Jonathan Edwards' Four-Fold Expanding Glory of Christ's Kingdom

 Jonathan Edwards' Four-Fold Expanding Glory of Christ's Kingdom


Banner of Truth did a very nice job of printing and binding Jonathan Edwards' book, entitled, A History of The Work of Redemption.  I have not finished it, but I have gotten through the first part of "Period 3: From The Resurrection of Christ To the End of The World," (pp. 255-270).  This is some of the best reading I have ever enjoyed; and I look forward to carefully digesting the rest of this fine tome.

 

But I wanted to reflect on what Edwards has laid-out so far; and run some things by you all.  Edwards discerns--mostly from OT prophecies--that Christ's expanding glory in the New Covenant did (or will) encompass four main events.  The first one he mentions is the destruction of Jerusalem and the old Jewish religious system.  The second is the conversion of Constantine in 312 AD (and the overthrow of all pagan empires).  The third is the throwing down of "Antichrist" at a future time.  (I am sure he means, as per most Protestant understanding in the 16th-18th centuries, the pope and the papal system.)  And lastly, Edwards references the Great Day of Judgment (with the general resurrection of all bodies).  As each of these epochs are attained to, they are, according to Edwards, a manifestation of Christ "coming" in His "Kingdom."  This makes good sense to me.  The intervening time, between each stage, is the opportunity for the church to look forward to the next level of Christ's glory to shine.

 

Edwards ingeniously comprehends that before each of these phases are reached Satan puts up a big fight; but that, once the stage has been broached, the church prospers and God is more glorified in Christ (and His Kingdom/His church).  Edwards also notes how this glory of Jesus truly is expanded, or magnified, (both words mine).  The great pastor/theologian states that, if all the glory of the Kingdom was revealed all at once (or too soon), we would simply not be able to handle it; (and we would not fully appreciate it).

 

Of course, according to this schema, the first two stages have already been reached.  Two more are to come.  Even in the 18th century (when Edwards lived), "Antichrist" was very much still a force to be reckoned with.  (I wonder if that is still, in reality, the case today?)  At any rate, it seems to me that this would be the next great event, if it is going to take place, (and by this, I mean, the overthrow of "Antichrist").

 

Edwards does, it seems to me, take a bit of an "historicist" view of the Book of Revelation, (whereby I am an ardent subscriber to the "partial preterist" approach)--but his use of Revelation does not seem to me to be "stressed," or necessarily out of place.  So, even though, to me, The Antichrist lived in the first century AD, (and is not, formally-speaking), a future figure--nonetheless anyone who presumes to sit on Christ's throne may appropriately be called an "Antichrist."

 

So, assuming Edwards' reading of the Scripture, with regard to the full scope of history, especially as it speaks of Christ's Glorious Kingdom, is true--should we be looking for a formal overthrow of (Edwards' understanding) of the "Antichrist"?  I am not entirely sure how I feel about this--but I am certainly open to it.  Perhaps the great Jonathan Edwards will convince me (in the balance of his book).

 

One thing that is so refreshing about Edwards, is his upbeat perspective on the inevitable success of the gospel and the expansion of Christ's church (Kingdom).  He is a tremendous antidote to the negativity that largely cloaks unbelief in professing Christians.

 

No one can argue with these words; and Edwards is happy to share them with us (as he does, on p. 260).  They come from Dan. 7:27, and say this (employing Edwards' old KJV): "And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him."

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #49

8 December 2025

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

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