This week, in our study of Matthew’s genealogy, we focused on the kingly line of Jesus as the rightful heir to the eternal throne of God’s people. One of the great hopes of the gospel is that King Jesus has already defeated the evil forces of the world (sin and death). The victory has been won, and all who belong to Christ are playing a winning game! Peter reminds us that Christ "has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him" (1 Peter 3:22). There is no monarch or president on earth who acts outside the sovereign hand of our good and gracious King. The Lord says in Isaiah 46, "I make known the end from the beginning, and from ancient times, things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose" (Isaiah 46:10).

Peter also assures his readers that not even the evils of Nero and the Roman Empire can thwart the mighty hand of God. Are these same principles not true for us today? Of course they are! Have hope, friends—the Ruler is on the throne, and His Kingdom is forever. We know one thing for sure: just as the Roman Empire, the establishment of all nations will one day come to an end. But it is just as certain that the Kingdom of God will endure forever! (Ps. 45:6, 2 Sam. 7:16, Dan. 2:44). We do not live simply for an enduring "city" on earth; "instead, we seek the one to come" (Hebrews 13:14b). Peter reminds us that our citizenship is not of this world, and our Master is not of this world—our citizenship is in heaven, and our Master is the Lord Jesus Christ alone!

No matter what our future holds, the victory is ours in Christ. Let us keep the main thing the main thing and live in light of the gospel—Christ's death, resurrection, and present rule as King.