WILL DAVID BE CO-REIGNING WITH CHRIST IN THE KINGDOM?

This has been an issue that has been debated for generations by many scholars, even dispensational and premillennial teachers. But the answer will be a loud and clear "yes" if we use good interpretative and hermeneutical skills to come up with the answer.    First, we start with interpretation. Our base is (1) Literal Interpretation, that is, we take the passages of Scripture just as they are. We do not impose our interpretation to the verses. We let them speak to us, and what do we come up with? (2) We use Common Sense and do not try to get "theological". We want the Bible to do the talking!    Literal interpretation will mean we take the text as it is. Whatever it says, that is what we embrace. By the way, while some scholars disagree, some of the most respected premillennialists say that there is a co-regency with Christ and David co-ruling in the Millennial Kingdom. This is held by some of the most respected, such as Dwight Pentecost, John F. Walvoord, and the late great scholar at Moody Bible Institute, William Newell.    Walvoord wrote: "David is meant the resurrected David who shares with Christ as prince some of the government duties of the millennial kingdom."    Newell added: "David is not the son of David. Christ, as Son of David, will be King, and David, His father after the flesh, will be prince, during the Millennium. In the light of many prophecies which promise saints the privilege of reigning with Christ, it would seem most logical that David the King raised from the dead should be given a place of prominence in the Davidic Kingdom of the millennial reign of Christ."    Let's look at the verses because what the Bible says will ultimately give us the right answers.    Jeremiah 23:5-6: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely. ... His name will be called ... 'The Lord our Righteousness.'" This of course is the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, and, He will reign as King FOR DAVID!    Jeremiah 30:9: Israel will "serve the Lord their God, and THEY SHALL SERVE David their king, whom I will raise up for them ..." Notice that David will be resurrected and will be their King! But the Messiah will also be their King reigning FOR DAVID! This is a both/and, not an either/or! The Messiah is not "representing" David, He is separate from David, but both will be Kings! This is a co-regency, a co-reigning, with both ruling during the Millennium. This was common during Kingdom periods in ancient days.    Jeremiah 33:15-17: The Messiah, the Righteous Branch OF DAVID "will spring forth" and execute "justice and righteousness ON THE EARTH" during the Millennial reign! At this time, Jerusalem will be called "The Lord our Righteousness" just as the Messiah will be as mentioned in Jeremiah 23:5-6. This One, the Messiah, is separate from David and comes from him!    Jeremiah 33:20-21: If you can change the laws of nature then you can break the "natural covenant" of day and night, and David will not have a son to "reign on his throne ..." "The son of David is the Messiah, and He will reign on David's throne in the Kingdom." Thus, to mention David is not saying that this name is only representing the Messiah. David is David, and the Messiah is the Messiah!    Ezekiel 34:23-24: David is called God's (1) shepherd and (2) My servant. And, David will be Israel's (3) prince "among them." David will hold these positions during the Millennial reign of Christ. Our key rule: OBSERVATION. What it says, it says! We take this at face value and we take it literally! We don't insert our own new thought here. We can't say, well, David does not mean David, the name means Christ. We take David at face value!    Ezekiel 37:22, 24-25: These verses give some problems. It refers to the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah, and then says but only "one king" will rule over these two nations in the Messianic Kingdom period. The point is not say that there will be ONLY ONE king but that the two kingdoms will be joined to make one kingdom during the Millennial reign. The nation will no longer be divided, and, One central ruler will have united both kingdoms together. This does not destroy the idea of a co-regency, but only makes the point of the unity of the nation! The last of verse 22 says "and they will no longer be divided into two kingdoms."    37:22, 24-25 says what has already been said previously. David will be God's servant, the king, the prince, and one shepherd, and "they shall live on the land that I gave to Jacob (Israel)." The rule of thumb will be "the everlasting covenant," which is a reference to the New covenant.    Zechariah 3:8: The Messiah is mentioned again as God's servant and the Branch.    Zechariah 6:12: Again, the Messiah is the Branch who will build the Temple for the Millennial reign.    Hosea 3:5: When the Millennium is established, Israel will return and "seek the Lord their God" and they will return and "seek David their king; and they will come trembling to the Lord and to His goodness in the last days." David will have been resurrected and Christ will arrive at the Mt. of Olives where His feet will touch, and all Israel will seek Him out!    Luke 1:31-32: It was told Mary that she would bring forth the Messiah, the Son of the Most High (Psalm 2) "and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever; and His kingdom will have no end." Notice that David had a throne and that is the throne given to David's Son, from which Christ will rule over the house of Israel forever!    Conclusion: If we let the Bible speak, and not insert our own thoughts, it all becomes quite clear in our thinking. A co-reigning and a co-regency is the only thing that makes sense if we just let the Bible speak on its own! – Dr. Mal Couch (5-10)