I Will Build My Church

God gave to Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonian empire, a troubling dream about a giant statue. The dream’s interpretation, given by God to his prophet Daniel, reveals to man an overview of world history touching the four major “kingdoms” (empires), pictured together as a statue—an enormous metal man whose height would span many centuries. The last empire mentioned is the statue’s legs of iron terminating in ten kingdoms, that were partly made of iron and partly of clay. This last component is evidently the Roman empire, for it fits the description and chronology of the succession of empires in the dream—from the Babylonian to the Medo-Persian to the Grecian to the Roman (Daniel 2:1,31-45).

In Daniel’s interpretation of the king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, there came a point in the prophecy when the “stone cut without hands” “smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces,” bringing to an end the whole succession of empires (v.34). “In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (v.44). And it is said of this “stone,” this kingdom of God, “smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth” (vv.34-35).

The One Kingdom That Shall Never End

We know who the King of this stone-kingdom is: he is the King of kings, the mighty Lord Jesus Christ himself (Revelation 19:15-16). For only he could ever be the King for whom the God of heaven would set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. As it is written elsewhere, “all things were created by him and for him” (Colossians 1:16-17).

It is also written of the Messiah, whose kingdom shall never be destroyed, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 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” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

The Lord Jesus Christ now sits upon the throne of David. The apostle James understood well what Christ is accomplishing on that throne: “James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:13b-18). And it is as Peter also teaches us: kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is an “everlasting kingdom” (2 Peter 1:11).

The Lord Jesus Christ Is Reigning on Earth

As Jesus himself (whose very name means “JEHOVAH IS SALVATION”—see Matthew 1:21) affirmed: “I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18). This is the solemn vow of our Almighty Sovereign Lord himself.

Though we do not see him while he is seated on the throne at the right hand of God in heaven, yet our Lord Jesus is even now reigning on earth, from his throne in heaven at the right hand of God (Mark 12:35-37; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; 5:3; 7:55-56; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 10:12; 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22). This is why Christ’s government is still increasing in the earth—or, in other words, this is why his “stone” kingdom is still growing to become a “great mountain.”

The Lord Jesus is not called the “Saviour of the world” and the “Saviour of all men” for nothing (John 4:42; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 4:14). These titles of Christ are prophetic. Of this we can be certain.

Death shall be swallowed up by Christ’s victory, which God has given to the Lord’s people (1 Corinthians 15:54,57). Jesus saves his people from their sins, giving them back all that they had lost in Adam and so much more: indeed, “all spiritual blessings” (see Ephesians 1:3).

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he [God] is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28).

As the apostle Paul teaches, the “fullness of the Gentiles” shall be brought into the kingdom of God, and “all Israel shall be saved” (Romans 11:26-27). When this has all been accomplished, as it shall surely be, then the great promise made to Abraham shall have been fulfilled—by adoption of all nations into his covenant family (Genesis 18:17-18; Galatians 3:8-9). This completed Church shall then be a great multitude that no mere man can number, gathered in from every tongue, tribe and nation. (Revelation 5:9; 7:9-10).

And He Shall Reign for Ever and Ever

While this increase of the kingdom of heaven progresses on earth, the Lord Jesus Christ is also expecting that all his enemies shall become the footstool for his feet (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34-35), in order that “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). The Lord Jesus Christ truly is “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16).

God the Father has made his Son King of kings, and in his current and ongoing reign over the earth he is even now bringing into subjection all who oppose him as his enemies. And he will keep going with this until all things are subdued under his feet. This is all true: “…Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippinans 2:5-11).

And So Shall We Ever Be With the Lord

Though we do not see him now, we shall see him. When the number of the Church is complete, then our Saviour shall return. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him” (Revelation 1:7). And among those eyes there shall be Christian eyes. This was promised to us by the angels who were present at his ascension and (physical) departure from this world. “And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:6-11).

Whether or not we are in that last generation of Christians—we shall see our Lord’s glorious return to earth.

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).

Our Saviour shall return. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

He shall come again “without sin,” for when he came the first time, he came to bear all our sins, and when he returns, he does not come to bring our sins back again, or to hold them against us! No, he comes “unto salvation,” to complete that salvation of his people, to deliver us from all evil, and to raise us to the promised glorified state, body and soul.

