We come to the third section of  of these verses dealing with

THE RE-AFFIRMATION OF CHRIST’S SOVEREIGNTY.

THE BREAKING OF CHRIST’S ENEMIES.

There is irresistible power behind the advance of Christ’s kingdom. “I shall give”. God’s will cannot be resisted! We must never forget this but make it our everlasting hope and joy.

1. Here is a solemn word to all who resist the gospel. “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron,” verse 9.

In the midst of His own people Christ is the Good Shepherd, gentle,  loving, tending His flock. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young,  Isaiah 40:11. Such tenderness must not blind the sinner to the terrible wrath of the Lamb.

2. Such terrible wrath has been briefly seen on some occasions. Noah’s flood, Sodom, destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and Imperial Rome.

It will be seen again, Rev 6:15-17.

3. It is restrained today while Christ gathers in His own. He has permitted the persecution of His people and the disruption of His cause by His enemies. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn, Matt 13:30. Genesis 19:15-17

4. Destruction shall fall upon His enemies. That is what lies ahead for so many! How terrible, how swift and how total will be the blow that Christ shall strike. Daniel 2:34, 44. The end of this age!