The Kingdom and Its King
EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas
Isaiah prophesied about 700 years before the time of Christ and is one of the most influential prophets of the Old Testament. Many of his prophecies warn rebellious Israel of impending judgment, admonish them to repent of iniquity, and point to the hope of the restoration of the kingdom of God. Some of the more memorable prophecies of the Messiah are found in the book of Isaiah. For example, the prediction that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a Son is found in Isaiah 7:14. Another prominent prophecy is found in Isaiah 9:6-7:
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this,” (New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update) Read More
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.”
The word of God is a gut hook. It’s as sharp as a two-edged sword that cuts us to the heart. It’s a brightly lit mirror that brings our repulsive marred souls into sharp relief. It’s a light that shines into our darkness, exposing us for who we really are.
One does not have to look far in the Scriptures to learn God has a special place in His heart for “orphans and widows,” those who are incapable of providing for themselves (Malachi 3:5). Christ maintained the “poor” you have always with you (Matthew 26:11), not to discourage His followers from helping the poor, but to alert them to this reality. Articles on the church and its role in benevolence are essential because too many begin to examine the question with their “emotions on their sleeves” and reach “emotion-driven” conclusions that force them to act outside of the authority of the Scriptures (Colossians 3:17). Benevolence, or assistance to those in need, is not difficult to understand if we “first give ourselves to the Lord” as those of Macedonia did in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. Whether it be through the church or as an individual, we should do what we are able to do because it is in accord with Christ’s desire for His people to share what they have been blessed with (1 Timothy 6:17-19). 
