ix. 7. _Of the increase of His government, &c._
If any man asks, "Concerning whom does the Prophet write these
things?" the answer is, "Concerning Christ." "Of the increase of
_His_ government and peace there shall be no end."[1] The world has
seen many great empires, that bade fair to be everlasting, crumble
away; and in view of the history of the past, it is unreasonable to
believe that any modern empire, except so far as it is obedient to
Christ, will be more durable. This is a world of change, and it is
vain to hope that political revolutions are altogether things of the
past. Two thousand years hence, should the present era so long
continue, the map of this will be very different from what it is
to-day. But the empire of Christ is to continue for ever. Unlike all
other empires, it is to be continually progressing in extent and
cohesion.
_What are our grounds for believing this?_ +I. The distinct promises
of Scripture+ (Ps. ii. 8, xxii. 27, lxxxii. 8-11; Dan. vii. 13, 14).
For a Christian this is sufficient. But even to those whose reverence
for God's Word is most profound and unquestioning, it is interesting
to see--+II.+ That +the nature of things+[2] is all in favour of the
fulfilment of this prediction. Under this division of our subject,
look at some of the differences between all human empires and the
empire of Christ. 1. As to their _origin._ They have usually been
created by the genius and energy of some great man. But even such men
as David, Alexander, and Cæsar are mortal, and because it is
impossible to secure a constant succession of men of genius, the
empires they found crumble away. To David and Solomon succeeds a
Rehoboam, and Rehoboam means ruin. But Christ wields the enormous
"power of an endless life."[3] 2. As to their _progress._ (1.) Vast
empires fall to pieces by reason of their very vastness. Time brings
many changes even to great empires, and among them at least a
temporary weakening of the central power; the heart is enfeebled, and
the whole body is enfeebled and begins to decay. (2.) Great empires
afford multiplied opportunities for great corruption, and this
ultimately kills a state. (3.) Great empires include many conflicting
interests; there is a perpetual struggle to maintain the balance of
power; mutinies and rebellions are inevitable, and in the end some of
these are successful, and the empire is broken. But none of these
things can happen in the empire of Christ; none of these causes will
tend to check the increase of _His_ government. 3. As to their
_aims._ This is a consideration even more important and vital than
the others. All empires have really had for their aim the
aggrandisement of some ambitious man or nation. The inspiring motive
has been supremely selfish. Hence fraud and force have been
unhesitatingly employed for their advancement, and, because God
really rules on earth as well as in heaven, these things, though they
secure a temporary triumph, ultimately lead to inevitable ruin
(H. E. I. 4612, P. D. 2544, 2995). By similar means the great empire
has to be maintained, and in every part of it there are millions
watching for an opportunity to subvert it by the same means; because
its aims are selfish, it is hated, not loved, by those over whom it
triumphs. But the inspiring aims of Christ's empire are righteousness
and peace; it is to extend these blessings that His limitless
resources are employed; the manner in which these resources is
employed is in accordance with the ends sought; and hence (1) all the
laws of God's universe are on His side, and (2) He is loved most
intensely precisely by those over whom His authority is most
completely established.[4] +III.+ If any further confirmations of our
faith in Christ's ultimate triumph is needed, we have it in +the
history of the world since His crucifixion.+ When He was crucified
they nailed over His head the inscription, "THE KING OF THE JEWS." It
was intended to be an act of mockery; it was the declaration of a
great truth. And since then He has become the King of the Gentiles
also. The mighty empire that tried to stop the progress of His
kingdom was ground to powder in the conflict. And now by all the most
powerful kingdoms of the earth He is, nominally at least,
acknowledged as the supreme Authority. That which is nominal shall
become real (Rev. xi. 15).
Concerning the complete fulfilment of the prediction of our text, we
need therefore have no fear. And hence,--
1. We can look without dismay at the mighty forces arrayed against
Christ and His truth,--heathenism abroad and infidelity at home
(H. E. I. 642). 2. We can look forward to the future of the world
with hope. A golden age is yet to dawn (H. E. I. 3421-3423). 3. We
can labour for the extension of Christ's kingdom with all the hopeful
energy of those who know that the end of all their efforts is not
failure, but a glorious success (H. E. I. 979, 1161, 1162, 1166-1168).