Throughout history, kings have ruled over subjects. Yet while many Christians readily affirm their own kingship through Christ’s atonement, they seldom ask whom they are to govern. This is not because Scripture is silent on the matter, but perhaps because Bible teachers rarely address it. Revelation 1:6 is often cited to affirm this kingship, while its foundation—the priesthood of Christ and its broader implications—receives less attention.

I believe this oversight partly results from a loose understanding of the old covenant as “a shadow of the things to come.” To apply this truth fully, we must recognize that the essential patterns of the old order are represented in the new. Some even argue that the Sabbath has no continuing significance before Christ’s glorious appearing. But if so, upon what is their priesthood established? Priesthood requires those called to service to remain in unwavering agreement with God. “The Levites shall be mine,” God declared; and, “Can two walk together except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3). To belong wholly to God, then, is to lay aside self and rest completely in Him—a perpetual Sabbath. Anything less leaves believers vulnerable through ignorance, for “my people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

Returning to the main point: where there is kingship, there must be subjects. Over whom, then, are the Church to be kings, princes, and governors? The Old Testament—the shadow—offers an answer. Psalm 45:16 says, “Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.” I understand this promise as extending beyond its immediate recipients to the “Israel of God”—the Church.

The psalmist prophetically describes the order of the coming kingdom. The Lord likewise promises, “He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron” (Rev. 2:26–27). Some may say this applies only to the millennial reign. But what, then, are we to make of the declaration, “The kingdom(s) of this world are become the kingdom(s) of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15)? Or again: “the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him, …and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 22:3–5).

We should also remember that Scripture repeatedly presents the kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ as the continuation and fulfillment of David’s throne. God promised David, “if thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee … a man on the throne of Israel” (1 Kings 2:4). David’s descendants, however, failed to keep the covenant and turned to other gods, and in time the people were carried into captivity. Although some later returned and rebuilt the ruins, the kingdom never regained its former stability, until the One to whom it rightfully belonged came (Ezk. 21:27)—the One of whom God declared, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Before His manifestation, God repeatedly reaffirmed through the prophets His covenant purpose (Jer. 23:5; Jer. 30:7–9; Ezk. 34:22–25; Ezk. 37:21–26).

I also believe the Lord revealed this truth personally to me. While praying under a burden of heart on July 19, 2002, these words came to me: “Because God loved David, He promised to set him upon the throne in Israel forever; this He will soon accomplish in Christ. And He will put all things under His feet.” To understand fully Christ’s kingship as the extension of David’s throne, we must recognize David’s reign as a shadow of the eternal reign of glory.

The events of David’s reign can therefore deepen our understanding. In David, as ultimately in Jesus, God illustrated the principle that “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God” (2 Sam. 23:3). Scripture also says, “Behold, I have given him [David] for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people” (Isaiah 55:4). David was accordingly described as “a man after mine own heart.” This language anticipates the divine approval spoken of Jesus at the transfiguration and cited in 2 Pet. 1:17.

David thus served as an example of godly government to his generation and beyond. Yet, being human and subject to sin, David incurred God’s displeasure through his wrongdoing concerning Uriah. Nevertheless, God maintained His everlasting covenant with him. David continued to reign as God subdued his enemies beneath him. In his song of deliverance, David testified: “God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect … He teacheth my hands to war … I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them. And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet… Them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me… Thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me. Strangers shall submit themselves unto me” (2 Sam. 22:33–45). Continue here