- The Davidic Covenant is recorded in the following O.T. passages:
2 Samuel 7:1-17; 1 Chronicles 17:1-27; 1 Kings 8:12-21 - 2 Samuel 7:2 – David wishes to build a temple for God’s presence. God respects David’s desires (1 King 8:18-19) but has different plans (2 Samuel 7:4-16). God reminded David that He had always dwelt among His people (v.6). This foreshadows Christ’s tabernacling among His people (John 1:14).
- 2 Samuel 7:8-9a describes the aspect of God’s sovereignty in the Davidic Covenant. All of God’s covenants have been based on His sovereignty. Indeed, the ultimate purpose of the covenants is to reveal God’s glory.
- 2 Samuel 7:8 describes the aspect of predestination in God’s plan. God has always decreed to fulfillments of His plans. His actions are never reactionary but are the outworkings of His eternal plan.
- 2 Samuel 7:9b – God declares that He will give David a great name.
God said the same thing to Abram in the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:2). Jesus who is the Messianic fulfillment of the typology of Abraham and David is said to have the greatest “name” of all. - 2 Samuel 7:10 describes the inheritance promised the Davidic Kingdom. This is the recurring theme of land and possessions. God’s elect are not citizens of this world, but belong to the land Abraham was looking for in Hebrews 11.
- 2 Samuel 7:11a describes the “peace” of the Davidic Kingdom.
Rest is found in this kingdom. Rest “in Christ” is a major theme in Hebrews.
Enemies are “bound” by God, failing to overcome this kingdom. The kingdom has real enemies, but overcoming these enemies is guaranteed. The Davidic Kingdom is not absent of wars as noted immediately in 2 Samuel 8. This issue reminds us of the description of spiritual warfare in the New Testament; though very active the “strong man” has been defeated and cannot stop the work of the Great Commission among the nations of the earth. Furthermore, citizens of the Davidic Kingdom find “rest in Christ” from the curses of sin. - 2 Samuel 7:11b-12 – God promises to build David a “house.”
Based on the Hebrew definition of bayith God is using a word play based on David’s original desire to build God a house.
Bayith means tent, house, palace, mansion, temple, and dynasty.
David says, “Lord, I want to build You a temple (bayith) because it is not right for me to be in a palace (bayith) and You dwell in a tent (bayith).”
And God responds to David saying, “David, will you build Me a temple (bayith)? No. I will build you a dynasty (bayith).”
The Lord was not speaking of building David a house of cedar. He was speaking of building David a dynasty. That is something that He has not given to Saul. Saul wanted Jonathan to sit on the throne and God told Saul that Jonathan would not sit on the throne of Israel. - 2 Samuel 7:14-15 – David’s heir will stand in unique relationship to God.
Nowhere else in the Old Testament is an individual so clearly designated a son of God. And yet that is the blessing of David’s covenant. Now, we who live under the New Covenant, and who have the precious privilege of addressing God as Father, may not be too startled by that statement, but to the Hebrew ear, it would have been unbelievable.
Furthermore, it is promised that David’s heir will persevere in faith, will have “eternal security.” David’s son will experience punishment for sins, but he will not be cast off like Saul. We are likely to read verse 14, very negatively. Look at that second phrase in verse 14, “when he commits inequity, I will correct him with the rod of men and strokes of the sons of man.” On the surface, that looks very negative. However, you need to understand that in the context of Saul’s having been cut off, so that is actually a very positive thing that is being said there.
This is a powerful foreshadowing of Christ’s penal substitutionary atonement. He suffered the Cross but was vindicated by God. In Christ, our sins have been forgiven forever and we shall never be “cut off” from God’s covenants. - 2 Samuel 7:13-16 – God makes the astonishing promise that David’s kingdom will last forever.
- The Davidic Covenant Fulfilled
A. Who is David’s Son? Solomon was the immediate fulfillment of this covenant.
Jesus is revealed as the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant in New Testament passages such as Luke 1:31-33; Acts 2:30-34; Acts 5:31-42; Romans 1:3; Hebrews 1:5.
I Chronicles 29:22-23 says that Solomon sat upon the throne of Yahweh. The throne of David is the throne of the Lord! Thus, for Christ to sit upon the throne of the Lord is to sit upon David’s throne.
Compare that truth to Acts 2:30-34 to see without any doubt that Peter declared that the Davidic Kingdom began when Jesus ascended to the throne of David at God’s right hand.