The entire Church, meaning all the people of God from every generation since the beginning, are saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, the one and only Saviour. There are not two (or more) peoples of God but one—one Bride of the Lamb, one new Jerusalem, adorned for her Saviour Priest-King (see Ephesians 2:11-22; Romans 11:17; Hebrews 7 Revelation 21:1-2, 9-14.).

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Appendix

Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, at Question and Answer 102.

Q. 102. What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. In the second petition, which is, Thy kingdom come, we pray, that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it, and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

102:1. Must we acknowledge our heavenly Father’s kingdom? Yes: The Lord is king for ever and ever, Psalm 10:16. And must we admire it? Yes: we must speak of the glory of his kingdom, Psalm 145:11. Must we own him to be our King? Yes: Thou art my king, O God, Psalm 44:4. Must we heartily wish well to his kingdom? Yes: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, Matthew 6:33.

102:2. Has Satan a kingdom in opposition to God’s kingdom? Yes: for he is the prince of this world, John 12:31. Does he rule where sin rules? Yes: for he works in the children of disobedience, Ephesians 2:2. Must we pray that that kingdom may be destroyed? Yes: The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan, even the Lord that has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee, Zechariah 3:2. Must we pray that the dominion of sin may be broken? Yes: O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, Psalm 7:9. And that the power of the church’s enemies may be crushed? Yes: So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord, Judges 5:31. And their policies blasted? Yes: Lord turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness, 2 Samuel 15:31. And their projects defeated? Yes: O my God, make them like a wheel, Psalm 83:13.

102:3. Have we reason to hope that Satan’s kingdom shall be destroyed in the hearts of believers? Yes: For the God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly, Romans 16:20. And that it shall be destroyed in the world? Yes: For I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven, Luke 10:18. So destroyed that it shall not destroy the church? Yes: for the church is built upon a rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Matthew 16:18.

102:4. Is the kingdom of Christ our Father’s kingdom? Yes: I have set my King upon my holy hill of Sion, Psalm 2:6. Must we pray that that may be advanced? Yes: Prayer shall be made for him continually, Psalm 72:15. That we and others may be brought into it? Yes: That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith, Ephesians 3:17. And kept in it? Yes: That we may be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

102:5. Are we to pray for converting grace? Yes: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned, Jeremiah 31:18. And that others may partake of that grace? Yes: That sinners may be converted unto thee, Psalm 51:13. Are we to pray for confirming grace? Yes: That God would comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work, 2 Thessalonians 2:17. Are we to pray for the strengthening of faith? Yes: Lord, increase our faith, Luke 17:5. And the increase of love? Yes: This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more, Philippians 1:9.

102:6. Are we to pray for the advancement of the kingdom of light? Yes: O send out thy light and thy truth, Psalm 43:3. And the kingdom of holiness? Yes: The God of peace sanctify you wholly, 1 Thessalonians 5:23. And the kingdom of love? Yes: That they all may be one, John 17:21. Must we pray for the sending forth of ministers in order hereunto? Yes: Pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth labourers into his harvest, Matthew 9:38. And for the presence of God with them? Yes: that utterance may be given to them, Ephesians 6:19.

102:7. Are we to pray for the prosperity of the church? Yes: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Psalm 122:6. And for the welfare of all who belong to it? Yes: Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee, Psalm 70:4. And for the comfort of all good Christians? Yes: Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, Ephesians 6:24. Must we pray for the enlargement of the church? Yes: My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved, Romans 10:1. And for the reformation of it? Yes: Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, Psalm 80:19. And for the defence of it? Yes: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem, Psalm 51:18. And for the deliverance of it? Yes: Command deliverances for Jacob, Psalm 44:4.

102:8. May we pray in faith for the advancement and continuance of Christ’s kingdom? Yes; For of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, Isaiah 9:7. And have we reason to triumph in this? Yes: Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, Revelation 19:6.

102:9. Is the kingdom of glory yet to come? Yes: When the mystery of God shall be finished, Revelation 10:7. Are we to pray that that may be hastened? Yes: Looking for, and hastening unto, the coming of the day of God, 2 Peter 3:12. Are we to desire our own removal to that glory at death? Yes: Desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, 2 Corinthians 5:2. Are we to pray that we may be ready for it? Yes: Watch therefore, and pray always, Luke 21:36. And then that it may be hastened? Yes: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, Luke 2:29. Are we to pray for Christ’s second coming at the end of time? Yes: Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus, Revelation 22:20.

