Christ, Our King

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. (Lk. 1:32-33)

Question 25: How does Christ execute the office of a king?
Answer: Christ executes 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.

When God made a covenant with David, part of what God promises him is that he will establish the throne of his son forever (2 Sam. 7:12-13).  We know this promise is not fulfilled in Solomon, as Solomon dies, as do all the rest of David's descendants.  All except one.  Throughout his book, Matthew refers to Jesus as the son of David more times than any other New Testament writer.  He goes to great lengths to show that Jesus is the legitimate heir to the throne of David.  Not only this but when the angel appears to Mary in Luke 1:31, he says to her that the child she is carrying "will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."  Thus, Jesus comes to establish the throne of David and to rule over his kingdom forever.  He is the king of his people, however, not only in that he reigns upon the throne of David, but in Revelation 6:10 we hear the voice of those who have been slain for their faith shouting to Christ, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"  The answer comes in Revelation 19, "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.  He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.  And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.  From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.  On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords" (vv.11-16).  Christ, our King, will someday return and avenge the blood of his people.  In the end--God wins.