The Son of David is coming. He is not coming to reign on earth. He already came to earth, ascended, and is reigning at the right hand of the Father. When He comes again He will bring an end to this universe . . . judgment day.
Jer. 22:29 -30 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
The above prophecy was addressed to the earth. The Lord laid it out emphatically, “O earth, earth, earth”. From David to Zedekiah nearly four hundred and seventy years had passed. The scions of David reigned in Judea by the blessing of God. In the eleventh year of Solomon, the Temple was completed in Jerusalem. Some four hundred twenty years later, the Temple was destroyed and the dynasty of David was brought to an end . . . on earth.
Who was the childless man of Jeremiah’s prophecy?
- As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;
- And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. (Jer.22:24-25)
Coniah, also called Jechoniah and Jehoiachin was the great ancestor of whom Jesus of Nazareth was a direct descendent. (cf. Matt.1:12)
The prophecy states that none of Coniah’s descendants would sit on the throne of David, ruling in Judah. After Coniah was taken into captivity, Nebuchadnezzar placed Coniah’s uncle, Zedekiah, on the throne. However, the rightful heir to the throne would have been Shealtiel, Coniah’s son and Jesus’ ancestor. So where does this leave Jesus? He was hailed, “Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.” (Mk.11:9-10) Also, the angel Gabriel revealed to Mary, “. . . the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33) Thus far, on one side, we are shown that the throne of David would end with Coniah. On the other side, Jesus, the son of David, came to reign forever, sitting on David’s throne. I believe the resolution to this is as follows: The Spirit speaks concerning the Law of Moses and the worship of God, “there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things.” (Heb.8:4-5) The kingdom of David was founded under that same law and worship, which is described as “example and shadow”. David and his offspring ruled on earth, a power and dominion which was an example and shadow of Jesus’ heavenly rule and domain.
Therefore, the return of the Messiah will bring all things to an eternal conclusion. The “last days” will be over. The last days began with the preaching of Jesus Christ, His crucifixion and resurrection. For almost two thousand years, the command to repent and the hope of salvation has been available for mankind. “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts.2:20-21) The love of God is carried out with great long-suffering toward mankind. “He is not willing that any should perish . . .” It is the time of a heavenly kingdom, of which it is written; “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb.12:28-29) There is no better thing than this for life on earth, unless of course, you count the end.