As O. Palmer Robertson says, “When the king sits on his throne, the kingdom has come.” The Jews should have listened to John the Baptist who announced that the Kingdom had come!B. What is the Temple? The Solomonic Temple was the immediate fulfillment (1 Kings 6:14). Jesus declared himself to be the true Solomonic Temple (John 2:19-22).
Thus all who are “in Christ” by faith are part of the “Body of Christ” – The Solomonic Temple.
Peter, whose name reminded him of these spiritual truths, explains in 1 Peter 2:5 that all believers are “living stones” who make up the Solomonic Temple.
The issue of the covenants being fulfilled in Christ is found through out the New Testament. For example, Galatians 3:29 declares that all believers are “in Christ” and are thus Abraham’s seed and heirs of the covenant promises as was Isaac (Galatians 4:28).
Paul asked the Corinthians if they realized that they are the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19), which is thus a clear theological concept based on the Davidic Covenant.C. Is the Davidic Kingdom really eternal? The promise was not that David would reign for a long time, but that he would reign forever. That very fact lead the prophets of the Old Testament to see that this Davidic promise would only be fulfilled in the Messiah, and that is of course exactly how the New Testament interprets it. This reign is ultimately only fulfilled in the reign of the son of David, Jesus Christ and His eternal messianic rule. Christ bore our iniquity and suffered the rod and stripes of men but was resurrected and exalted by God as was promised to David’s heir in 2 Samuel 7:14. Christ was exalted to God’s right hand after the resurrection and reigns eternally. Revelation 20:1-10 describes the present reality of the Davidic Kingdom as it is active in heaven and on earth.
D. Who has the great name? Jesus is declared to have a “name above all names” (Phil. 2:9-11). David called him the “highest of the kings of the earth” (Psalm 89:26-28).
Peter declared to the Sanhedrin that Jesus was the “rejected stone” (Psalm 118:22) and “chief cornerstone” (Isaiah 28:16) who has the only name by which we must be saved.
Thus we see all of the covenantal typology come together in Christ and his Church which consists of all believers of all ages.
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Jason Robertson is a husband and a father and a pastor. He is dedicated to leading and equipping his the Church with God’s word and biblical theology for life ministry, using a combination of pastoral, church planting and evangelism experience. He holds a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is experienced in church planting, evangelism, missions, and the training of pastors and Bible teachers.
Jason has been preaching the gospel since 1985, serving the first ten years of ministry as a Southern Baptist itinerant evangelist out of Milldale Baptist Church in Zachary, LA which ordained him in 1993. He has preached in hundreds of churches in over 30 States and 4 countries. He planted churches in Siberia, Russia in the summers of 1993 and 1994. He founded Murrieta Valley Church in California, which he planted in cooperation with the SBC NAMB in 2001. He also teaches ministry students at California Baptist University.
You can hear his sermons and read his manuscripts on sermonaudio.com. Just follow the link to "sermons" at the top of this page.
Good post and reference. Copied, pasted, and printed. Thanks!
What do you guys make of Meredith Kline vis-a-vis classical covenant theology? Could you write a post like this:
Five good things about Kline
Five not-so-good things about Kline
Just to give a sense of how covenant theologians of your particular stripe see him. I know he is probably paedo and all that, but I am referring to other things like his take on the Mosaic covenant (or his take on all the covenants) and some of the unique things he presents like in his most recent book God, Heaven and Har Magedon. Thanks.
Just like one-issue voters…
To whom it may concern,
I like your outline.
But there’s trouble in that post.
It’s a classic example of how NOT to handle the Scriptures, and it perfectly illustrates the difference between a consistently literal hermeneutic and an inconsistently literal hermeneutic.
Again, good outline. But bad stuff.
Sentinel,
We don’t mind criticism. But I find no benefit in vague criticism as yours is. So please give us your alleged proof of “inconsistent literal hermeneutic.” You make a charge that the Scripture has been handled inappropriately, but give no proof. This has been a typical response of many dispys lately. Maybe you could learn from Bret who at least tries to prove his points of disagreement.
Thanks for understanding.
Good post! I believe “christians” today are lacking a solid foundation in OT covenants and how they relate to Christ.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
I believe that time could very well be soon upon us.
Jason,
No problem. I’ll note a few of the problems in a day or so. Right now I’m swamped with “must-do’s” and can’t get to your ERRORS until then.
Have a good one!
But never too busy to make unsubstatiated claims against a brother. Hmmm.
To prepare for what the sentinel may say, I decided to do a little surfing through his blog, liver and onions.
Jason, we won’t get anything new. Just a rehash of old arguements and strawmen. What he says maybe of interest. Maybe humorous.
