Most of the scriptures I started looking up at first I was thinking what does this have to do with the Millennium since they are just about him being a ruler. Then I realized that the Millenium is really the only time he will be the absolute ruler- it wasn't when he was on earth. Although most descriptions of him as a ruler pertain to him on earth, the Millennium will be the only time where he rules supreme.
As I read, I became more and more interested in what these descriptions of him as a ruler say about Christ as a person. I feel like I learned a lot about his nature and personality from this line of thinking.
Isaiah 11:2 ... the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord.."
It's interesting here it seems like the Lord is someone other than himself since it describes him as filled with "the Spirit of the Lord." The Lord is himself, but the Spirit isn't. I think he was filled with the Spirit of his mission. Also, it describes him having "fear of the Lord." I think here the scripture is distinguishing between his role and his person. He must have known his role a little separate from himself. Jesus the person, Christ the Savior. That would instill fear in me if I understood the role and need for a Savior and I knew that had to be me. At least fear in the sense of deep respect and anticipation for the job to be done. Interesting insight into what must have been going on in Christ's head as he figured everything out.
Isaiah 11:3 ... he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears..
I think this says a lot about Christ- the fact that he didn't judge after what he saw. This is incredibly hard for mortals and probably for him too as a mortal, but it goes on to say in verse 4 that he judged "with righteousness." He didn't make quick judgments, he knew how to look on the heart and see someone's true character.
Isaiah 16:5 And in mercy shall the throne be established and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking judgment and hasting righteousness."
He reigns IN mercy. So should we in leadership positions. We should give others the benefit of the doubt. Also the fact that in his role as judge- he both judges AND seeks judgment is a very interesting insight. I think it denotes humility to seek other's judgment since he could very well do it all himself perfectly- gives us the opportunity, or at least his disciples.
None of these verses specify millennium but I guess they must since Christ wasn't a ruler on His time on earth. This is why the Jews denied Him because they were waiting for the millennial leader described in the scriptures.
Isaiah 33:22 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us.
These roles kind of seem at odds- judge, lawgiver, king, savior but considering he is perfect, all-knowing and all-merciful. Who else could fill all these roles we need filled? Humans need a judge, a lawgiver, a king and savior.
Zeph 3: 15-20 .... the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt to see evil anymore
No wonder the Israelites were excited and waiting for a might king. These verses describe a super star ruler. In verse 17 he is described as mighty, save, will rejoice over thee, rest in love with thee, drive out enemies, praise and fame them who've been put to shame. Wh wouldn't want that in a king? Sounds too good to be true. No wonder they didn't recognize Christ when He came. These millennial scriptures confused them.
Zach 14:9 ... the Lord shall be king over the whole earth: in that day shall there be one Lord and his name one.
I think there's something really comforting about just having one leader for everyone to look to. Its less confusing having everyone go to the same source. It puts people on equal ground. The key is being able to trust the one leader and really we can only trust Christ who is perfect (although prophets are a close second).
Luke 1:32 talks about his ruling right through the line of David, as do many of these scriptures.
Why this obsession with David? What's the connection between David and millennial reign? Maybe inheritance of total power?
1 Cor 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet
Sounds like Christ will tackle his enemies one at a time. So should we tackle challenges one at a time. Just take one enemy at a time.
1 Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
He saved the hardest enemy/challenge for last. The resurrection ends His millennial reign.
1 Cor 15:24 Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God... when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
Most times power, especially complete power is very difficult to give up once you've experienced it (that scripture in D & C about the natural inclination of man when he gets a little power to abuse it), but Christ gives up his power willingly- submitting all power to the Father.
1 Nephi 22:24 ... the Holy One of Israel must reign in dominion and might and power and great glory.
Just a few characteristics of Christ as king.
v 25 ... he gathereth his children... he numbereth his sheep and they know him.
This is our test- to know him. This is why its important to study every aspect of his character and life because in the end, it's our ultimate test.
v 26 And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power.
In the millennium, it's not because God or Christ binds Satan, its because of righteousness of the people. I think we can achieve some semblance of Satan having no power over us here in this life as we increase our righteousness.
Jacob 5: 75 [Christ glories with his servants over the fruit of the vineyard] .... blessed art thou... because ye have been diligent... ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit....
Christ shares the work and glory- even though He did most of the work, he still shares all the glory. This says a lot about Christ as a ruler that He wants to share his glory and joy with his subjects. He really likes them and wants to be with them. It's what brings him joy. An excellent leadership quality- the love of your subjects and wanting to be around them. When you compare that to the actions of a king, who generally only deals with the 'high ups,' Christ seems so full of compassion and love.
D&C 29:13 .... they shall come forth- yea even the dead which died in me, to receive a crown of righteousness and to be clothed upon, even as I am, to be with me, that we may be one
"That we may be one." Christ puts people on his level even though he is so much higher and greater. He elevates his subjects to greatness. He crowns them.
D&C 43:29 ...my people shall be redeemed and shall reign with me on earth...
Same idea here. We reign with him. He shares his power and control with those who have proved themselves. He does not wish for power or control. He wants to share it all.
D&C 76:107 When he shall deliver up the kingdom and present it unto the Father spotless, saying: I have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God...
I guess this doesn't have so much to do with his millennial reign as it does with his atonement, but I found it so interesting that he would say the "wine-press of the fierceness of God" over all the ways he could have described that wine-press. Over all the horrible things he experienced in the atonement- Satan, temptation, sorrow, illness, physical death. Here it sounds like the worst was the wrath of God. I kinda understand that. The worst feeling is the guilt you feel knowing you messed up and let down someone who gave you so much. The guilt of letting God down can be extreme. I think that's kind of how we feel His wrath- guilt. It must have been pretty awful.
Article of Faith 1:10 ... that Christ will reign personally upon the earth....
A personal reign. That's pretty cool. He won't be up in heaven giving orders to a few, he'll be down with us reigning personally over everything. Pretty cool.
I learned a lot about Christ in studying his role during his millennial reign. I look forward to seeing it. These scriptures describe the most kind, loving, compassionate, humble and fair ruler I've ever heard of. His love of his subjects and his lack of desire for power make me yearn to have him rule over the whole earth.
