We have looked at the the basis of Christ’s sovereignty and come now to consider:
THE BOUNDARIES OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM
In verse 8, the Father maps out the boundaries of His Son’s kingdom.
1. They are set forth in prospect in many prophecies. Gen 12:3, 44:10, Isaiah 2:2-4.
2. His claiming of His universal kingdom will be seen in the conversion of sinners from all nations. “At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart,” Jer 3:17.
‘That time’ is the Millennial Reign of Christ. That is when all nations will submit to Him and be ruled over by Him. “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever,” Revelation 11:15.
3. The secret behind the success of Christ’s kingdom is prayer. “Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession,” verse 8. So Christ prayed, John 17:9, 11, 15, 17, 20-24. Christ is even now acting upon the promise of His Father. “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them,” Hebs 7:25. How that ought to spur us to pray.