One thread I found humorous was linking Fred Phelps to all calvinist. Not understanding that phelps thinks only his family is elect and all others bound for hell. Another linked calvinism to catholicism, shook my head over that one. At our next reformed pastors meeting on the 20th, I will announce to the group that we have alot in common withthe Roman church. (Wonder if Calvin knew of this hidden relationship?)If I do not post again for awhile, it will be because I split my side laughing to hard.
Maybe, just maybe, we will see something new. One can hope.
Jason,
I’ve read and reread your thoughts on the Davidic Covenant, and I’m thinking you’ve had your tomatoes stewed. How anyone can equate the throne of David on earth with Christ’s present session in Heaven is more mysterious than crop circles or Tommy Knockers. Only someone blindly committed to the spiritualizing method can justify such nonsense
As I worked through your outline, I noted several minor issues we could quibble over, but for the sake of time, I’ll only address your main blunder (Point 11: The Davidic Covenant Fulfilled) for now, that is, the equating of the throne of David with Christ’s present session in Heaven or the equating of the earthly Davidic throne with the throne of the Lord in Heaven. That is the heart of your eschatological mischief and the root cause of your error. So we’ll begin there and perhaps address it with several posts.
For truth’s sake here are the reasons why the Davidic Covenant is NOT being fulfilled by Christ at present. But before we click off the reasons, we must state our issue precisely. This issue isn’t whether Christ will fulfill the Davidic Covenant; He certainly will. The issue is WHEN and HOW He will fulfill it. To answer that question, you’ve chosen a spiritualizing or inconsistent hermeneutical method; we, on the other hand, have chosen the plain or normal hermeneutic, that is, a consistent literal hermeneutic. And of course these two approaches yield two different answers: yours, which is wrong; and mine, which is right.
So far so good.
Now lets get to the reasons why your equation won’t work.
1. If the throne of David is the throne of the Lord in Heaven, then we have a problem. It is a historical fact David had several descendants sit upon his throne, yet, that we know of, only Christ has ever sat on the right hand of the throne of God in Heaven (Ps. 110:1; 1 Pet. 3:22). Now it’s clear, is it not, that if the two thrones are the same, then kings–other than the resurrected and ascended Christ–have sat at the Father’s right hand in Heaven since that is David’s throne? Can you see the problem here? Or do you believe in TWO thrones of David with TWO separate covenants? Are you awake?
2. It’s painfully clear God did not establish David’s throne until David’s lifetime. Yet God’s throne has always been (93:1,2). Now if you’re foolish enough to equate the two, then we have a problem because God’s eternal throne has always been…WHICH MEANS DAVID’S THRONE HAS ALWAYS BEEN, since they’re the same according to you; yet David’s throne is not eternal, for it finds its origin during his lifetime. I trust you see the problem, Mr. Exegete, because you’ve created a serious one. Are you awake?
3. Still further, since God’s throne is eternal (Lam. 5:19), then it was quite unnecessary for Him to promise David (and his ultimate heir, Jesus Christ) an eternal throne (2 Sam. 7:16). Why? Because it’s the only kind of throne He could promise. Note this carefully. By equating the two thrones (and changing their character and location), you make Scripture fight against itself. Only a loopy Covenantalist would miss the absurdity of this. Are you awake?
4. We find in the NT Jesus makes a careful distinction between His throne and the Father’s, a fact quite unnecessary if they were one and the same. In Revelation 3:21 Jesus says He has a throne, and it’s not the one He’s currently sitting on (a real problem for you spiritualizers). Yes, this passage presents a life-threatening problem for the A-minded Covenantalist. Let me clarify it a little more. Jesus is sitting at the Father’s right hand in Heaven, and He says in effect this is not His throne (uh-oh). And of course in this He is perfectly correct, for He was promised the Davidic throne (Lk. 1:31-33)–which is an earthly political throne, a future throne He’ll ultimately occupy.
Now since Jesus drew a sharp distinction between His throne–which is the coming Davidic throne (Lk. 1:31-33) and the Father’s throne in Heaven, should we do any less? Only someone hell-bent on overthrowing the Davidic throne with its clear promise of an ultimate Heir to sit upon it would twist this passage into a spiritualized fulfillment. Besides, if Jesus were to reign over a different kind of kingdom than David did (that is, an earthly political kingdom), then we couldn’t really say He was sitting on David’s throne and ruling over David’s kingdom, now could we? Things different are not the same. Do you see the point here? Are you awake?
