At the time of Jesus, the Jews were eagerly awaiting the Messiah. They longed for the glory days of 1000 years earlier when Israel was a strong kingdom, with King David on the throne. They remembered fondly the days when King Solomon built the Temple. Since that time Israel had become divided, and then conquered by the Assyrians and Babylonians, and occupied by the Greeks and the Romans. The Jews looked forward to the day when the Messiah would come, drive out the Romans, sit on the throne of David, and reestablish the kingdom of Israel. They believed in the promise given to them by their prophet, Isaiah:
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:7)
When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was to bear a special Child, he confirmed that Jesus would fulfill this prophecy:
“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:31-33)
So, what happened? Did Jesus fulfill the prophecy or not? Did He sit on the throne of David? Not as far as His enemies could see. Instead, they put a crown of thorns on his head, and title, “King of the Jews”, on His cross when they crucified Him. They expected a worldly king to sit on a physical throne, while God sent them a spiritual king. Jesus told them:
“My kingdom is not of this world… ” (John 18:36)
“Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64)
The promise of the kingdom was fulfilled in an unexpected way. It was established by Christ in the hearts of His disciples and followers. His resurrection and the spreading of His Gospel eventually led to the recognition of His kingdom by the people of the Holy Land, Greece, Rome, and throughout the Mediterranean world. Eventually the very emperor of Rome paid homage to Christ the King. The conquest of Rome became a spiritual reality. As was promised by Isaiah, the kingdom that Christ established will last for ever and ever. Now we understand that the throne of David has a deeper meaning than just a physical throne.