Satan has been made known as the god of this age, blinding the mind of the unbeliever. Christ's resurrection too, which justifies all who believe in Him, becomes the distinct evidence of coming judgment. So the Apostle at Athens preaches in heart-searching language: "God... now commandeth all men every where to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead." Acts 17:30, 31. Thus Scripture is emphatic, proving how God holds the world guilty regarding His Son, in its hatred of Him who came in love and grace and in the glory of His own Person. His presentation according to promise and prophecy showed that He was the rightful God-appointed King. He was displayed as the divine Son and the King and as such He was rejected by the world's religious and civil representatives. They chose Barabbas and killed the Christ, God's Son, thereby closing the responsibility both of the nations and of boastful, religious Israel with its divinely given temple, earthly priesthood, and typical ritual.
It is blessed that all the sin of the world can never alter the purpose of God respecting His Son as His appointed heir to rule and reign for Him when He comes in universal dominion as Son of man and as King in Zion over all the earth. The Old Testament Scriptures abound with the glorious prospect. The very epistle to the Hebrews (which declares His present heavenly priesthood, and our worship in holy liberty before God without a veil or the smallest distance) speaks most clearly of the coming age of glory and blessing under the headship and rule of Jesus the Son of man. Chapter 2 speaks not of angels, but of Jesus as the Lord's appointed One to have all in subjection to Him.
But we are called to faith and patience in this day of grace when so many are deceived as to its nature and purpose, which is to take out of the world a people as God's sons for heavenly glory. If the believer knows what the future is to be for Christ, and sees things around to be exactly the opposite, faith, resting on God's intention regarding Him, looks meanwhile up into heaven, beholding Him crowned with glory and honor there. In these delusive times of outward greatness, of human boasting and pride, we may wonder when, how, and by whom are the rights, honor, and glory of God's King to be established? Surely God Himself will not fail to bring back His Son by ways and means and at a time least expected by the world, putting forth an irresistible power to subdue all enemies. The voice of Scripture speaks plainly of righteous judgment preceding and accompanying the appearing of the King of kings from heaven to establish His kingdom in power and glory.
In particular, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him," most emphatically makes known the coming glories of the once suffering and now exalted Lamb. His worthiness and redemption rights are declared in heaven, in view of being established, displayed, and universally owned. Yet seals are broken, trumpets blown, and vials poured out in their varied degrees of wrath, all before the shining forth of the hidden King of kings. Amid the closing sorrows that usher in His return, voices in heaven in Revelation 11 state the hour is come for the world kingdom of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. The redeemed elders celebrate it by falling on their faces and worshiping God for having taken to Himself His great power, and reigning. But earth is at issue as to this, for the nations are angry that God's wrath is come. This discloses the guilt, veiled though it be under religious profession. The nations of the earth will then prove to have nothing but hatred and opposition to God and His Anointed who, according to Psalm 2, will have the nations for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession. Then no longer hidden in heaven, like Joash in the temple of old, He comes forth from above, as we see in the emblem of glorious conquest seated on a white horse—the "Faithful and True"—who will judge and make war. Such is the description of Rev. 19:11-16, when the Lord Jesus will appear to this guilty and deceived world. Oh! the woe for those who now refuse Him as the Word of God in patient, matchless grace, only to be exposed to Him under the same title in unsparing judgment! For Christ is to smite the nations, and rule them with the rod of iron. The fierceness and wrath of Almighty God is His unmistakable testimony to Christ coming out of heaven to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Thank God, the believer's hope is heavenly, in character with his heavenly life and position, not of the world as Christ is not, but awaiting the fulfillment of His parting promise: "I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I. am, there ye may be also." Oh! to view things in accordance with God's thoughts and purpose for Christ the only Savior, and ruler of the kings of the earth, who will, after cleansing by judgment, fill the whole scene with glory, blessing, grace and righteousness.