[Before leaving this point, it appears, too, from Ps. 45:6,7 and Heb. 1:8 that other Biblical writers clearly recognize a distinction between the Father's throne and the Son's--a distinction quite irrelevant given your position that Christ's throne (Lk. 1:31-33) and the Father's are one and the same.]
5. It’s a Biblical fact David’s throne was on earth–and NOT in Heaven–and that he exercised its powers on earth and NOT in Heaven. In a very special sense his throne is the throne of the Lord on earth and in Jerusalem (1 Chron. 29:23; Jer. 3:17) because God (by covenant) established it. To relocate this earthly throne–with its promises all connected with the earthly kingdom and its ruler–to Heaven is unforgivable and completely undermines the Davidic Covenant. It’s amazing how far the A-minded will go to uphold a theory–a theory strong on imagination but weak on truth–at the expense of Scripture.
The truth is, Jason, while Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand Heaven, He is not sitting on the throne of David. Of course this also means He is not now fulfilling the ruling aspects of the Davidic Covenant, either. But He will certainly do so at His Second Coming.
I make several more posts about this matter, but I can’t right now.
Have a good one!
(And happy spiritualizing)
Just wondering about this business about the Temple. Obviously, there are solid NT references to the Church as the Temple, but is there a step in-between? The Temple was known in the OT not only as the place where the worship of God occurred, but the place where the presence of God was. Does Jesus fulfil the Temple, as the presence of God on earth and the true Worshipper, in order that we — in him — might fulfil that role too?
T.J.,
Since you don’t believe that CT is based on sound historical/grammatical/literal hermeneutics, I am afraid that “burnt the bridges” that allow for discussion. That has been the most popular response of DT defenders because it diverts the attention away from theological truths towards academia arguments. For example, a consistent literal interpretation of Acts 2 will lead one to understand that Peter believed Jesus to be the fulfillment of the promises made to David. Others Scriptures that refer to the same are Luke 1:31-33; Acts 5:31-42; Romans 1:3; Hebrews 1:5.
From there use literal interpretation on these passages and you will see that Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension fulfilled the promises of the OT such as found in the Edenic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenant:
Matthew 26:27-28
Matthew 27:50-53
Luke 9:28-31
Luke 22:20
Acts 2:14-36
Acts 3:25
Acts 15:17
John 5:25
John 5:39-47
John 8:37-42
John 10
John 14:27
John 18:36
Hebrews 8, 9, 10, 11
Romans 4:13
Romans 8:22-23
Romans 11:32
1Corinthians 3
1 Corinthians 11:25
Galatians 3 – 5
Again — these are not passages that require what you call “spiritualizing”. So please read them, interpret them literally, and consider what I have said. We can discuss this in detail if you would like. I notice your comments drip with condescending remarks… that usually implies that you don’t have a desire to actually discuss theology but just defend your own position at any cost. That is too bad. So I hope those who compare my post with your rebuttal can see past the silliness and discover the substantive theological material and decide whether or not Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of the OT or not. If He is then CT is right and we find our all hope and rest in Him now. If He is not then we should look for more for what He currently is is not sufficient or final.
Phil,
If I understand your question right – then yes, Jesus is the fulfillment of the OT Temple typology. As the Body of Christ, the church is therefore the temple of God. Ezekiel described the temple of the New Covenant (the fulfillment of all the OT covenants) as being larger than Jerusalem. The same is true of John’s vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21. Notice in Rev. 21 that John makes it clear that the Bride of Christ is the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:9-10; also see Heb. 12:22). And there is no need of a physical temple as noted in Rev. 21 because God’s glory is upon His redeemed. So, yes, CT sees Jesus as the complete fulfillment of all of God’s promises given to the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16-16) and all Jews and Gentiles who are in Christ are therefore the heirs of the promise (Galatians 3:29).
Jason,
In this post I want to address your error that Christ’s ascension fulfills the Davidic Covenant (Point 11, Subpoint A in your outline). This scheme falls short on a number of fronts.
To begin with, several epochal passages argue to the contrary and completely overthrow the A-minded assumption that the ascension of Christ somehow fulfilled the Davidic Covenant. True, the Scriptures assert Christ will fulfill the Covenant, but they also assert He will do so NOT at His ascension but at His Second Coming.
This first passage is Dan. 7:13,14; and it’s a beaut. Here are the facts. The text says God gives the kingdom (the Davidic Kingdom, no less) to the Son WHEN HE COMES WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. Note, too, the description of this kingdom: It’s a literal, physical, earthly kingdom replete with people, nations, and languages. There’s nothing ethereal here. We see the Son receiving His kingdom (Rev. 3:21; cf. Lk. 1:31-33) and then exercising dominion over it.
