Southern Christian University

James A. Turner

Christ Is Now Reigning On David’s Throne

I. David did not have a throne. God raised him up as king over Israel, but the throne was God’s (I K.1:32-40; I Chr.29:22-23). It is spoken of as David’s throne in the same sense as the law of the O.T. is spoken of as the law of Moses.

II. Peter affirmed that Christ is at the right hand of God exalted (Acts 2:33) and reigning on the throne of David Acts 2:30-31). Please read and give careful attention to Acts 2:24-35; Eph. 1: 19-23; I Cor. 15: 22-26.

III. Amos prophesied that the tabernacle of David would be raised up more that 150 years before the earthly throne of David fell, and that when it was raised up the nations or Gentiles would have salvation (Amos 9:11-12, 1:1, 7:10-14). James quoted Amos 9:11-12 showing that it had been fulfilled (Acts 15:13-20). Please look at your sheet on the kings of Judah and Israel.

IV. Isaiah said that Christ would reign on the throne of David forever (Isa. 9:6-8), and he is now reigning.

V. Gabriel told Mary that God would give Jesus the throne of David, and he would reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Lu.1:31-33). The house of Jacob today is the new Israel of God, the church (Rom.2:28-29; Col.2:11-13; Phil. 3:2-6). His kingdom is the church which he is reigning over (Mt. 16:18-19; I Cor.15:22-26).

VI. When king Jehoiachin was carried captive to Babylon (II K.24:8-17) Jeremiah said, “Write this man as childless, (R S V) a man who shall not succeed in his days; for none of his off spring shall succeed in sitting on the throne of David and ruling again in Judah” (Jer.22:24-30). This king is called by three different names, Jehoiachin (II K. 24:6-8), Jeconiah (I Chr.3:16-17 and Mt. !:12) and Coniah (Jer.22:24). Christ is a descendant of this king (Mt. 1:12); therefore he cannot reign in Judah, the place that the Rapture Preachers and the Premillenarian say that he will come back and reign as an earthly king for a 1,000 years. In view of Eph. 1:19-23, why would he want to come to earth and reign as an earthly king?

VII. Jeremiah also said that God would raise up to David a righteous Branch (Christ) and that he would reign as king (Jer. 23:5-6). He is now reigning over his kingdom (Mt. 16-18; I Cor. 15:22-26).

VIII. Zechariah said, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch” (Christ) would build the temple of the Lord, (the church I Cor. 3:16-17; 6: 19-20), and that he would sit and rule on his throne and be a priest on his throne (Zech.6:12-13). Note that Christ would rule upon his throne and be a priest upon his throne at the same time. He is reigning as our high priest now (Heb. 7:1-28), and on God’s throne now (Acts 2:24-35; I Cor. 15:22-26).

IX. The doctrine of Premillennialism is false from beginning to end. It is based primarily on a wrong interpretation of Rev. 20:1-6 and I Thess. 4:16-17. John saw souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus reigning (Rev. 20:4). The thousand years is no more a literal 1,000 years (Ps. 50:10; Dt. 7:9) than the chain and key of 20:1-2 are literal. The 1,000 years is referring to almost the entire Christian dispensation. The first resurrection of Rev.20:6 is a spiritual resurrection in Christ (John 5:24-25) which delivers one from spiritual death into life in Christ (Rom.6:3-7; Eph.2:1, 2:5; Col.2: 11-13). Note that the second death (Rev. 20:6) which is the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14, 21:8) will not have power over those who have part in the first resurrection.

X. The Bible teaches that the bodies of the righteous and the wicked will be raised at the same time (IIThess. 1:6-10), and will be judged at the same time (Jn. 5: 28-29; Dan. 12:2; I Thess. 5:1-7; Mt. 25: 31-46; I Cor. 15:50-58).