A Permanent Heir to an Everlasting Kingdom

Admittedly, the idea of rulership in the line of David might seem farfetched to those Jewish exiles.  They have lost their land and even their nationhood! But that is just temporary.  Jehovah has not forgotten  his covenant with David.  No matter how unlikely  it seems from a human standpoint, God's purpose concerning an everlasting Kingdom in David's line will succeed.  But how and when?  In 537 B.C.E., Jehovah releases his people from Babylonian captivity and restores them to their homeland.  Does this result in the establishment of an indefinitely lasting kingdom?  No, they continue subject to another pagan empire, Medo-Persia.  "The appointed times" for the nations to have their rule have not yet expired.  (Luke 21:24)  With no king in Israel, the promise that Jehovah gave to David will remain unfulfilled for centuries to come. 

 More than 500 years after Israel's release from Babylonian captivity, Jehovah took a major step toward fulfilling the Kingdom covenant when he transferred the life of his firstborn Son, the beginning of his creative work, from heavenly glory into the womb of the Jewish virgin Mary.  (Colossians 1:15-17)  When announcing that event , Jehovah's angel told Mary: "This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; and Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule as king over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end of his kingdom."  (Luke 1:32, 33) So Jesus was born into the royal line of David and inherited the right of kingship.  Once enthroned, Jesus would rule "to time indefinite."  (Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:14) Thus the way was now open for the fulfillment of Jehovah's centuries-old promise to give King David a permanent heir. 

Next time: "Commander to the National Groups"

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001