But there’s more.
Note the context in which the Son receives this kingdom. He receives it AFTER the revived Roman Empire and its final ruler, the anti-christ (the horn), have run their course (7:11-14, 17-27). Nothing in Christ’s first coming and ascension match this. Thus we conclude, given the detail of Dan. 7, that Christ assumes His Davidic throne AFTER His current session in Heaven and immediately following His Second Coming.
It’s worth noting also that Jesus didn’t come in the clouds of Heaven at His first coming. But He will at His Second Coming (Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 1:7), a coming that will mark the end of anti-christ (Rev. 19:11-21) and the inauguration of His Messianic (or Davidic) rule and kingdom (Rev. 20:4-6; cf. Mt. 25:31-46). At this time, as Mt. 25:31 says, He’ll sit upon the throne of His glory, something He’s not currently doing, all A-minded objections aside. But I’m sure, Jason, if you caress your spiritual hermeneutic carefully enough, you’ll have it confessing a spiritual fulfillment in no time.
But, again, there’s more.
In Mt 24:29-31 Jesus implies He will fulfill Dan. 7:13,14 in connection with His Second Coming. Now this cuts the throat of the A-minded spiritual fulfillment theory. Carefully considered, Dan. 7 and Mt. 24 confute the notion Jesus began His Davidic reign at either His first coming or ascension. Given our texts, to assert Christ’s present session in Heaven is now fulfilling the Davidic Covenant is a hermeneutical tragedy equivalent to baptismal regeneration and the Assumption of Mary. Only Covenantalists can insult Scripture like this.
If we take these passages seriously–and take them as they stand–then the Davidic Covenant still awaits fulfillment. Not even a well-skilled spiritualizer and part-time hoodwinker like yourself, Jason, can twist these up into a present fulfillment. But, then again, you never know.
The second key passage is Mt. 25:31-46. It’s straightforward and uncomplicated. The teaching is this: Christ returns at His Second Coming, gathers up the survivors (both saved and lost) of the Tribulation Period, and then conducts the Sheep and Goat Nation Judgment. The saved of this judgment go into the Messianic-Davidic Kingdom and the lost enter Hell fire.
But note this: The judgment proceeds from Christ’s Messianic-Davidic throne (the throne of his glory [Mt. 25:31])–a literal, physical, political throne ON EARTH–that He now occupies as David’s rightful Heir and earth’s rightful King. Again, all this takes place at Christ’s SECOND COMING, not His first. Get this, Jason: It’s not until Christ’s Second Coming that His Davidic rule–and hence the Davidic Covenant–kick in. To place it before that time is to strap the church with the errors of Augustine and the deficiencies of the Reformers.
A third passage teaching a Second Coming fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant is Zech. 14:4,9. When Christ returns, He’ll touch down on the mount of Olives, triggering an earthquake that splits the mount. But the significant item here is that at this time–at His Second Coming–Christ BECOMES KING OVER THE WHOLE EARTH (Zech. 14:9)! That is, He becomes the DAVIDIC KING at His seconding coming–NOT AT HIS FIRST OR EVEN AT HIS ASCENSION, as the twisted and ill-informed would have it. Thus the Davidic Covenant, with its promise of an eternal King, still awaits actuation. Consequently, Christ’s present session cannot be the fulfillment of the Covenant.
I hate to say it, Jason. But there’s still more.
In Ps. 110:1,2 we have an interesting set up: Here we learn the Messiah must wait (His present session) until AFTER His enemies are subdued before He reigns. DID YOU READ THAT, JASON? In other words Christ’s present session is NOT the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant because, according to verse 2, He fulfills it AFTER His current session when Jehovah sends “the rod of [the Son's] strength out of Zion [the physical place of the Davidic throne].” And He sends the Son’s strength out of Zion with these words: “Rule thou in the midest of thine enemies” (110:2b). This, of course, completely eviscerates the A-minded claim of present fulfillment.
There are several other texts that really knock the snot out of the A-minded; and, of course, you in particular, Jason. In Mt. 19:28 (cf., Ro. 8:18-22), for instance, Jesus says He will sit upon His throne of glory in connection with the earth’s regeneration (its future restoration to pre-fall conditions), a fact currently obtaining no where on the planet. Peter calls this “regeneration” by two other expressions: “the times of refreshing” (Acts 3:19) and “the times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21; cf. 3:19-21). Unless you spiritualize the regeneration here, as well as the thrones of the apostles and their future ministry over Israel, you’ll have to acknowledge a future fulfillment of the Covenant. But I doubt you will. You’re addicted to spiritualizing. Only a three month stay at a Dispensational recovery center will help.
