The Prediction of the King

The Prediction of the King (Psalm 110)

The coming of God's Messiah-King was predicted in the psalms. Many of the psalms foreshadow the coming of that King. Two of the psalms directly predict the coming of that King, Psalms 2 and 110. Psalm 110 is a direct prediction of the coming Christ. Nothing about David or any of the kings that followed him in Israel could have fulfilled the prediction of Psalm 110. It is purely prophecy concerning the coming Christ. We do not have to doubt the direct application of this psalm to Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself interpreted the psalm and applied it to Himself (Mark 12:35-37). This psalm is the most quoted in the New Testament. At least twenty-five times these words are referred to the Lord Jesus. God did predict the coming of His King.

God Promises to Send a King

David overheard a conversation in heaven. That is the substance of Psalm 110:1. The Lord Jehovah promised the Lord Jesus Christ that He would reign. As a third party David, the greatest king of Israel, heard this promise. He recorded what he heard as a matter of prophecy.

This promise concerns the person of the King. He is greater than the greatest of the kings of Israel. Peter clearly said this in Acts 2:34. He will be the epitome of the royal, the regal, and the ideal king. He is greater than any heavenly being. No celestial creature excels His greatness (Heb. 1:13).

This promise concerns the power of the King. God has exalted him as ruler and sovereign. As awfully as man rejected Him, God has exalted Him (Acts 5:30). He reigns now as Savior and Intercessor (Rom. 8:34).

This promise concerns the position of the King. He is now seated at the right hand of God. This is the place of honor and the place which indicates the completion of his task. Other priests stand daily. He is seated because he has offered the once-and-for-all sacrifice (Heb. 10:1 11ff.).

This promise concerns the realm of this King. His rule is absolutely at one with the rule of God. The scepter of God's strength, power, and might also belongs to Him. He will rule in the very midst of those who are His foes. He will exercise sovereignty in the midst of those who are His enemies. He will literally march forth through the ranks of His enemies.

This promise addresses the followers of the King. They will be joyful volunteers. He will not draft or conscript His followers. Fresh youth will constantly join the ranks of those who follow after His leadership (v. 3).

God Promises to Send a Bridge Builder

The predicted King will join together the role of king and priest. God has sworn and will not change His mind that He will send one who combines the powers of a great ruler with a great bridge builder to God. The Latin word for "priest" is pontifex. The word itself means a bridge builder. A priest is one who builds bridges between God and man.

The origin of this King-Priest is mysterious. He is compared to that Old Testament king-priest Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-20; Heb. 5:5-10; 6:19 to 7:28). He is an eternal priest without predecessor and follower. He is the final bridge builder between God and man.

This King-Priest will conquer all of His enemies and build a worldwide kingdom (vv. 5-6). With His volunteer followers, He will wage a war of righteousness until the whole earth belongs to His Kingdom. He will pause to refresh Himself along with His followers, but then He will continue unabated until all belong to His kingdom (v. 7).

If the greatest king who ever lived called Him Lord, would you not call Him Lord? Why not volunteer for His army today and be a victor then.