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 armies will accomplish this.

The Child mentioned in the above verses is clearly a promise of Jesus, the Son of God. At first glance, this prophecy from Isaiah may seem contradictory. Our world actually has very little peace, justice, and righteousness, at least if one considers the latest news reports and releases. If anything, our world seems to go more bonkers with each passing year. Jesus stated himself that He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. He predicted we would be persecuted, that family members would betray one another, and authorities would be against us. He also said we would be flogged and arrested.

Matthew 10:17, 18-19a Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you…

Matthew 10:21-23a Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.

We see little of peace and justice in this world. Did Isaiah hear the Lord correctly? Maybe he got it wrong? After all, he said Jesus was to establish His government. If that’s the case, would not we expect more peace, justice and righteousness in our world? It would have started and continued from Jesus’ birth, and forevermore. Instead, we often see ungodly agendas driven by antagonistic leaders. Governments worldwide are increasingly coercive and establishing themselves more deeply than ever. 

Where is the government of Jesus? Did His government fail? Has the ministry of the Son of God been unsuccessful or ineffective? 

Simply put, the answers to the last two questions are “no!” Don’t lose heart in the Lord!Jesus has done, and continues to do what God promised through Isaiah. His government is increasing. But some perspective is in order. The kingdom of God does not operate as many people would expect. If we have confidence that manmade governments will offer what the government of Jesus offers, we’ll be disappointed. Therefore, let’s identify some basic characteristics and thoughts we should embrace in order to experience the peace Isaiah promised from the government of Jesus. 

Be Like Children

Jesus said we must receive the kingdom of God (kingdom of heaven) like a little child.

Luke 18:17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

Just as children are not powerful physically, nor do they have great influence, the kingdom of God does not operate by coercive power or political influence.

Repentance

The government of Jesus (His kingdom) is at hand for those who repent from their mistakes.

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

The Kingdom is Unseen, but in Our Midst

While it’s true the kingdom of God cannot be seen, we should realize it is in our midst.

Luke 17:21b …the kingdom of God is in your midst.

The kingdom of God is unseen – it’s in the spiritual realm. We may not see His kingdom, but it actually does rest on His shoulders, so to speak. Millions and billions have entered His kingdom since He was born more than 2,000 years ago. It continues to be established, even today.

 

Jesus Lifted Up to Draw People

Jesus lived a perfect life, so people who look for peace and justice admire His character. He had a loving demeaner in spite of cruel treatment. God allowed Him to be lifted up to display His stellar nature. The cross of Christ continues to draw many seeking to be governed by Him in the kingdom of heaven.

John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.

God’s plan is working as Isaiah stated it would. His kingdom has been increasing over the millennia. Over multiple centuries, many have lived who gave their lives to Jesus. Many are willing to be guided by the Wonderful Counselor whose yoke is comfortable and burden light. 

Matthew 11:30 For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.

Summing it up, those that are like little children are the ones included in Jesus’ government. We don’t become a part of His kingdom by military might or political influence. Only those who repent can be in His fold and benefit from the increase of His government. As the Wonderful Counselor of His kingdom, He provides a comfortable yoke and light burden. The devil uses force and coercion to rule over his subjects in this world. Since we’re on this side of heaven, the government of Jesus can sometimes look like it’s not growing. But we don’t see the spiritual realm; so, our view is not always accurate.

 

The God of This World Versus the Government of Jesus

Future events predicted by the Bible show how the government of Jesus will eventually be seen on Earth. It will happen at the proper time, as His authority rightly and justly continues to magnify in stages throughout the world’s upcoming history. Regarding this thought, I’ve included some excerpts below from my book, Roots of the Kingdom. (Pages referenced.)

 

The God of This World

God’s actions in our time in history are not directed at repairing evil. He could do that with one brushstroke. He’s using our age of rebellion to allow the sheep and the goats to choose their state of heart. This era is temporarily necessary (for millennia) to separate good and evil free will agents. Make no mistake—His face is against those who do evil. But He is far more patient than many people think He is. (Roots, p. 97)

Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

The dark governments influenced by the god of this world are not our friends. Keep in mind; it was a government and religious organization that killed Jesus. Those are the very entities the devil will use in the end times to take control. (Roots, P. 159) Don’t lose heart when you see worldly governments become coercive and use hostile actions against God’s people, seeking to take your liberties.