As we look at the Acts texts, we see the times spoken of here will not transpire while Jesus remains in Heaven. That is the teaching of the passage. But when He comes again–and sets up His Messianic-Davidic throne–and rules as David’s greater Son, a rule directly connected with the Davidic Covenant, only then will the earth experience its new birth a millennial blessing.
Your belief that Jesus is fulfilling the Davidic Covenant by His current session at the Father’s right hand, just AIN’T so, Jason. Passage after passage refutes it and argues for a Second Coming fulfillment of the Covenant. Unless your willing to eviscerate 10 to 15 percent of the prophetic Scriptures that inconvenience your A-minded eschatology, you need to rethink your kingdom-now foolishness.
I’ll address more specifically the earthly fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant in another post. Suffice it to say right now, though, that Christ’s present session is NO fulfillment of the Covenant. Only your peculiar theological commitments and hermeneutical liberties allow such a thing. How you can read the various accounts of the Davidic Covenant and conclude they teach a spiritual fulfillment is totally flaky. The fact is NOTHING in the David Covenant suggests anything other than a literal, earthly, Messianic fulfillment.
Have a good one!
Jason,
In the previous post I stated the Davidic Covenant isn’t fulfilled by Christ’s present session at the Father’s right hand. In fact, Jesus Himself told you the same thing (Rev. 3:21; cf. Mt. 19:28; 25:31 But apparently you weren’t listening.
As I’ve stated repeatedly, Christ is not currently fulfilling some etherealized, spiritualized redefinition of the Davidic Covenant, for the Covenant awaits a future fulfillment, as my previous post showed.
But let me press the matter further. Not only does the Covenant await a future fulfillment, but (now get this) it awaits a future EARTHLY fulfillment. Yup, that’s what Scripture teaches. There’s nothing ethereal in the Davidic Covenant; it’s all earthly and pertains specifically to the literal political kingdom on earth.
While you A-minded types have eviscerated an earthly rule and established an ethereal one, the Bible nevertheless maintains its plain, simple, and direct promise of a literal, future, earthly fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant and refuses to countenance the reformulation of the Covenant by A-minded soothsayers and stargazers.
Quite frankly, it’s impossible to take the Davidic Covenant seriously and still reduce to a spiritual kingdom, as the A-minded do. I say it’s impossible because everywhere in Scripture the Davidic kingdom is set forth as a real, literal, political, earthy kingdom declaring Christ’s literal, physical rule from Jerusalem over all earthly things.
Consider once again Zech. 14:4,9. In our last post we showed how this passage establishes Christ’s future Davidic kingship in connection with His Second Coming. But the passage also declares that Christ’s Davidic kingship will find full and perfect expression ON EARTH during the Messanic-Davidic Kingdom. In other words, Zech. 14:4,9 not only confirms the future reign of Christ but says it will be “over all the earth,” that is, over an earthly, physical, political Millennial earth. There is no Heavenly session here. (I offer as further support for this Ps. 72:8; Zech. 9:10; and Dan. 2:35, 44-45).
Consider also Jer. 23:5-8. Here again we find an earthly, future fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. There’s nothing here of the spiritualized nonsense of the A-minded. What we find is that David’s Righteous Branch–THE KING–will reign and prosper and execute judgment and justice (now here it comes; don’t miss it) IN THE EARTH. I know this may come as a shock, Jason, but IN THE EARTH is not Hebrew code for THE FATHER’S RIGHT HAND.
Also, notice that in the days of the Righteous Branch (the Davidic Messiah King) “Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely…in their own land” (23:6,8), neither of which is true today. Now surely you see the problem here–especially if we take your spiritualizing eschatology at face value. If Jesus is currently reigning as the Righteous Branch (the Davidic King) at the Father’s right hand, as you and your spiritualizing buddies assert, then either Jeremiah is a liar or you are. You see, you can’t have the Righteous Branch reigning and Israel in disarray. You can’t have the Davidic King ruling and yet have justice and judgment perverted. You can’t have the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS enthroned and empowered and still have Israel scattered abroad.
