Often Christians focus on Jesus’ role as Prophet or Priest, but leave unaddressed his role as King over all men and nations. William Symington, a 19th century Reformed Presbyterian and Scottish pastor, wrote Messiah the Prince to examine the particular significance of Jesus Christ as King.
Revelation 1:5 says that Christ is the “prince of the kings of the earth.” What obligations does this place upon the civil magistrate? What obligations might this place upon the people who are governed, including those people who vote for their civil magistrate? Of what significance is the truth that the One who was the atoning sacrifice for His people (the Priest) and the one who spoke and taught the Word in its fullness (the Prophet) is also the Ruler of all (the King)? What might it mean when Jesus said, “Make all nations My disciples”?
Symington answers these questions is a way that will push some modern Christians past their comfort zone. He makes that case that Christ is reigning now and that all nations must answer to Him, and it is the Church’s responsibility to make that call on the nations, their governors and their governed.
his is the classic and unsurpassed work on the doctrine of Christ's mediatorial reign over all things in heaven and earth.
The doctrine of the mediatorial reign of Jesus Christ declares that at His ascension Jesus Christ was exalted to sit at the right hand of God the Father, and was invested with supreme authority over all things in heaven and on earth (Ps. 2:6-12; 110:1-2; Dan. 7:13-14; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 2:33-36; Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-22; Phil. 2:9-11). Christ is not only the Head of the church, but Lord of all; His authority extends over all men, nations, and spheres of life, including the sphere of civil government. No one has ever articulated the doctrine of the mediatorial reign of Jesus Christ with as much clarity, vigor, and spiritual power as William Symington; and his message is needed today more than ever. In reading this book the mind is enlightened, and the spirit is stirred. Symington's work inspires zeal for Jesus Christ in all His mediatorial power and glory. A true Christian cannot read it without being moved to worship anew the King of kings, and to earnestly contend for His crown rights in all spheres of life.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Necessity of Christ's Mediatorial Dominion
Chapter 2 - Reality of Christ's Mediatorial Dominion
Chapter 3 - Christ's Qualifications for the Kingly Office
Chapter 4 - Appointment of Christ to Mediatorial Dominion
Chapter 5 - Spirituality of Christ's Mediatorial Dominion
Chapter 6 - Universality of Christ's Mediatorial Rule
Chapter 7 - Kingly Office of Christ in Relation to the Church
Chapter 8 - Mediatorial Dominion of Christ over the Nations
Chapter 9 - Mediatorial Dominion of Christ over the Nations (cont.)
Chapter 10 - Perpetuity of Christ's Mediatorial Dominion