Because Satan and his angels are still actively working, outward peace and happiness in the world are not only implausible but impossible. They and humans who align with the Kingdom of Darkness only bring chaos, confusion, and war. Eventually, there will be an apocalypse called the Great Tribulation. (Roots, P. 200)

The Government of Jesus Increases Outwardly

At the conclusion of those days, the serpent will have exhausted his purpose of “assisting” God to separate good from evil. Eventually, we will enter a final millennial period (1,000 years) when Satan and his angels will be bound. That’s when they will be thrust down to Sheol and held in the recesses of the pit. (Roots Pgs. 152-153)

Revelation 20:1-3 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.

When the devil and his advocates are blocked from deceiving us any longer, there will be peace. (Roots, P. 200) Jesus will be present to govern justly and righteously for a thousand years. It will be the most magnificent kingdom this Earth has experienced. During this time, there will be wholesome choices of activities along with peace and goodwill. (Roots, P. 201) Jesus will outwardly be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace. At the end of the 1,000-year reign of Jesus, Satan will be released. He will begin his rebellion again but this time Jesus will end it with a brushstroke. All humans by now have shown which kingdom they are faithful to, good or evil. (Roots, P. 170)

 

Satan Released

Satan will immediately begin to deceive the nations, so he and his followers will go to war again. God does not allow it to endure; fire descends from Heaven and devours them. Let’s allow Scripture to reveal his final demise at the end of the age. (Roots, P. 201)

Revelation 20:10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Outlook of Today’s World

The millennia (thousands of years) of spiritual warfare we are experiencing on Earth, while Satan and his cohorts lead, will be a short time compared to eternity. It seems that God permits the fight, so humans learn and realize the impropriety of coercing and oppressing others in authoritarian relationships and regimes, as Satan has always done. For millennia under the former seraph’s leadership as the god of this world, we’ll never know peace. (Roots, P. 201)

When The Government of Jesus Reigns

The destiny of heavenly hosts is to rule with God over the heavens, while the destiny of humans is to rule with God on earth. While it appears as though the realms will remain separated, the Bible indicates that in the future, there will be a friendly mix of relationships between heavenly and earthly creatures. (Roots P. 170) God’s faithful will eventually have heavenly bodies and will live in a new Earth connected with Heaven. (Roots P. 385)

Revelation 21:1a Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away.

In the future, the friends of God will live in a matrix where everyone seeks to do the right thing. All will have the freedom to do any activities they want because there will be no law against doing what’s right. (Roots P. 386)

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

In the new matrix, everyone will respect and honor the natural rights of others, as living according to the law of liberty is the only sustainable way to exist for eternity in peace and love, where all have the freedom to prosper. The great servants of God have all taught the law of liberty. In quite a number of places, the Bible describes the freedom we’ll enjoy when we live under that law (the KJV specifically uses the word “liberty”). (Roots P. 386)

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Cor. 3:17).

The Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18).

We will be judged by the law of liberty (James 2:12).

We will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom. 8:21).

Stand fast in liberty and don’t be entangled in the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1).

We have been called unto liberty, we must not use it to offend others, but by love serve others (Gal. 5:13).

Don’t use your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but be servants of God (1 Peter 2:16).

God’s motives behind Old Testament events are not often stated, and people typically ignore God’s intention of providing liberty to those in His kingdom. (Roots P. 387)

 Yearning for the Government of Jesus

The government of Jesus will increase, just as Isaiah said it would. However, as we learned above, Jesus said we may be persecuted on His account. But He’s still in our midst.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.

While there is not always outward peace in our world, we can have inward peace in our hearts when we uphold God’s purposes. Let’s keep our eyes on the future prophetic events that are sure to come, and remember the prize. We need to put aside every encumbrance and run the race to win. It is not only the heavenly hosts who look upon us but the faithful who have gone before us. They are a great cloud of witnesses to our faith. They are watching intently, hoping we have the vision to navigate this world. They rejoice at our accomplishments and successes and mourn when we lose our ways. Aside from the Lord Himself, they are our biggest fans. (Roots P. 203)

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The books in Heaven will record the moral races in our individual lives. The writings of angels will bring to remembrance the warm moments of our faith. In eternity, many witnesses will know of the pearl (faith) that provided us with vision in this dark world. (Roots P. 110)

I always enjoy hearing any thoughts you may have.

Until next time, all the best to you.

Glenn