When Jesus was born an angel told his mother that one day he would be the king of Israel and sit on the throne of his ancestor David,
And the angel said to [Mary]… you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus… And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever
Luke 1:30-33
Many years earlier the prophet Isaiah had prophesied, in words used in Handel’s oratorio Messiah, that one day a child would be born who would take over David’s throne and be King of Israel and he would reign forever.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
Isaiah 9:6–7
Another prophet, Jeremiah, tells us this throne will still be in Jerusalem, where David’s throne was and adds that not only Israel but all nations will gather there. Jesus will be King of all the world, not just Israel.
At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the Lord in Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 3:17
However we are told in the Bible that Jesus died without ever being a king, in fact he suffered a criminal’s death by crucifixion, although above him on his cross was a sign that read:
This is the King of the Jews
Luke 23:28
After Jesus’ death and subsequent resurrection one of his followers, Peter, inspired by God, spoke of how Jesus had been raised from the dead and was now with God.
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God… Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.
Acts 2:32-36
The name Christ means ‘Anointed’ and indicates Jesus’ kingship and Jesus himself told of the time in the future when he would sit on his throne as king of all nations
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations
Matt 25:31
So one day soon Jesus will return to earth to sit on his glorious throne in Jerusalem as King of all the nations of the earth.