Clearly the effects mentioned in Jer. 23:5-8 occur in conjunction with the Messiah’s reign. Now if we do not see these effects, and if we take such effects at face value (and we believe that’s exactly how Jeremiah intended them to be taken), then we say Christ is not now exercising His Davidic reign. Of course you spiritualizers must recast this prophecy and morph it into a spiritualized application to the church or something else. But you can’t take it at face value. You can’t say this passage clearly teaches the future earthly reign of Jesus Christ. You can’t say that simply because you’re dizzy on the crazy juice of the A-minded.
Consider once more Dan. 7:13,14. As we pointed out earlier, this passage clearly demonstrates a future Messianic (or Davidic) kingdom. But it just as clearly teaches the Davidic kingdom will be earthly. What else can we make of verse 14? “And there was given him dominion, and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” And if we couple verse 14 with the phrase in verse 27 which says, “the greatness of the kingdom UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN,” we see the Davidic kingdom to be entirely earthly, and this comports nicely with Rev. 11:15.
Consider this, Jason. The prophets repeatedly pictured a revitalized earth during the Messiah’s Davidic reign: what we call the future Millennial Kingdom.
Here are a few changes the prophets foresaw when Christ would begin His Davidic reign.
1. The wilderness, the solitary place, and the desert would blossom like a rose (Isa. 35:1,2).
2. The high places would open up with rivers, the valleys would spring alive with fountains; and the wilderness will become a pool of water and dry land springs of water (41:18). In short, the barn places will become like the Garden of Eden (Isa. 51:3), and the waste places will spring up with vegetation and growth (41:18-20).
3. The animals will become tame and also vegetarians (Isa.11:6-9; 65:25).
4. The deaf would hear (Isa. 28:18; Isa. 35:5b); the blind would see (Isa. 29:18; 35:18a); the sick would find healing (Isa. 33:24); and the lame would leap (Isa. 35:6).
5. People would experience great longevity (Isa. 65:20-22).
6. A unique watering system coming from the millennial temple will greatly enhance the productivity of Israel (Ezk. 47:1-12).
All these changes and more, Jason, are found in the prophets in connection with the rule of David’s greater Son. In fact, Jesus Himself associated all these changes with His Second Coming and the earth’s regeneration (Mt. 19:28), or what Peter later called “the times of refreshing” (3:19) and “the times of restitution of all things’ (Acts 3;21). Again, if Christ’s Davidic reign produces certain prophesied effects, and those effects haven’t come, then Christ isn’t reigning as David’s greater Son. It’s that simple. This isn’t Chinese algebra.
Let me conclude this post with a brief outline the book of Revelation’s endtime events. I think it’ll show the Davidic kingdom will be a literal, earthly kingdom of a thousand years and not some spiritualized mess spun up by rebellious exegetes who place their eschatological system above the Scriptures and their spiritual divining above textual simplicity.
1. Christ returns bodily from Heaven at the conclusion of the Tribulation (Rev. 19:11-21).
2. Upon His arrival Christ incarcerates Satan for 1000 years (Rev. 20:1-3). This takes place while Christ is ON THE EARTH.
3. After Satan’s incarceration Christ and His resurrected saints begin a 1000 year reign ON THE EARTH (Rev. 20:-6). This is the millennial kingdom over which Christ rules and in which He fulfills the Davidic Covenant.
4. At the close of the 1000 year reign of Christ, Satan is released from his prison (Rev. 20:7).
5. Once Satan is out, He heads up a worldwide revolt against the Son, and of course this revolt occurs ON THE EARTH at the close of the kingdom and involves all the lost who have secretly cherished ill-will toward the Son during His 1000 year reign. With Satan deceiving and instigating them, they are all too eager to comply and rebel (20: 8,9). But judgment falls, and Satan and his followers find themselves eternally doomed (Rev. 20:10).
Let me emphasize once again that the endtime Satanic revolt occurs ON THE EARTH where CHRIST IS RULING BODILY IN PERSON ON THE THRONE OF DAVID IN THE CITY OF JERSALEM (Rev. 20:8,9). That this Messianic-Davidic rule is on the earth is clear from such expressions as “the four quarters ofthe earth” (Rev. 20:8) and “they went up on the breath of the earth” (Rev. 20:9) and “compassed the camp of the saints” (Rev. 20:9) and “the beloved city” (Rev. 20:9). If you want to destroy the literal fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, have at it. But remember: YOU MUST FACE GOD. And He won’t take kindly to your undermining His Son’s covenanted rule.
6. Following Satan’s final attack and damnation, God sets up Great White Throne to settle every lost man’s hash (Rev. 20:11-15).
