One of the most complete prophesies of the power and authority given to the promised Messiah is found in Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given, And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
The promise to David found in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 says that one of David’s dependents would build a house for God’s name and that His throne would last forever. The time of this king’s appearance was given in a series of visions to Daniel and recorded mostly in Daniel chapters 2, 7, and 9.
Other information is given by other prophets. The place of His birth is given in Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” His entry into Jerusalem to become king is prophesied by Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah said that a priest would set on the throne. Zechariah 6:11-13 Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place, He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD; Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne…” They wondered how a Levite could inherit David’s throne even though David prophesied the priest would be after the order of Melchizedek, Psalm 110:4.
But the greatest problem to understanding is found in Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12. How could this happen to the exalted King of Israel?
Fortunately, all of these great mysteries are revealed in the New Testament. The birth of the “Herald of the King” Isaiah 40:1-5, John the Baptist was announced to Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth Luke 1:11-25; John 1:19-37. Six months later, the birth of the King was announced to Mary by the same angel of the Lord Luke 1:30-33.
John pointed to and encouraged his disciples to follow Jesus. It seems the first person other than John to recognize the man Jesus as the promised King was Nathanael in John 1:48-49. Then many others who saw the mighty signs that Jesus did think that He must be the Prophet, the Priest, and the King “who has come into the world,” John 6:14-15.
Jesus, knowing that His time had come to offer Himself up for the sins of all, came to Jerusalem where first the prophecies of Zechariah 9:9 would be fulfilled John 12:12-16; then those of Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 were fulfilled John 18 and 19. During His final trial Pilot asked Jesus if He was a King. John 18:37. Jesus reply was firm YES, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Pilate, therefore, wrote a title and put it on the cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” It was written in Hebrew- the language of the country, in Greek – the common language, and in Latin – the official language of Rome. This was as close to recognizing the Kingship of Jesus as can be found in Roman records.
Then at sunrise three days later Jesus rose from death to glorious life John 20. Jesus told the disciples that, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” Matthew 28:18. And after giving them several more instructions He was lifted into the heavens and placed upon the throne forever. Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:6-9; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 5:5-6
John records the vision of the triumphant King in Revelation 19:11-16 ESV. Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems (diadēma – royal crowns), and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