David Dixon, A Commentary on the Psalms, at Psalm 72.

The prophetical answer given here to the church’s prayer above [Psalm 72 was quoted in full] promiseth twenty benefits of Christ’s government, all of them tending to the glory of the king and the good of the subjects; the shadow whereof was seen in David and Solomon’s reigns, joined with many imperfections, but the real accomplishment is only in Christ…

The sixth benefit is, Christ, the true king of Israel, shall never want [lack, or be without] a kingdom, he shall never want subjects, but shall always have a church of such as shall worship and fear him, and do homage unto him, so long as the world standeth, amidst all changes and revolutions that an come: they shall fear thee as long as the moon and the sun endure, throughout all generations [v.5].

The seventh benefit is, whatsoever sad condition his people shall be in, how far soever spoiled their lustre and glory in the world, or in any other respects whatsoever, they shall be made as a mown down meadow possibly, yet Christ, by his word, Spirit, and effectual blessing, shall revive and recover them; as grass cut down, being watered by the rain, is made to grow again: he shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth [v.6].

The eighth benefit is, all the true subjects of Christ are justified persons, and devoted in thei hearts to righteousness, in the obedience of God’s will, and such as endeavour to abound in the fruits of righteousness: the righteous shall flourish in his day [v.7a].

The ninth benefit is, Christs justified subjects and students of holiness shall have peace with God, peace abounding and passing all understanding, lasting peace, without end, in all his revolution of conditions: the righteous shall flourish, and have abundant peace, so long as the world endureth [v.7].

The tenth benefit of Christ’s government is, the enlargement of the church and the number of his subjects, according to the length and breadth of God’s promises made to his people Israel, whether Israel in the letter or in the spirit: he shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth [v.8].

Matthew Poole’s Commentary on the Whole Bible at Isaiah 9:6-7.

Having spoken of the glorious light, and joy, and victory of God’s people, he now proceeds to show the ground of it, and by what person these things are procured.

Unto us; unto us Jews, of whom Christ was born, and to whom he was primarily sent, Matthew 15:24, for our use and benefit.

A Child; the Messiah, by the consent of interpreters, not only Christian, but Jewish; for so the ancient Hebrew doctors understood the place, and particularly the Chaldee paraphrast; although the later Jews, out of opposition to Christ, wrest it to Hezekiah; which extravagant conceit, as it hath no foundation at all in that or any other text of Scripture, and therefore may be rejected without any further reason, so it is fully confuted by the following titles, which are such as cannot without blasphemy and nonsense be ascribed to Hezekiah, nor indeed to any mere mortal man, as we shall see. But all the following particulars do so truly and exactly agree to Christ, that they cannot without great violence be alienated from him, or ascribed to any other.

Is born, for shall be born, as the prophets generally speak [i.e. “prophetic present tense” for an inevitable future event].

A Son; so he determines the sex of the child. Or, the Son, to wit, of the virgin, of whom I spake before, Isaiah 7:14.

Is given; is freely and graciously given to us by God. Other children also are said to be given by God, Genesis 30:6; 48:9, but this in a peculiar manner, and therefore he is called the gift of God, John 4:10.

The government, to wit, of Israel, or of God’s people, to whom he is given,

shall be upon his shoulder, i.e. upon him, or in his hands. He mentions shoulders, because great burdens are commonly laid upon men’s shoulders; and as all government, if it be rightly managed, so this especially, is a very heavy burden, requiring extraordinary care, and diligence, and self-denial. Possibly here may be also an allusion to the ancient custom of carrying the ensigns of government before the magistrate upon the shoulders of their officers; or to the cross of Christ, which was laid upon his shoulders, John 19:17, which also was the way to his kingdom or government, Luke 24:26.

His name shall be called; either,

1. He shall be called; for names are oft put for persons, as Acts 1:15, Revelation 3:4, Revelation 11:13. Or,
2. His name shall be; for to be called in Scripture is off put for to be, as I have noted before on Isaiah 1:26, and oft elsewhere. But this is not to be taken for a description of his proper name, by which he should be commonly called, but of his glorious nature and qualities. See my notes on Isaiah 7:14.