7. With the conclusion of the Great White Throne judgment come the New Heaven and New Earth and the eternal state (Rev. 21:1).
Perhaps in another post I can address the literal political nature of the Davidic kingdom.
Have a great day!
(But don’t spiritualize your salvation away!)
That was a lot of typing to not deal with any verse that I gave you. T.J., you act as if we haven’t read Ryrie, Walvoord, or Scofield. I even studied personally under H. Willmington at Liberty — his outlines are way better than yours. So you can redeem your time with either dealing with my post and comments or just telling us that you disagree and have no desire to change.
Jason,
I’ll cut this post short. You’re right on one account, though. I am an unbeliever when it comes to stripping Christ of His crown rights and His to reign over the earthly kingdom of David. Etherealizing His rule is an insult of the first order and can only stir the displeasure of God.
There’s one simple point I wish to make here, and that is that the Davidic kingdom is every bit an earthly political kingdom and that no amount of spiritual alchemy can change that.
Will the Davidic kingdom find a political fulfillment? Will it actually become a literal kingdom among men with Christ at its head?
To these queries the Scriptures answer affirmatively.
Several important prophetic passages require–if not demand–the Davidic Kingdom be a truly earthly political kingdom.
Notice Isa. 9:6,7. Here we have Christ shouldering the Davidic government, a real political earthly kingdom (“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”). He assumes the political leadership not only of the Davidic kingdom but of world government itself and bears it upon His shoulders.
As the Messiah-King Christ is the consummate Politician. He will head up the nation of Israel and through Israel He will govern all nations. For a thousand years He will oversee world government; and when the thousand years expires, His kingdom won’t cease but, rather, will continue on into the New Heaven and New Earth. Thus, “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
Two other highly charged kingdom passages suggest a real, earthly, political Davidic kingdom. One is Isa. 2:1-4, and the other is Mic. 4:1-3. With the topographical changes accompanying the Lord’s return, His house will be high and lifted up and will be the center of world government (2:2; Mic. 4:1). To this house all nations will come and receive instruction in millennial law (2:3; Mic. 4:2). From this house (the millennial temple [Ezk. 40-48]) the Lord will judge and rebuke the nations accordingly (Isa. 2:4; 11:1-5; Mic. 4:3); for Israel in general, Jerusalem in particular, and the Lord’s house specifically will be the hub of millennial politics and authority. Only by rebellion and Covenantal witchery can the A-minded alchemists recreate these prophecies into something they’re not.
Yes, the kingdom will be a political kingdom, and, yes, Christ will administer it with judgment and righteousness toward all (Jer. 33:14-18), and He will do it IN THE LAND (Jer. 33:15). Over and over again the prophets tell us when the Messiah rules, He will protect the poor, punish the oppressor, and execute the wicked. All these activities are POLITICAL FUNCTIONS (Ro. 13:1-7). Again, by every measure the kingdom will be a political kingdom.
Christ’s coming millennial rule is certain (Ps. 89:28-37; 132:11; Jer. 33:20,21). And, mark it down, it will be a literal poltical rule on planet earth. In fact, it will be as literal and as political and as earthly as David’s and Solomon’s. When the Son concludes His present session at the Father’s right hand, He will descend in glory and establish His mighty rule over the earth as David’s rightful Heir.
I know I mentioned this previously, but it bears repeating here: If Jesus is ruling over a kingdom unlike the one connected with the Davidic Covenant, then He’s not yet ruling over the Davidic kingdom. Indeed, He may at present be ruling over the hearts of believers, but that is not the same as ruling over the Davidic Kingdom.
In my next post I think I’ll address your error concerning Israel and the church and the whole “one people of God” nonsense. Or I might address a few other errors found in your Davidic Covenant outline.
T.J,
Are you referring to your comments now as “posts” as you said in the last paragraph of your comment above? How appropriate. T.J., please refrain from using Fide-O as your own blog.
We understand your position which you summarized nicely in your comment above: As the Messiah-King Christ is the consummate Politician. He will head up the nation of Israel and through Israel He will govern all nations. For a thousand years He will oversee world government… He may at present be ruling over the hearts of believers, but that is not the same as ruling over the Davidic Kingdom.
You exegesis exemplifies the fact that you interpret the New Testament based on your dispensational interpretations of the Old Testament. Your hermeneutic is backwards. I am commend your diligence in consistency and desire to glorify Christ. I once believed as you do. I have all the outlines, charts, lists, books. I do not want to return any disrespect to you in spite of your sophmoric quips. But I do hope that you finally get the point.