Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"Your God has anointed You with the oil of gladness..."
Text: Hebrews 1:9
THE RISE AND FALL OF MANY EMPIRES
Many empires have come and gone. History records the rise and fall of many great world empires. Five may be noted.
1. The Assyrians
2. The Babylonians
3. The Medo-Persians
4. The Greeks
5. The Romans
All of these empires were essentially built upon sheer brute strength. By the power of their military might, at the cost of thousands of life, these empires were built. None was sustained forever. Each empire was succeeded by another one more cruel and more powerful than its predecessor. Ultimately each empire fell, never to rise again!
THE REIGN OF THE MESSIAH
What would characterize the kingdom that the Messiah would reign over? How would He reign? Let us ponder this soul-uplifting text.
“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness,
Therefore God, Your God has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than your companions.”
Hebrews 1:9
1. Characteristics of the Reign of the Messiah
a) Righteousness will prevail.
b) Lawlessness will be dealt with summarily.
2. Commendation from God
a) God would be pleased with such a reign.
b) He would bless the Messianic Kingdom (expressed by the word “anointed”).
c) Gladness would be that special blessing upon both the Ruler and its subjects.
The reign of the Messiah would be like no other for He rules as Divine King!