The establishment of God's covenant with Noah and his seed was connected with the introduction of the most simple elements of judicial authority (Gen. 9:99And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; (Genesis 9:9)). To man, in the person of Adam, had been entrusted power over all the inferior tribes of living creatures, but we find no trace of the scepter or the sword among men themselves, as ruling over, or subject to, one another till the days of Noah. Then it was that the solemn principle was established, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." Gen. 9:66Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6).
This power in man's hand over the life of his fellowman, as a restraint upon the violence which would otherwise fill the earth, is the fundamental principle of government. It characterizes all the ages from the flood to the close of the millennial period. In that period the government of the earth will be in the hand of Christ. In what other hands could it be the means of universal blessing?
Passing by the instances in which this power has been based on nothing but military success or human will (Nimrod's kingdom is the first recorded example), it is well known that God has entrusted to man repeated grants of power to be held and exercised in responsibility to Himself, while the nations at large were left to their own ways on account of their idolatry. Abraham was separated by the call of God from idolatry, and the nation that sprang from his loins became the scene of God's manifested government.
While not dwelling on the period during which that government existed as a pure theocracy—God appointing first Moses, then Joshua, and afterward raising up judges from time to time—we need to be reminded of David's elevation to the throne. God made a covenant with him and with his house. To David and his offspring was the power of the sword entrusted, with the responsibility of using it according to the laws and directions of God Himself. But they were not faithful to this deposit. So awfully did they employ this heaven-entrusted power in rebellion against God and slaughter of God's prophets and messengers that they and their land were given up to judgment and desolation. God removed His throne from Jerusalem, the city of His choice.
At that time God made another grant of power to Nebuchadnezzar and his successors among the Gentiles. This was unaccompanied by God's presence and the direction of His laws which had been connected with His throne at Jerusalem. The throne of the Lord was never set up at Babylon, but a man was placed there to whom "the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory" He informed him by the prophet that wheresoever the children of men dwelt, the beasts of the field and the fowls of heaven had He given into his hand, and made him ruler over them all.
His kingdom was to be succeeded by another one inferior to it, and that by a third, and then a fourth which was to be found in existence at the last great crisis. At that time God Himself would set up a kingdom that should never be destroyed. That kingdom should not be left to other people, but should break in pieces and consume all these other kingdoms and stand forever. That is the millennial kingdom.
If it should be asked, "How can a kingdom be said to stand forever which is limited in its duration to a thousand years?" the answer is obvious. The passage itself defines the sense in which it is said to "stand forever." These words do not imply that there will be a kingdom on earth for all eternity, but that as long as there is a kingdom on earth, this one shall endure. It shall not be left to other people. That is, it shall not pass away and be followed by a sixth empire, as the four previous kingdoms pass away and give place to this one. This shall be the last-the final monarchy. When Christ delivers it up to the Father, having put down all rule and all authority and power, it is not that another kingdom may be set up, but that "God may be all in all." All the dispensations having run their course, the unchanging, eternal state will ensue.
W. Trotter
Delay is not denial.
God will come in at the right moment.
"My soul, wait thou only upon God;
for my expectation is from Him.”