What a scene! It began with hope but ended in despair. It was born in witness but was buried in denial, in despair. What promised to be a coronation became a crucifixion. Jerusalem’s greatest hour soon became her hour of judgment.

The time and place may change, but the principles are ever the same. No nation or man can confront Jesus and ever be the same again. Jesus Himself told Pilate that His purpose for coming to the world was to bear witness to the truth that He is King (John 18:37).

I. The Conquering King

1. Deuteronomy 20:10-12 declares the terms of submitting to King Jehovah for unbelieving people and cities. This same principle was followed by Jesus when He sent His emissaries to declare terms of peace to unbelieving Jews during His ministry. Read Luke 10:5-16.

2. Zechariah 9:1, 7-10 speaks prophetically of Palm Sunday as the event when King Jesus announced His plan to convert the nations under His rule through His people.

3. Revelation 7:9-12 shows the fulfillment of this: when the gospel went out to all the nations after His ascension into heaven.

4. It is not an accident that after Western Europe and the United States rejected Christ as king in regards to biblical law and economics both began a gradual judicial process of judgment and cultural decline. This can only be reversed in the United States if we as a nation turn back to our Christian roots in law, economics, politics and the church.

II. The King was to usher in a new Garden of Eden

1. Trees are symbolic in scripture of the Garden of Eden which was the paradise of God replete with trees; trees symbolize health, blessing, and life. Read Genesis 2:8-10 (note God planted a garden as part of making it a paradise).

2. The righteous are said to be like trees that continually yield good fruit (Psalm 1:1-3). See also Jeremiah 17:5-8; John 15:1-8.

Restoration to Eden is never all that is involved in salvation, just as it was not God’s plan for Adam and his children to remain in the Garden. They were to go out to the entire world, unleashing human potential in every realm of life to full fruition under King Jesus. The Garden was merely a headquarters, a place to start, not to stay. We may be able as Christians to enjoy heaven in our hearts and corporate assemblies but we must never forget that God will take away our fruit if we don’t go into the world and bring heaven on earth! (Luke 11:2: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”)

III. As King He brought Israel the conditions for their peace, prosperity, and continuation as a nation

1. His first act when He entered the city of Jerusalem was to cleanse the temple (Matthew 21:12-17). Judgment always begins first with the house of God before it goes to the surrounding culture. We cannot expect politicians to get it right if the church is not preaching the truth and teaching the nations.

2. He pronounced judgment on them as a nation when their leaders rejected Him in the temple (Matthew 21:18-22, 43-46).

IV. Who is He to you? (Matthew 21:10-11)

1. To the Roman soldiers He was just another rabble rouser. To the Jews He was either the Messiah or a Messianic imposter. To modern liberal scholars and some Hollywood producers like James Cameron, He was just an extraordinary teacher obsessed with the end of the world and the next life.

2. The Bible Says He Is:

A. Pre-Existent: John 1:1, 8:58.
B. The Creator of the Universe: John 1:3, 10.
C. Virgin Born: Matthew 1:21-23.
D. Sinless: 2 Corinthians 5:21.
E. The Only Sacrifice who died for the sins of the world: John 1:29; Isaiah 53:4-6.
F. Resurrected: Matthew 28:5-6.
G. Ascended into Heaven: Acts 1:9.
H. Returning Physically a second time to judge the world: Acts 1:11.

The question is: Will you receive Him as King and accept His terms of peace?

To subscribe for a weekly teaching click here.