June 6, 2004

THE RULER

"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 have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2, NKJV).

In prophetic vision Micah saw Christ coming to be ruler over Israel. He is portrayed as the one "whose goings forth have been... from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). Of Him it is said: "From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father."--The Desire of Ages, p. 19.

The One to be "ruler in Israel" (Micah 5:2, NKJV) is clearly the preexistent One who was to be born in Bethlehem as the world's Redeemer. He first came to earth to inaugurate the kingdom of grace as the preparatory stage for the kingdom of glory. Throughout the four Gospels we find the recurring announcement of the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory. Christ inaugurated His rule with the memorable Sermon on the Mount as the manifesto of His kingdom (see Matthew 5). In this spiritual kingdom, Christ is the ruler of a new humanity from all races and cultures who have accepted His atoning sacrifice.

The invisible kingdom of grace will eventually give way to the visible kingdom of glory. It is then, that the ruler of spiritual Israel will appear in glory and divine power (see Matthew 24:30). Then will Micah's prophecy of the everlasting ruler meet its ultimate realization. This resplendent event will finally usher in the long-awaited coronation of our great ruler (see Revelation 14:14). "Soon we shall witness the coronation of our King. Those whose lives have been hidden with Christ... will shine forth with the Redeemer's glory in the Kingdom of God."--Conflict and Courage, p. 353.

My Prayer Today: Lord, may the everlasting ruler be the ruler of my life forever. Amen.