Today we get a good dose of theology from this simple quote and how the writer applies it. Actually, verse 8 and 9 are one quote from Psalm 45, but we’re going to do some picking around and about them. This is more than enough for today.
But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. – Hebrews 1:8 NASB
Many skeptics and many less than orthodox sects and cults deny one simple claim of Christianity, the deity of Christ. They say He never claimed deity. They’ll tell you it just the traditions of man that assign deity to Jesus. But the writer of this letter apparently didn’t get the memo.
He pulls in a quote from Psalm 45 which is talking about the eternal throne of God and specifically assigns it to Jesus the only begotten Son. The whole point of this passage is to demonstrate that Jesus is superior to angels. What good is a quote about God’s throne if He’s not talking about Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God and has His place enthroned at the right hand of God the Father.
So get it settled in your heart and mind. Jesus is God. He is divine. He is eternal. He is all that goes with being God.
He is also “forever and ever.” I love that the Psalmist felt that forever didn’t communicate how long Christ will reign. He needed another “ever” in the equation to clarify just how eternally Jesus’ will reign.
One more thing, righteousness. The kingdom is a kingdom of righteousness. In the mouth of two or three witnesses–ok five–but who’s counting.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:7
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:10
“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:20
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. – Romans 14:17
The kingdom Jesus came preaching stretches on for all eternity and it’s standard is righteous.
If that doesn’t strike you as good news, it’s because you’re not privy to one little secret. Yes, it’s a kingdom of righteousness, but all the righteousness is His.
Paul talks about this in Philippians 3,
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, – Philippians 3:9
It’s not our works of the law and good deeds that make us fit for God’s kingdom, it’s the blood of the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. Jesus blood shed for us gives us entry into this kingdom. And our membership is enteral.
So maybe a kingdom of righteousness sounds like a bore to you.
Come back Monday, and we’ll take that notion apart.
Thanks for stopping by.
Come back again soon.
Ben
Catch up here.