Essentially . . . It Is One of Righteousness
Concerning Christ's Kingdom
By Albert G. Stoner, Jr.
"But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows" (Heb. 1:8,9; cf. Ps. 45:6,7).
Introduction. With regard to God's unswerving love of tenacious regard for righteousness, this is not something new taught only by the Apostles. It is a thought that is found throughout the pages of Scripture.
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" queried our father Abraham (Gen. 18:25). And again, "The righteous Lord loveth righteousness," declared the Psalmist (Ps. 11:7). And Again, we have this word from the forty-eighth Psalm, "Thy right hand is full of righteousness" (Ps. 48:10).
God is a "God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He" (Deut. 32:4). And, "There is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts" (II Chron. 19:7). And, finally, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity" (Hab. 1:13).
But the point of reference in our text is with particular regard to the Son of God. "But unto the Son He saith . . ." The point of apostolic focus here is the Son's love for righteousness and His hatred for wickedness. We see here also an index to the heart of the Father as this was the grounds of His appointment of the Son to take charge of the salvational enterprise. If "the way into the holiest" was to be opened again to those who had sinned and "come short of the glory of God," it would have to be done by One who had absolutely no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, and whose love for righteousness was undiminished and unflagging.
And such was the case with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is said of Him that "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth" (Isa. 42:4).
The Kingdom of Reference. The kingdom spoken of here is Christ's, i.e., the mediatorial one, the one that was "appointed" to Him by the Father (Lk. 22:29). This is the kingdom that would rule in the midst of enemies' oppositions (Ps. 110:1, 2). It is the kingdom whose dominion would be proclaimed as good news throughout the length and breadth of the earth (Mt. 24:14). And it is the one which Jesus will deliver back to the Father after that all wicked rule and authority and power have been "put down" (I Cor. 15:24).
In a word, this kingdom is set for bringing home of the ransomed ones, the saved of all ages who had fallen prey to the dominion and wiles of the Devil. And it is set for the "removal of all that offend" and them which do iniquity.
The power of this dominion shall gather the wheat into the barn of eternal salvation and it shall bind the tares in bundles and cast them into everlasting fire "prepared for the Devil and his angels."
This Kingdom's Uniqueness. Everything about this kingdom is distinguished by righteousness, and righteousness is the preeminent characteristic. It was essential that this be the case with regard to the matter of eternal redemption. It was a great investment that the Father was going to undertake in bringing home His banished ones, the ones created in His own image. And this redemptive undertaking must be established in righteousness.
The judgments regarding the redeemed ones, as to their acceptance, shall be uncontested and incontestable, because of the righteous nature of this dominion. And so also concerning the judgments regarding the lost and their being eternally rejected by God.
Everyone that is accepted of God by faith shall have come into the kingdom in the appointed way, they shall have continued in the faith, as is required, they shall be ministered an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom in the approved way, and none shall climb up another way. The appointed way is, of course, obedience to the gospel and continuance in the faith.
To put this another way, when it comes to the matter of the execution of God's eternal purpose in Christ, the purpose must be implemented righteously. Whether calling sinners to repentance, sustaining the repentant ones, the believing ones, breaking down the "middle wall of partition," deposing principalities and powers, or binding the "strongman," the work and purpose must have a righteous foundation.
Christ's was not a scepter of mercy, or of love, or of longsuffering, but a scepter of righteousness. Mercy cannot divide between the sheep and the goats, but righteousness can, and shall make the division. Love cannot discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not, but righteousness can. Longsuffering cannot divide asunder between the flesh and the spirit, but righteousness can.
I summon you all to a revitalized appreciation for our righteous King. Truly, none of you would want. any goats or tares or unregenerated flesh, or any who are not God's servants, to enter into the world to come. And they shall not be there, because of Christ's righteous scepter.
If it is to be an everlasting salvation, then it must have a thoroughly righteous foundation, and be established by a thoroughly righteous King and kingdom. The righteousness of this scepter shall guarantee that all who are accounted worthy of obtaining that world shall "go no more out." No more expulsions shall be in that realm, because every one there has an entrance which is established in the holy character of God Himself.
The kingdom and the scepter is righteous, not inherently so, but because of the righteous King who sits upon the throne. Without Him there would be no righteous kingdom and scepter. Christ's very love for righteousness and His hatred for iniquity set in motion the kingdom's operation and its dynamic power for reclaiming sinners from their state of lostness and undoneness. At the cross the very issue which was at stake was the fact that God could not and would not compromise His love for righteousness and His hatred for sin. His mercy, love, and grace, which were manifested in His reclaiming of sinners, are built upon this moral foundation. Christ Jesus is "a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God" and His appointment as such has a righteous foundation.
And thus, it is an impregnable and an unimpeachable bulwark for returning sinners and for those with the feeling of inward infirmity Godward. His enablement to be touched is builded upon a righteous foundation.
The righteousness of the law declared that "the soul that sinneth, it shall die." The righteousness of Christ's kingdom declares, by way of contrast, You shall surely live, but you must come by the appointed way. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (Jn. 14:6). "And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16:15, 16).
Other Dominions Contrasted. There have been kingdoms of this world which were eminent for certain things, some even commendable things. Some were noted for their strength (Babylon), some for restoration (Josiah), some for territorial expansion (David), some for wickedness (Ahab).
Some kingdoms have even been remembered for their benevolence, but the scepter of Christ's kingdom shall forever be preeminently known for a love for righteousness and hatred for iniquity. Love is forever established upon this sure foundation, mercy rejoices greatly and is firmly planted upon this firm, immovable base, and grace reigns through righteousness by Jesus
Christ our Lord!
An Error Exposed. The "once saved, always saved" doctrine
and others, as well, flourish because of a failure to see Jesus as
He is in truth. "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity."
Men are encouraged by this teaching in its various forms to minimize the jeopardy of willful sinning because of their blindness to Christ's unswerving hatred for iniquity. The subtle effect of this doctrine is that this love and hatred are esteemed to be inconsequential.
The point of revelation here pertains to the very heart of the Son of God-His "likes and dislikes," His love and hatred, that which He greatly esteems and that which causes the greatest revulsion in Him. As faith beholds Him, men are changed into the very same image, from faith to faith. This love for righteousness and hatred for wickedness are assimilated into the very character of the ones believing the record which God has given of His Son.
For the one who has obeyed the gospel, the vision of Christ by faith is a very blessed one. There is no cause of drawing back in Him. "He is altogether lovely," and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
This is particularly relevant when considering the exceeding sinful age in which we live. The Lord Jesus Christ is rarely proclaimed or known in this generation, with regard to His moral predispositions.
Let us, by faith, then follow His steps. May it be said of us who have believed on the Savior that they "loved righteousness and hated iniquity," and so glorify His holy Name. --From the February 1992 issue of The Banner of Truth
