For Thine Is The Kingdom
Dr. John E. Hoole – May 28, 2017
For the past month and a half, we have examined the Lord’s Prayer, as it is in Matthew 6:9-13. We have learned about the six requests mention in the prayer. We saw the importance of our understanding God and God’s character when we pray. We recognized the need for our active participation in the coming of God’s kingdom and the doing of God’s will every day. In asking for daily bread, we acknowledge our dependence of God. Seeking forgiveness, we learned not only the need to go to God for forgiveness, but also learned our need to forgive others who have taken issues with us. We noted the giving and receiving of forgiveness is the only conditional part of the Prayer. And we desire God’s protection from ourselves and the evil one.
Matthew 6:13b NKJV
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer for followers of our Lord and Savior. And the end of the prayer parallels the beginning. We pray, “Thy kingdom come,” and we affirm at the end, “Thine is the Kingdom.” We pray “Thy will be done,” and we affirm God has the power to accomplish His will. Thus, we pray, “Thine is the power.” We pray, “Hallowed be Thy Name,” and we affirm, “Thine is the Glory.” We end the prayer where we started – in worship.
I hope you have seen in the Lord’s Prayer that it is not only the way Jesus taught us to pray, and it is that. It is a model prayer, a pattern for our praying. Everything that you could possible think of or need or want or pray somehow can fall under one or more of the aspects of the Lord’s Prayer.
Certainly, it is teaching us a way to pray, but I think even broader than that, you’ve seen that the Lord’s Prayer is teaching us the way to think, a way to live, a perspective on all of life. Every aspect of the Lord’s Prayer is instructive for us, not only about our prayer life, but also about life in general. I love how all-encompassing the prayer is. There’s so much balance in it, and covers all the bases, so to speak.
Matthew 6:13b NKJV
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
There are a good number of theologians who would teach us that this phrase was not spoken by Christ. They say this doxology was added at some later time. Their reasoning is, they say, that the earlier manuscripts omit it.
As we read, the NKJV, along with the KJV, includes it.
The NAS has it in brackets, with a footnote saying it is omitted in earlier manuscripts.
The NIV omits it entirely. The same is true for NLT, ESV, Message, RSV, New Century Version, ASV.
Some have argued that the prayer is the same as the one found in Luke 11:2-4. In that passage the doxology does not appear. While the two passages are similar in content, it is doubtful they are the same prayer. Where they are represented in the ministry of our Lord would indicated they occurred at different times. Also, the passage in Matthew is given for the multitudes (Matthew 7:28-29), while the passage in Luke is given to the disciples when they request Jesus teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). In Matthew, the prayer is part of the long Sermon on the Mount. But in Luke 11, it is given by Christ after the Lord had been praying, and not part of a larger talk or sermon of Christ.
It is also found in some ancient translations such as some Old Latin manuscripts, as well as the Old Syrian, and some Coptic versions. The Syriac Peshitta (2nd / 3rd century) reads: “And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever: Amen.”
The doxology also has support from Early Church Fathers. These are the church leaders who took the mantel from the apostles in the late first and second centuries.
A book known as the DIDACHE was written. That is a Greek title, meaning “The Teachings.” And it is to be the teachings of the Twelve Apostles, put down in writing. The Didache is an anonymous and brief early Christian treatise dated by most as the late first century. It also predates all other manuscripts that include portions of Matthew 6. The Didache is not a Bible translation, and is primarily the codification of church doctrines. But it does contain this doxology twice, in chapters eight and nine. There is a total of 16 chapters in this document.
Let me provide the wording as it is found in the 8th chapter, which only has three verses.
8:2 Neither pray ye as the hypocrites, but as the Lord hath commanded in his gospel so pray ye: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done as in heaven so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debt, as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil: for thine is the power, and the glory, for ever.
Matthew 6:13b NKJV
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
The ending of the Lord’s Prayer is both a doxology and a benediction. A benediction is just a blessing. Bene is “to speak well of.” A doxology is a hymn of praise to God. In this doxology we proclaim the preeminence of our Father God, His sovereignty, His almightiness, His majesty, and His greatness.
I am inclined to believe that this phrase was not entered into the text at a later date. Rather, they can look at 1 Chronicles for inspirations. In 1 Chronicles 29, King David had finished gathering all the materials for the great temple. It was to be built in Jerusalem, but not by King David – it would be his son Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:3-5).
Let’s read the doxology given by King David in 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 NKJV
11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all.
12 Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all.
13 "Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.
You can tell that this is a kind of an expanded version of what we pray at the end of the Lord’s Prayer. This benediction at the end of this prayer, it reminds us to whom we‘ve been praying. It reminds us of who God is, This is not just some guy on the street. This is God, and we remind ourselves of that. Not only do we recognize our need to receive from Him, but also of the praise we give to Him.
Thine is the Kingdom
Let’s look at the first part of this doxology – Yours is the Kingdom.” When we pray, “Thy Kingdom Come,” we are saying we want God to reign and to rule in our lives and in our world. We are declaring that He is the King and does reign and rule, though not yet to the ultimate sense that will occur in a later setting.
In Revelation 4, we find the apostle John telling us he sees an open door in heaven. And he is invited to enter that open door.
Revelation 4:1 NKJV
1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this."
What does John see as he enters heaven through the open door? The most striking part of the scene for John is the throne of God Himself upon which, he tells us, One sits. Although John does not give us a description of God, he does give us a description of the Throne Room. This throne must be spectacularly beautiful. And this throne is occupied.
In my lifetime, I have personally seen only three thrones.
