Kingly Office Of Christ
Easton's Bible Dictionary [1]
Christ is King and sovereign Head over his Church and over all things to his Church ( Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18; 2:19 ). He executes this mediatorial kingship in his Church, and over his Church, and over all things in behalf of his Church. This royalty differs from that which essentially belongs to him as God, for it is given to him by the Father as the reward of his obedience and sufferings ( Philippians 2:6-11 ), and has as its especial object the upbuilding and the glory of his redeemed Church. It attaches, moreover, not to his divine nature as such, but to his person as God-man.
Christ's mediatorial kingdom may be regarded as comprehending, (1) his kingdom of power, or his providential government of the universe; (2) his kingdom of grace, which is wholly spiritual in its subjects and administration; and (3) his kingdom of glory, which is the consummation of all his providential and gracious administration.
Christ sustained and exercised the function of mediatorial King as well as of Prophet and Priest, from the time of the fall of man, when he entered on his mediatorial work; yet it may be said that he was publicly and formally enthroned when he ascended up on high and sat down at the Father's right hand ( Psalm 2:6; Jeremiah 23:5; Isaiah 9:6 ), after his work of humiliation and suffering on earth was "finished."
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
one of the three great relations which Jesus sustains to his people, namely, as prophet, priest, and king, and to which he was solemnly inaugurated at his baptism by John. (See Anointing). It is by virtue of this that he became head of the Church, which is the sphere of his realm. (See Kingdom Of God). This is that spiritual, evangelical, and eternal empire to which he himself referred when interrogated before Pontius Pilate, and in reference to which he said, " My kingdom is not of this world" ( John 18:36-37). His empire, indeed, extends to every creature, for " all authority is committed into his hands, both in heaven and on earth," and he is " head over all things to the Church;" but his kingdom primarily imports the Gospel Church, which is the subject of his laws, the seat of his government, and the object of his care, and, being surrounded with powerful opposers, he is represented as ruling in the midst of his enemies. This kingdom is not of a worldly origin or nature, nor has it this world for its end or object ( Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 4:20). It can neither be promoted nor defended by worldly power, influence, or carnal weapons, but by bearing witness unto the truth, or by the preaching of the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven ( 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Its establishment among men is progressive, but it is destined at last to fill the whole earth (Daniel 2; Revelation 11:15). Its real subjects are only those who are of the truth, and hear Christ's voice; for none can enter it but such as are born from above ( John 3:3-5; Matthew 18:3; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:15), nor can any be visible subjects of it but such as appear to be regenerated by a credible profession of faith and obedience ( Luke 16:16; Matthew 20:28-34). Its privileges and immunities are not of this world, but such as are spiritual and heavenly; they are all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ Jesus ( Ephesians 1:3). Over this glorious kingdom death has no power; it extends as well to the future as the present world; and though entered here by renewing grace ( Colossians 1:13), it is inherited in its perfection in the world of glory ( Matthew 25:34; 1 Corinthians 15:50; 2 Peter 1:11). Hypocrites and false brethren may indeed insinuate themselves into it here, but they will have no possible place in it hereafter ( Matthew 13:41; Matthew 13:47-50; Matthew 22:11-14; Luke 13:28-29; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21; Revelation 21:27). Its rule is one of love (Tholuck, Sermon On The Mount, I, 103). (See Office Of Christ).
