The Kingdom of CHRIST is established in mercy each time HE is pleased to call a sinner to HIMSELF according to the riches of HIS grace. “But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mat 9:13) “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)
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