The Certainty of Jesus’ Coming Kingship
How Revelation 19, the Hallel Psalms, and the Lord’s Last Supper point to Christ’s future millennial kingdom in Israel.
Before Christ visibly returns to begin His reign here on earth, a hallelujah rings out in heaven: “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Rev 19:6).
How did Jesus teach His disciples to pray? The English Standard Version translates it this way: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:9-10).
When Jesus Christ appears in glory, it is certain: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!” Jesus, as God the Son, brings divine rule to earth with His return.
When Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and instituted the Lord’s Supper under the New Covenant, He sang a hymn with them. “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives” (Matt 26:30). This hymn was one of the so-called Hallel Psalms: the hallelujah Psalms from 113—118. For example, Psalm 116:13 reads, “I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.”
In this context, the Lord announces, “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matt 26:29).
With these phrases, the disciples gain the assurance that He will return to establish His kingdom. In the meantime, the church doesn’t sound a single hallelujah (there isn’t one to be found in any of the Apostles’ letters). Only in Revelation—the final book of the Bible, which announces His rule over Israel—is the hallelujah sung again.
Just as the English king and all his attendants rose from their seats at the premiere of Handel’s great “Hallelujah Chorus,” it will also be at the Great Hallelujah at the end of redemptive history, when the Lord establishes His rule. The whole world will rise.
“Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD” (Psalm 148:11-14).
The Church Age, which exists between the Last Supper and His return, is bridged. Now the Lord will again drink of the fruit of the vine, because the marriage of the Lamb is taking place.
“And in this mountain [Zion] shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (Is 25:6-9).
Midnight Call - 02/2022
