The Kingdom that Cannot Be Removed

"And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever." (Daniel 2:44 ESV)

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered." (Luke 2:1)

As our Christmas series concludes, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws our attention to the striking contrast between two kingdoms—Caesar's temporary empire and Christ's eternal reign. The juxtaposition of these verses reveals the true significance of the Bethlehem narrative.

Lloyd-Jones observes that Luke deliberately begins his nativity account by mentioning Caesar Augustus—the most powerful human ruler of that era, whose decree affected "all the world" (the known Roman Empire). Yet this seemingly omnipotent emperor unwittingly serves God's purposes, issuing a decree that brings Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem precisely where prophecy declared the Messiah would be born.

The phrase "in the days of those kings" from Daniel connects Christ's birth to prophetic expectations about a kingdom that would supersede all human empires. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that while Caesar thought himself establishing an eternal empire (hence the title "Augustus," suggesting divine status), his realm represented merely another in the succession of temporary kingdoms Daniel's prophecy describes.

The true eternal kingdom arrived not with political fanfare in Rome but with angelic announcements in Bethlehem. Not through military conquest but through spiritual transformation. Not by human achievement but by divine intervention. The God of heaven established His kingdom through the seemingly insignificant birth of a child in an obscure province of Caesar's empire.

Lloyd-Jones draws attention to the paradoxical nature of Christ's kingdom—present yet still coming, inaugurated but not yet consummated. The baby in Bethlehem's manger initiated a kingdom that continues expanding through history and will ultimately encompass all creation. What began with a handful of shepherds worshiping at a manger will culminate with every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The phrase "it shall stand forever" contrasts sharply with the temporary nature of human institutions. Rome fell, but Christ's kingdom endures. Caesar's decrees have been forgotten, but Christ's words remain. The Roman Empire exists only in history books, but the kingdom established in Bethlehem continues transforming lives today.

This Christmas, recognize the true historical significance of Christ's birth. The seemingly minor event in Bethlehem—unnoticed by Rome's elite—inaugurated a kingdom that outlasts all earthly powers. The baby deemed unworthy of inn accommodations establishes a kingdom that encompasses eternity. The child born under Caesar's decree will ultimately judge Caesar himself.

Listen to all of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermons on Christmas at mljtrust.org.