About Jesus  -  Steve Sweetman

The Eternal Throne Of David

Isaiah 9:6 and 7 read as follows:

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders … of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end … He will reign on David's throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever …"

King David ruled the tribe of Judah from 1010 BC to 1003 BC and then ruled all of Israel from 1003 BC to around 970 to 965 BC.  Two hundred plus years later the prophet Isaiah predicted that a Jewish Messiah would establish an eternal kingdom and rule from David's throne again.  Judaism, thus, adopted a Messianic theology that looked forward to the day when their Messiah would free Israel from Gentile domination.  Christians understand this Messiah to be the Lord Jesus Christ.  Orthodox Jews are still waiting for their Messiah.     

The angel Gabriel confirmed what Isaiah predicted when he told Mary that she would give a miracle baby who would be the Jewish Messiah.  Gabriel also told Mary that her Son would be given the throne of His father David and He would reign over the house of Jacob forever; and, His kingdom would never end.  You can read that in Luke 1:32 and 33.   

Some people confuse David's throne with the throne Jesus presently sits on in heaven.  They are two different thrones.  David's throne was a literal earthly throne in Jerusalem.  It was not the heavenly throne Jesus now rules from.  It is on this earthly throne in Jerusalem that Gabriel said Jesus would rule from.  As both Isaiah and Gabriel predicted, this Messianic throne and rule would have no end to it.  This tells me that Jesus' rule on David's throne will not end after what Prophetic Futurists call "the thousand year rule of Christ." 

Revelation 21:1 to 3 sheds a bit of light on this issue.  The text reads:

"I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away … I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God … I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling place of God is with men' …"  

Along with a new heaven and new earth, there will be a New Jerusalem.  It is there, on David's Throne, where Jesus will rule the nations.    

Something we often miss concerning the new earth is seen in Revelation 21:24 to 26.  That passage says this:

"The nations will walk by its [New Jerusalem] light and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it … the glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it."

According to this passage, there will be distinguishable nations of ethnic peoples on the new earth.  These nations will be governed by kings, not by elected officials.  I believe these kings will be appointed by Jesus from those of us who are now a "nation of kings and priests" (Revelation 5:10, 1 Peter 2:9).  These kings will bring the splendor of their nations into the New Jerusalem, which I believe is a form of worship to King Jesus. 

The eternal government of Jesus predicted in Isaiah 9:6 and 7 finds its final fulfillment on the new earth where Jesus will govern Israel and all nations.  Romans 15:12 says this:

"And again, Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.'"

The Throne of David is not the heavenly throne Jesus presently rules from.  That throne is temporary, until such time the eternal Throne of David is established.