The basic message the church must embrace is in Isaiah 52:7: “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (NASB).

The Old Testament context is the Babylonian captivity. “Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus says the Lord, ‘You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money’” (Isa. 52:2-3). Isaiah looks ahead and sees Israel in captivity, but he also sees Israel’s redemption.

All this is possible because God is King. And so the message to Israel is: Leave Babylon. Separate yourselves from her idolatry and paganism. Return to your land. Rebuild the temple and reestablish the true worship of God.

The New Testament context of Isaiah 52:7 is Romans 10. Verse 9 declares, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Confessing “Jesus is Lord” is the New Testament counterpart to “Your God reigns.”

Paul insists on the proclamation of this message. “For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32, Rom. 10:13). In context, “the Lord” is Jesus Christ. He is King. And so Paul asks a series of questions. “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’” (Rom. 10:14-15). What is the good news? Your God reigns. Jesus Christ is Lord.

Going back to Isaiah, we see the beautiful messenger declare the kingship of Christ to the people of God, to the church. “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news…and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Here Zion represents the Church. In commenting on this text, John Calvin says, “Let us remember that this message is sent to the Church; for it cannot apply to heathens that know not God.”

The Church needs to hear the message, “Your God reigns.” The Church needs to be reminded, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Men and women, young people and children often come to worship torn by the trials, burdens, and challenges of life. We suffer weakness, disease, pressure, abuse, and heart-wrenching loss. What brings order out of this seeming chaos? Knowing our God, the God whom we gladly serve, reigns supreme.

We know that we are not in control of economic, political, and social forces. But Jesus Christ is King. He is working out His plans and purposes. He is in control of every molecule of the universe. He ensures that everything happening in His world and in His Church falls out for the good of His people (Rom. 8:28). Pray that the message of God’s rule and reign, the message of Christ’s kingship, will pervade our denomination, the Reformed Presbyterian Church.

—Dennis J. Prutow www.reformedvoice.org/rptsprof