Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to [David], that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne, ACT 2:30.

Christ came in our human nature, not only to pay the penalty of our sin as our Substitute, but also as our example that we may take up our cross and follow Him. The principle that the way to the throne is by way of the cross comes through so clear in PRO 15:33, "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."

The history of Joseph is another example that the way to the throne was through the valley of humiliation. We are admonished in PHI 2:5-8, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

The Father's reward for such humble obedience was that Christ was raised, not only from the grave--but also unto the throne spoken of in our text. PHI 2:9-11 makes this point so clear!

See the connecting word "Wherefore [or therefore as His reward] God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Such exaltation to the throne was not only His reward for such humble obedience, it was the glory of His rightful scepter from eternity. Our Saviour said in JOH 17:4-5 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

There are so many teachings about what constitutes salvation. The Lord Jesus clearly taught that our evidence that we have salvation is that our hearts bow before That "...name which is above every name," that Name of authority which the Father gave His Son as His reward for perfect obedience.

Where did the gospel begin? MAR 1:14 says, "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God." What does this teach except the wonderful news that He had opened a way whereby we can again enter His kingdom (or service under His Kingship), and serve God acceptably in the imputed obedience or righteousness of Christ?

In this vein of thought our Saviour says, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel," MAR 1:15.

Our blessed, exalted King of kings never refuses any who "..repent, and believe the gospel" or the good news of the kingdom, or the opening Christ made to renter acceptable service of our God. MAT 10:32-33 says, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven."

The word "confess" comes from the Greek word "homologeo" which means to say the same thing as another, i.e., to agree with, assent, to concede." Taken together with the root word "logos" from which it is derived it means "to agree with, assent to the moral precepts given by God."

Our blessed Saviour so beautifully reveals wherein we by our attitudes and actions "confess" His rightful Scepter before men-and how He will confess us before His Father in MAT 25:34-36 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me."

You and I will not understand how the KING of kings can confess before the Father--"Come, ye blessed of my Father" when we see how short we come of His glory--But the KING Jesus Christ who was raised by His Father to sit upon the throne of David says-"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," V:40. Amen.

OUR LORD JESUS