CHAPTER IX. HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM

“And the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” Daniel 2:44.FEE 99.1

Here is presented a strong contrast between this kingdom and its predecessors. The Babylonian empire was mighty and magnificent. Its capital has never been equaled by any city on the earth. But it became exceedingly wicked, and the same Being who gave this dominion to Nebuchadnezzar, declared that it should be utterly destroyed. Belshazzar and his thousand lords, and his hosts of mighty ones, laughed to scorn the efforts of their invaders; they mocked and insulted the true and living God. But the sure word of prophecy was spoken against Babylon, and that word has never failed—it cannot fail. To show how wonderfully the prophecies of God are fulfilled, we will give quotations from two prophets in regard to the destruction of Babylon.FEE 99.2

Isaiah spoke of this in the year 712 b. c. This was just about one hundred years before Nebuchadnezzar overthrew Jerusalem, when Babylon was the rising power of the earth. It was one hundred and seventy years before its conquest by Cyrus. Thus said the prophet:—FEE 99.3

“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation; neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the island shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.” Isaiah 13:19-22.FEE 99.4

When we consider that the city was then becoming the glory of the Chaldees’ excellency, exceedingly strong, that the situation was desirable, and the land very productive, it seemed highly improbable that it should ever become so utterly desolate—even a place to be avoided—as the prophet said. But every word has been literally fulfilled. Generation after generation has passed, and the place of the glorious city continues in the very condition described by the prophet.FEE 100.1

And very wonderful are the words of Jeremiah, spoken in the year 595 b. c. This was eleven years after Daniel was carried captive into Babylon; eight years after the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. Therefore the solemn words of this prophecy were sent of God when this mighty monarch was reigning in the greatest pride of his glory. It was fifty-seven years before Babylon fell. The following are a part of the words of this prophecy:—FEE 100.2

“Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion. And the land shall tremble and sorrow; for every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant. The mighty men of Babylon have forborne to fight, they have remained in their holds; their might hath failed, they became as women; they have burned her dwelling places, her bars are broken. One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to show the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end.FEE 100.3

“And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, an astonishment, and a hissing, without an inhabitant.FEE 100.4

“And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captain, and her rulers, and her mighty men; and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake saith the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts. Thus saith the Lord of hosts: The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labor in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.” Jeremiah 51:28-31, 37, 57, 58.FEE 100.5

No one can intelligently read the words of the prophets without becoming convinced of the correctness of the apostle Peter’s statement, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19.FEE 100.6

Babylon fell, and the kingdom passed into the hands of the Persians. In like manner was it transferred to the Grecians and then to the Romans. These “masters of the world” thought they had secured a sure supremacy; but they were as vicious as they were powerful, and a rude people became their conquerors. One generation after another passes away, and wars change the boundaries of the kingdoms of the earth. But of the fifth kingdom the word stands sure: It shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. They who possess it shall possess it forever and ever.FEE 100.7

Considering that the very intention to make man was connected with the gift of a dominion, and the first gift to man was a dominion, we cannot be surprised that the restoration of the kingdom becomes especially prominent in the promises of God to man. Nor need we be surprised if he who was instrumental in robbing man of his first dominion, puts forth every effort to obscure and pervert this great and important truth. As to its importance and interest, we notice:—FEE 101.1

1. The first proclamation of the forerunner of Christ, was concerning the coming kingdom: “Repent ye for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1, 2.FEE 101.2

2. The beginning of the preaching of Jesus Christ was the same proclamation: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:14, 15.FEE 101.3

3. The first of the beatitudes pronounced by the Saviour in the sermon on the mount, was concerning the kingdom: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:3.FEE 101.4

4. The first petition of the Lord’s prayer was for the coming of the kingdom: “Thy kingdom come.” Matthew 6:10.FEE 101.5

5. When Jesus sent forth his disciples to preach the gospel, this was the burden of their commission: “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 10:7.FEE 101.6

6. Jesus said: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14. The object of the present dispensation is the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to prepare a people to inherit it when it shall be set up.FEE 101.7

7. And finally, when the Saviour comes in his glory, for the full redemption of his people, then will he say to the saints: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 25:34.FEE 102.1

Some have showed their firm belief in the theory that the kingdom has already come,-by saying the Lord’s prayer is not appropriate for this dispensation; it was given to the disciples before he had set up his kingdom, but now it is unfitting to pray that his kingdom may come. But as the subject of the prophecy of Daniel 2, and of the promises, it certainly has not come. Nothing has yet come, or been set up, which has restored the first dominion; which has caused the meek to inherit the earth; which has restored the kingdom and the throne of David. The promises remain to be fulfilled. Neither Abraham nor his seed has inherited the earth. Neither David nor his seed has seen the promised restoration and everlasting triumph of his reign.FEE 102.2

But the question will perhaps be asked: Is not Jesus, the son of David, already exalted to a throne? Is he not on a throne at the present time? Truly, he is; but not as the son of David, because he is not on the throne of David. We must bear in mind that there areFEE 102.3