The Kingdom Belongs to the Lord Across All Nations

Psalm 22:28 declares, "The kingdom is the Lord's"—a proclamation of universal dominion that distinguishes Christian faith from all competing religions. Joseph Exell observed in 1887 that Moses' law was geographically confined to Judea, while other systems adapted to local customs and remained regional. The Gospel of Christ, however, bears intrinsic marks of universality.

Before His ascension, the risen Christ commissioned His apostles as witnesses "unto the uttermost parts of the earth," commanding them to "make disciples of all nations." This mandate reflects the ancient covenant promise to Abraham: "in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed." The prophets envisioned the Prince of Peace reigning universally, when "the knowledge of the Lord was to cover the earth."

Yet Exell noted a troubling contradiction. After seventeen centuries, Christianity occupied less than one-fifth of the globe, while Islam had spread more widely and retained firmer possession of its territories. How could this apparent failure vindicate the promise?

Exell offered two answers. First, Almighty God accomplishes His purposes through gradual means, not instantaneous decree. Providence operates incrementally, each advancement preparing the way for the next. Second, as natural productions require seasons of maturation, so the divine timetable unfolds according to kairos—God's appointed time, not human expectation. The kingdom's ultimate prevalence remains assured, though its visible establishment unfolds across generations.