Wonderful, Counsellor: these words may be taken either,

1. Severally, as they are in our translation, and by many others. This the Jews apply to Hezekiah, who, as they say, is called wonderful, because of the miracle which God wrought for him, 2 Kings 20:2, etc. and counsellor, because he took counsel with his princes about God’s worship, and the defence of the city, 2 Chronicles 29:4, etc., and gave good counsel to others; which ridiculous account is sufficient to overthrow that exposition. But they agree most eminently to the Lord Christ, who is truly wonderful, in his person, and natures, and words, and works, being made up of wonders, in whom there was nothing which was not wonderful; who also may well be called Counsellor, because he knew the whole counsel of God, and (so far as it was necessary) revealed it to us, and is the great Counsellor of his church and people in all their doubts and difficulties. Or,
2. Jointly,

Wonderful Counsellor; which may seem best to agree both with the following titles, each of which is made up of two words, and with Isaiah 28:29, where God is called wonderful in counsel, and makes the title more full and emphatical. To call Christ simply a Counsellor, may seem too mean a character, being common to many others with him; but to say he is a wonderful Counsellor, is a singular commendation. And so Christ is, because he hath been the Counsellor of his church in all ages, and the author and giver of all those excellent counsels delivered not only by the apostles, but also by the prophets, as is evident from 1 Peter 1:10–11, and hath gathered, and enlarged, and preserved his church by admirable counsels and methods of his providence, and, in a word, hath in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:3.

The mighty God: this title can agree to no man but Christ, who was God as well as man, to whom the title of God or Jehovah is given, both in the Old and New Testament, as Jeremiah 23:6, John 1:1, Romans 9:5, and in many other places. And it is a most true observation, that this Hebrew word El is never used in the singular number, of any creature, but only of the Almighty God, as is evident by perusing all the texts where this word is used. And although the title of Elohim, which is of the plural number, be twice or thrice given to some men, yet there is constantly added some diminishing expression to it, as when they are said to be afraid, Job 41:25, and to die, Psalm 49:10; whereas here he adds the epithet of mighty, which is ascribed to the great God, Deuteronomy 10:17, and elsewhere.

The everlasting Father, Heb. the Father of eternity. Having called him a Child, and a Son in respect of his human nature, lest this should be misinterpreted to his disparagement, he adds that he is a Father also, even the God and Father of all things; the work of creation being common and commonly ascribed to each of the persons of the blessed Trinity, the Maker and Upholder of all creatures, as he is said to be, John 1:3, Hebrews 1:3, and the Father of all believers, who are called his children, Hebrews 2:13, and the Father of eternity; either,

1. The first author (such persons being called fathers, as Genesis 4:20, and elsewhere) of eternal salvation, as he is called, Hebrews 5:9. Or,
2. As we render it, the everlasting Father, who, though as man he was then unborn, yet was and is from everlasting to everlasting. They who apply this to Hezekiah render it, the father of an age, and expound this of his long life and numerous posterity; which I the rather mention, to show what absurd shifts they are forced to use who interpret this text of any other but Christ. For he did not live very long, nor had he, that we read of, more than one son, Manasseh. And if both these things had been true of him, they were more eminently true of many other men. Besides, this Hebrew word being used of God, as here it is of him who was now called the mighty God, constantly signifies eternity, as Isaiah 26:4, Isaiah 57:15, etc.

The Prince of peace: this title doth not fully agree to Hezekiah, whose reign was not free from wars, as we see, 2 Kings 18:0; but it agrees exactly to Christ, who is called our peace, Micah 5:5, Ephesians 2:14, and is the only purchaser and procurer of peace between God and men, Isaiah 53:5, and of peace between men and men, Jews and Gentiles, Ephesians 2:15, and of the peace of our own consciences, and leaves peace as his legacy to his disciples, John 14:27, John 16:33.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end; his peaceable and happy government shall be enlarged without end; either without end of duration, for ever; but that is expressed in a following clause of this verse: or without end of limitation, or without bounds. It shall not be confined to a narrow spot of ground, the land of Canaan, but shall be extended far and wide to all the ends of the earth.

The throne of David; which was promised to David, and to his seed for ever.

With judgment and with justice; not with oppression and tyranny, by which other kingdoms are commonly managed, but by the administration of justice.

From henceforth even for ever; from the beginning of it unto all eternity.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this; this great work, which surpasseth all the power and skill of men, shall be brought to pass by Almighty God, out of that fervent affection which he hath to his own name and glory, and to the honour of his dearly beloved Son, and unto his church and people.