Grace and Glory

David, a shepherd boy, was anointed as the future king of Israel. But it would be several years before he would sit on the throne. The arduous journey from pasture to palace was marked with much tribulation.

Eventually, all the elders came to Hebron and “they anointed David king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:3). This was the third time David was anointed. The first was by Samuel in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:13), and the second was by the men of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4).

At this point in David’s reign, a capital for the kingdom had not yet been secured. It was after David’s third anointing that Jerusalem was conquered and the ark of the covenant was brought to the city with much rejoicing. There are parallels we see between David’s reign as king and Jesus’ own kingdom.

When Christ was anointed by the heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit at His baptism (Matthew 3:13–17), He entered a period of tribulation in the wilderness. After defeating Satan’s temptations, Christ announced, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). This was speaking of the kingdom of grace that was first offered to humans after Adam and Eve sinned. It would be established by Christ’s death, and people could become citizens through regeneration. “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

The kingdom of glory will be established at the Second Coming.

Following the judgment, after the work of our High Priest is completed, God the Father will give Jesus “dominion and glory and a kingdom” (Daniel 7:14). Soon the kingdom of glory will be established on this Earth at the end of the millennium when the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven (Revelation 21:10, 11). Will you be a part of that kingdom?

Apply It:

Have you ever visited—or do you live in—a country with a monarch?

Dig Deeper:

Mark 1:15; Luke 17:20, 21; John 18:37

Key Bible Texts

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30 KJV)