Many of us have learned to appreciate a republican form of government such as we enjoy in the United States, where the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen by the citizens. And yet the Bible teaches that Christ’s kingdom to be established on earth (Matt. 6:10) will be a monarchy - a government where the supreme power is held by a single individual. And not only will Christ’s kingdom be a monarchy, it will also be an autocratic theocracy - a government where the ruler has absolute control and requires all to recognize God as the ultimate supreme ruler. Christ, as monarch, will not consult mankind at all. He will not be subject to any restrictions.

This might at first sound alarming. Certainly all would concede, looking back at world history, we cannot find any individual, no matter how noble or well-intentioned, who could be entrusted with complete autocratic power without fear of its being misused or substandard. Haven’t we learned that it is far better for the people to rule, that it is unwise to give any individual or group too much power?

The republican form of government has been a blessing under the world’s present sinful conditions because selfishness is ingrained in the hearts of all. A government under the people’s control protects our rights better than any other form of government at this time. However, we must admit that the people’s form of government has not brought lasting peace and happiness.

The Bible prophetically wrote about the four universal empires which ruled the world after the kingdom of Israel was overturned by Babylon. Between the time of Israel’s kingdom being removed and Christ’s kingdom being established, a lease of earthly dominion was given by God to Gentile governments. This period of time is called “the times of the Gentiles” in Luke 21:24.

In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2, a dream was given to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. We do not have to wonder what the dream meant because the Prophet Daniel interpreted the dream for us.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was of a majestic image of a man. The head of the image was made of gold and represented the Kingdom of Babylon, the first to rule the earth. Next, represented in the breast and the arms of silver, came Medo-Persia, the second universal empire of earth, conqueror of Babylon. Next, represented in the belly and thighs of brass (copper), came Greece, the third universal empire of earth, which conquered Medo-Persia. Finally, represented in the legs of iron, came Rome, the fourth universal empire, conqueror of Greece. Each of the four universal empires ruled the earth for a time.

In King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, a stone was cut from the mountain without hands - supernaturally. This stone represents God’s kingdom, which smites the image in its feet. We are told in Dan 2:35 that after the image is smitten, the pieces of the image “became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”

The extension of Gentile supremacy is represented in the iron feet of the image, which merged into a combination of iron and clay, divided into ten toes. The commingling of the iron and clay represents the blending of church and state in the Holy Roman Empire. Today we are living under the ten toes, which represent the divisions of the nations of Christendom.

We see in our day the Gentile governments being ground to powder. They will eventually be “carried away” by the wind and replaced by Christ’s Kingdom, the fifth universal empire. Daniel 2:44 says, “And in the days of these kings [nations of Christendom represented by the image’s toes] shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these [Gentile] kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

Fifth Universal Empire

Christ’s Kingdom will be the fifth and final universal empire. As supreme ruler, we are told in Rev. 2:27 that “he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers.” The purpose of Christ ruling with a rod of iron is to break the kingdoms of this world in order to overthrow sin and death which has held humanity captive. 1 Cor. 15:25, 26 tells us that Christ will reign until He shall have put down all insubordination, and that the last enemy to be destroyed will be death [Adamic death]. When the iron rod has accomplished the work of destruction, then the hand that smote will be turned to heal.

During Christ’s reign, Satan will eventually be completely bound, which will result in the repression of evil and darkness. Christ and his Church will pour forth the light of truth and grace upon the poor, fallen human race until the knowledge of God’s glory shall fill the whole earth as the waters cover the great deep (Habakkuk 2:14). There will be no need to fear Christ’s autocratic government because his government will be perfect, based on justice, love, and mercy.

All the willing and obedient of mankind will rise, not only from the grave, but also out of all the weaknesses and frailties of the present time to perfection of life. And eventually all willful opponents of that Kingdom will die the second death, from which there will be no recovery.

After Christ’s reign of righteousness has accomplished its work of delivering the groaning creation from the bondage of sin and death, Christ will abdicate the throne, as 1 Cor. 15:28 says, “And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [God] that put all things under him [Jesus], that God may be all in all.”

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Last modified: 04/04/07