While the continent of Europe hosts twelve sovereign monarchies, only seven of them are officially designated as kingdoms, and ruled by a king or a queen. The Netherlands is one of them.
Biblical times
In Biblical times, there were many kingdoms. Too many to count. Although the biblical history of the Jewish people is primarily focused on the Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the Bible also talks about 'the kingdoms of this world.' For example, in Jeremiah 10:6-7,
Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. Who would not fear you, O King of nations? That title belongs to you alone! Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms of the world, there is no one like you.
King of the nations
King of nations, that title belongs to God alone, although nowadays leaders in most kingdoms would not admit it. As always, there is a spiritual battle behind this, as we can read in 2 Corinthians 4:4,
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
God of this world
Satan, the god of this world (well, at least he thinks he is, as long as people let him), can blind the minds of people to the truth. A scary thought, if you ask me. He believes his rule and dominion are settled. He even told Jesus so.
Then the devil took him [Jesus] up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” (Luke 4:5-7).
The kingdoms are mine to give, he boasted. Jesus ignored his statement and went straight to the heart of the matter: whom do we worship? God or satan? The King of the nations who is the Prince of Peace, or the god of this crazy world?
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And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.
[Matthew 24:14]
➤Make sure to read my book 'No other gods.'
Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords both in this world and in the next. May we never forget that we are His sons and daughters, princes and princesses, and that's the only identity that should matter. Wonderful post, Marja!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your uplifting comment Martha Jane, I always appreciate your thoughts!
DeleteWhen here the Lord could say, "My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my servants had fought that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from hence", John 18:36. But of us, "made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father", Revelation 1:6.
ReplyDeleteIn due course there will be the fulfilment of: "And I heard as a voice of a great crowd, and as a voice of many waters, and as a voice of strong thunders, saying, Hallelujah, for the Lord our God the Almighty has taken to himself kingly power", Revelation 19:6.
In due course... that is well said. We have something to look forward to. Jesus is King! Thank you David for stopping by.
DeleteGreat Bible study on the Kingdoms.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brenda Kay, it is short and basic... maybe I will expand this study for a blog series.
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