His Government Is 9:6-7

His Government.

In this sixth and final Blog, we will look at these six (6) points:

1) He is the Governor of the Universe.

2) His Government continues to increase.

3) His Government is a government of increasing peace.

4) His Government is of David's Throne.

5) His Government is based on judgment and peace.

6) His Government originates from the zeal of the LORD.

"and the government shall be upon his shoulder: ... Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

What Government?

The Old Testament Jew and probably Christians today who hold to a dispensational understanding of the scriptures would say, the Government of the nation of Israel, and they would support that by saying "he will sit on the throne of David." However, it seems to me, that the simple straightforward meaning, based on this Government being "from hence forth even forever," and having "no end," is referring to the the eternal kingdom of Jesus: it started in eternity past, with the election of his people; it is continuing now in time, as he calls out his elect and builds the Church; and it will culminate and continue on forever into eternity in heaven. Hence his kingdom encompasses everything, ie the universe.

First note: There is a government!

Many people err at this point, thinking the universe "rules itself;" thinking that is parallel to evolutionary thought that things just came into being. But no, there is a ruler, and that ruler is Jesus Christ, he is the Head of State! He is "Lord of lords, and King of kings;" meaning he is one who is over all rulers, both seen and unseen. He has no equal.

And consider:

Governments have laws: his are the Ten Commandments

Governments have Courts: read Rev 20

Governments punish law breakers and have prisons: his is hell

Governments provide for their people, protect their people, etc etc: Jesus does all that for his people.

Governments coordinate the affairs within their realms, as does he: rulers and kings rule at his pleasure, to accomplish his purposes, to fulfill his plan! Ultimately, the nations of the world do not govern themselves: "For the kingdom (overall rule) is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations." Psa 22:28 

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Pro 21:1

Jesus Christ is ruling the temporal affairs of earth to effect one purpose, the purpose that is most important to him: the building of his church! He is the ultimate Chess Grand Master, moving the pieces, the affairs here on earth, and the affairs in the entire Universe, to effect that one purpose, making sure it happens! Praise his name that he does that; if he did not, no one would be saved, the devil would wreck havoc all over, and life on earth, would truly be hell!

Second note: His government is ever increasing.

As King, Jesus sends out his gospel heralds, missionaries, into the nations of the world, to expand his kingdom both geographically; and as people are saved, in the number of citizens in his kingdom. His is ever increasing, as he builds his church, by calling out his elect who live in those different geographical areas, ie from every kindred, tongue, tribe, and nation.

It was this "increase" that Isaiah speaks of when he says: "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:" Isa 53:11

Jesus foresaw the result of his death, the salvation of all whom the father had given to him (Jhn 17) and that increase gave him the fortitude to endure the cross.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:2 

What joy? The joy of seeing the success of his work, as his people are saved, and his church grows.

So his kingdom increases in both geographically and in the number of citizens.

Third note: His government is characterized by increasing peace.

Again shalom: prosperity, well being, etc.

The peace FROM God to men. The angels announced it to the shepherds, saying "peace on earth, good will TOWARD men."

Peace starts with Jesus: Know Christ = know peace; No Christ = no peace.

Think how peaceful life would be if all men were Christians! God is the God of peace, and so he promotes peace, FROM himself to men, which wells up within individuals, and then flows outward to others.

How this should motivate we Christians to live at peace among ourselves, so that we can bear testimony to the world for the gospel.

As Paul says: "And be at peace among yourselves." 1Th 5:13 

Forth note: His kingdom is of David's throne.

Regardless of how you view Israel's role in God's overall plan of salvation, one things is clear, the nation of Israel, starting with Abraham, had a unique role to play. They were the custodians of God's written revelation, and they were to be a pure people (blood-line), so that Christ's human lineage would be certain. The genealogies of Mat 1 and Luk 3 are very important.

As Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, "Salvation is of the Jews."

Fifth note: His Government is based on judgment and peace.

Part of establishing judgment and peace in a kingdom, is rooting out evil and promoting good.

We have looked at peace on a person level, this is kingdom peace, governmental peace. By peace is meant, God has worked out a way for his wrath against rebels to be satisfied (Jesus death). Sinners are law breakers, breakers of God's Law, and as such are in rebellion against him; it is the role of Government to punish law breakers, but God has worked out a way to escape that punishment. There is a way of salvation by which penitent sinners can have peace with God, BUT there is also a punishment for those who refuse his gracious offer of peace: hell.

He brings into his eternal heavenly kingdom those who have made peace with him, and eternally removes those who have refused to be at peace with him, by sending them to prison: hell.

"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;" 2Th 1:8-9

The gospel is to be obeyed! It is dis-honoring to God, and out-right rebellion to not believe in Jesus; and their punishment is everlasting destruction.

And that is the right for God thing to do! Heaven would not be heaven if God's enemies were there. That is one reason why all of the evil doers are removed.

"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Rev 21:27 

"For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." Rev 22:15 

Yes they are sent to hell to be punished for their sinful rebellion, but also so the heaven can be heaven: un-defiled.

Last note: God is zealous to do this.

He wants to do this! The entire plan of redemption, the covenant of grace, the way of salvation, is of God from beginning to end; actually, since it was from before the foundation of the world, and continues on into eternity with no end, IN ONE SENSE IT HAS NO BEGINNING OR END.

God is zealous to do this: it thrills him, he delights to do this, he looks forward to its completion, he is enthused about it.

I am not going to get into the question of whether God has emotions, and/or whether he is motivated by events, but Jesus was motivated to endure the cross as he looked past it, and saw the final results, the salvation of his people:

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Heb 12:2 

Knowing not one will be lost:

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." Joh 6:39 

And so sure is he of this, that it motivated Jesus to prepare a place for us, because he wants us to be there with him.

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Joh 14:2-3

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." Joh 17:24 

"And the ZEAL of the Lord shall accomplish this!"

18 June 2025