• King Ludwig I Munich, Germany. The walls of the throne room are overlaid with pure gold.
• King Tutankhamen 2003 Cairo: We went to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. King Tut’s throne was behind a glass enclosure.
• King Minos of Crete 2005 Outside Heraklion, Crete are the ruins of Knossos Palace. He was king over the Minoan civilization.
When I saw these thrones, they were all unoccupied. The kingdoms of these rulers of the past did not last forever. In fact, none of them lasted very long. But when John saw the throne in Heaven, it was occupied.
Psalms 47:8 NKJV
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.
Let me remind you that, unlike the thrones I have seen, the throne of God will never be vacant. It cannot be stolen. Our God cannot be out-muscled or over-powered. Psalm 45:6 says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”
No! Positively NO! God’s throne is never vacant and never will be. And none but God occupies it. The throne of God stays exclusively His. So when you come “boldly to the throne of grace,” as mentioned in Hebrews 4:16, there will be someone on that throne ready to listen. In fact, anytime we experience the presence of the Lord, His throne is never far. And it is more than just a seat to sit upon. It represents authority, power, rule and dominion. It is at this throne and from this throne that official Kingdom business is made and pronounced. You and I have a standing invitation to enter the throne room of God. The door leading into this room is always open.
Near the end of chapter 4, we find the inhabitants of heaven giving God glory and praise.
Revelation 4:10-11 NKJV
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."
This is very similar to the verse we are studying. “For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever, amen.”
While the apostle John does not here describe the One sitting on the throne, there are many other Bible passages that do give us a powerful image of Him. And, it is from these other descriptions of the throne’s occupant, that one great pastor has formulated, in words, possibly one of the best descriptions of our King ever said. His name is S.M. Lockridge, and I want you to hear him describe his King.
PLAY VIDEO: “He’s My King” - S,M, Lockridge
There have been those who thought they were the sitting on the highest throne. King Nebuchadnezzar was one such person. But he had a rude awakening when God spoke to him.
Daniel 4:30-33 NKJV
30 The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"
31 While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you!
32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."
33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like birds' claws.
King Nebuchadnezzar was made like a beast of the field until he realized that he was a man and not God. The kingdom belongs to the Lord.
Psalms 22:28 NKJV
28 For the kingdom is the Lord's, And He rules over the nations.
He rules the nations. To say it another way, He is “King of kings and Lord of lords.” While He is king today, not all recognize it, and some actually oppose such a Kingship.
But, we are told in Revelation 11:15 (NKJV) what will one day happen:
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
A few chapters later, in Revelation 19, Christ is shown returning to the earth to rescue His people. He will also judge the wicked, and set up His kingdom. And as He comes, He is riding on a white horse in power and great glory. This appearance is nothing like His quiet arrival in Bethlehem as a helpless baby. This time, every eye shall see Him. (Revelation 1:7), as He comes in inescapable judgment.
As you read further in Revelation 19, you see that He is not coming alone. The armies of Heaven – who are clothed in the fine linen of the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7-8). What an entourage is coming with Him. Many famous people seem to always have an entourage around them. But this group is coming with Christ, and they are also riding on white horses. If you ae a Christian, you will be in this army of saints and angels. This is in keeping with the promise that says believers ae going to rule and reign with Him (Revelation 5:10).
Revelation 5:10 NKJV
10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
It is in Revelation 19:16 that people usually point to as using the phrase, “King of kings.”
Revelation 19:16 NKJV
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Did you know that this phrase, King of kings, occurs 5 other times in the Bible? Three times, that phrase describes an earthly king – twice for King Nebuchadnezzar, and once referring to King Artaxerxes.
Ezekiel 26:7 NKJV
7 For thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses, with chariots, and with horsemen, and an army with many people.
In this passage, it is the Lord who calls Nebuchadnezzar “king of kings.” At that time, there was no king on earth like him.
Daniel, when he interpreted the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, also used the phrase.
Daniel 2:37 NKJV
37 You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory;
Once again, the phrase is used again for King Artaxerxes to express his absolute sovereignty over his respective realm.
Ezra 7:12 NKJV
12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Perfect peace, and so forth.
Now to the other two times the phrase, King of kings, is used of God the Father or Christ.
1 Timothy 6:15 NKJV
15 He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
Revelation 17:14 NKJV
14 These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."
This verse reverses the titles, putting Lord of lords before King of kings.
Concerning the phrase, Lord of Lords, we find it mentioned in the Bible 5 times. Three of those times the phrase is coupled with King of kings. We have already read them – Revelation 19:16; 17:14; 1 Timothy 6:15,
Here are the other two times the phrase, Lord of lords, is used without being connected to “King of kings.”
Psalms 136:3 NKJV
3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever:
Deuteronomy 10:17 NKJV
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.
In this passage you find another similar phrase: God of gods.
There are also five verses using the phrase, “God of gods,” each of them found in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy 10:17; Joshua 22:22; Psalm 136:2; Daniel 2:47; Daniel 11:36.
When Jesus is called “King of kings and Lord of lords,” it means that, in the end, all other rulers will be conquered or abolished, and He alone will reign supreme as King and Lord of all the earth. There is no power, no king, and no lord who can oppose Him and win.
The world, as a whole, does not give such honor to God today. Although mankind benefits from His goodness and live in a universe He created, they tend to neglect God altogether.
We are not waiting for the reign of our King. We are not waiting for Him to become King. Our Lord and Savior is the King of His creation right now.
1 Timothy 1:17 NKJV
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Closing:
My question for you this morning is: Is Jesus a King to you today? Are you able to announce with the writers of Scripture that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords?