How doth Christ execute the office of king?
Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling, and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Proofs
- Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, (Acts 15:14–16)
- in ruling, (Isaiah 33:22)
- and defending us, (Isaiah 32:1–2)
- and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies. (1 Corinthians 15:25; Psalm 110 throughout)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is Christ a King?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: There is another King, one Jesus, (Acts 17:7)
Doth Christ execute the kingly office?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The government shall be upon his shoulder, (Isaiah 9:6)
And is he duly qualified so to do?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He is the Lamb with seven horns, and seven eyes, (Revelation 5:6)
Is he King as Mediator?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He hath authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man, (John 5:27)
And is his mediatorial government founded upon the performance of his mediatorial engagements?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, therefore God hath highly exalted him, (Philippians 2:8)
Section 2
Is Christ a powerful king?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: All power is given to him both in heaven and earth, (Matthew 28:18)
Is he a merciful king?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He is meek and having salvation, (Zechariah 9:9)
Is he a universal king?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He is Governor among the nations, (Psalm 22:28)
Is he a righteous king?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: A king shall reign in righteousness, (Isaiah 32:1)
And is he a rightful one?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Unto him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, (Daniel 7:14)
Should we then submit to his authority?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Take my yoke upon you, (Matthew 11:29)
Section 3
Is Christ in an especial manner the King of saints?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints, (Revelation 15:3)
Are such naturally the subjects of another kingdom?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Other Lords besides thee have had the dominion over us, (Isaiah 26:13)
But are they in due time rescued and delivered?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered, (Isaiah 49:25)
And doth Christ govern those whom he hath thus subdued?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For out of thee shall come a governor that shall rule my people Israel, (Matthew 2:6)
Section 4
Is Christ king over the church?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Is not the Lord in Zion, is not the King in her, (Jeremiah 8:19)
Doth he enact laws there?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, (Matthew 28:20)
Doth he commission officers?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He gave some apostles and some prophets, (Ephesians 4:11)
And does he resent the introduction of any thing without his authority?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: In their setting their threshold by my threshold, and their post by my post, they have defiled my holy name, (Ezekiel 43:8)
Section 5
Doth Christ as a King preserve his subjects?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We are preserved in Christ Jesus, (Jude 1)
And protect them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As birds flying so he defends Jerusalem, (Isaiah 31:5)
And punish their faults?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Whom he loveth he chasteneth, (Hebrews 12:6)
And reward their faithful services?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: His reward is with him, (Revelation 22:12)
Section 6
Doth Christ exercise his kingly power in restraining his enemies?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, (Isaiah 37:29)
And in subduing them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He hath spoiled principalities and powers, (Colossians 2:15)
And in destroying them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He will break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel, (Psalm 2:9)
Will the conquest of the saints’ enemies be gradual?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I will drive them out by little and little, (Exodus 23:30)
But will it be total?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet, (1 Corinthians 15:25)