1. That the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed: This Christ will certainly do in his own time, inasmuch as it is directly opposite to his kingdom. The Devil’s chief design is to draw Christ’s subjects off from their allegiance to him: Therefore he will certainly plead his own cause, that his enemies may not take occasion to insult him, as though they had gained a victory over the Almighty. Moreover, his holiness and justice obliges him to do this; for since Satan’s kingdom is supported by sin’s gaining strength, and this tends to cast a reproach on the divine perfections; it must be destroyed. And to this we may add, that every one who is converted, is, (as the apostle says) delivered from the power of darkness, and delivered into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, Col. i. 13. Therefore we pray, that Christ’s interest may flourish in the world, which includes in it a desire, that whatsoever is contrary to it, may be thrown down.
There are various steps and degrees whereby Satan’s kingdom has been, and shall be weakened, till it shall be, at last, wholly destroyed.
(1.) It met with a great shock when the first gospel promise was given to Adam in paradise, relating to the seed of the woman bruising the serpent’s head, Gen. iii. 15. or Christ’s coming to defeat this deep-laid design against the interest of God in the world, by giving him a total defeat to him that was at the head thereof. Till this promise was given, there could not be the least hope of salvation for fallen man; whose condition was not only deplorable, but desperate, and, in all appearance, remediless; but by this first display of divine grace, a door of hope was opened, and Satan’s kingdom began to be broken and demolished.
(2.) It met with a farther shock, when men began to lay hold of, and take encouragement from this promise, and public worship was set up in the world; and the coming of the Messiah, who was expected to appear in our nature, and in the fulness of time, to destroy the works of the Devil, was farther made known to the church, and clearer intimations given of the glory of his Person, and the offices he was to execute, by which means he was regarded as the object of their faith, who waited for, and earnestly desired the gospel-day, when all the types and prophesies relating thereunto, should have their accomplishment.
(3.) Satan’s kingdom met with a very great defeat, when Christ, who was the desire of all nations, took our nature, and dwelt among us, and, in the whole course of his ministry, discovered the way of salvation to his people, more clearly than it had been in former ages, and finished the work of redemption in his death, whereby he paid an infinite price for his elect, to divine justice; and at the same time, destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the Devil, Heb. ii. 14. or, as it is expressed elsewhere, spoiled principalities, and powers, openly triumphing over them in his cross, Col. ii. 17. And when he was raised from the dead, whereby the work that he came about was brought to perfection, Satan’s kingdom was so effectually destroyed, that he shall not be able to maintain that dominion which he had over them, who before were his vassals, but are now become Christ’s subjects by right of redemption.
(4.) The success of the gospel, in the various ages since our Saviour was here on earth; his gathering and building up his church, defeating all the attempts of his enemies, who have threatened its ruin; so that the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against it; and its having been favoured with his special presence, and the means of grace bestowed upon, and continued to it, together with the various instances of that success that has attended them, have all had a tendency to weaken and destroy Satan’s kingdom.
(5.) All the victories that believers are enabled to obtain over sin, and Satan’s temptations; and all the graces that they have exercised, and comforts that they have experienced, are a gradual weakening of Satan’s kingdom, though the victory over him, at present, be not complete, inasmuch as he has too great an interest in the hearts of God’s people, through the remainders of corruption; yet they shall, at last, be made more than conquerors over him; and the fruits and consequences of the victory that Christ has obtained over him, shall be perfectly applied.
2. In desiring that Christ’s kingdom may come, we pray that the gospel may be propagated throughout the world, the Jews called, and the fulness of the Gentiles brought in. When the gospel-dispensation, which is Christ’s kingdom was first erected; the apostles, who were employed in this important work, were to fulfil that commission which he gave them, in preaching the gospel to all nations, which accordingly they did, and, by the extraordinary hand of God that attended it, it was spread, in a short space of time through a considerable part of the world; many of the Jews were called, among whom all that were ordained to eternal life, believed; and as for the Gentiles, who, before this, were unacquainted with the way of salvation, they had Christ preached to them, and many churches were gathered from among them; by which means his kingdom was advanced, and a foundation laid, for the propagation and flourishing state of the gospel in all succeeding ages, the effects whereof are experienced at this day. Therefore, when this petition relating to the coming of Christ’s kingdom, was used by those who lived at this time, when our Saviour gave this direction about it; that which was principally intended thereby, was, that Christ might be preached to the Gentiles, and believed on in the world; that the veil, or the face of the covering that was spread over all nations, might be taken away, and the way of salvation might be known by them, who, before this, sat in the region and shadow of death: Though, when it is used by us, we signify our desire that this invaluable blessing may be still continued, and the promises relating to the greater success thereof, may have a more full accomplishment. The apostles, indeed, in executing their commission, are said to have preached the gospel to all nations, that is, to a very considerable part of the heathen world: However, it does not appear that every individual nation of the world has been yet favoured with this privilege; and therefore, what was foretold concerning the earth’s being full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea, Isa. xi. 9. and other predictions to the like purpose, do not seem hitherto to have had their full accomplishment[[116]]. And it is very evident, that many nations, who once had the gospel preached to them by the apostles, are now wholly destitute of it. And though it is true, a considerable number of the Jews at first, believed in Christ; yet the greatest part of that nation were cast off, and all remain, at this day, strangers and enemies to him: Therefore we cannot but suppose, that those prophecies which respect their conversion, in the latter day, together with the fulness of the Gentiles being brought in, shall be more eminently accomplished than they have hitherto been[[117]]. This is therefore what we are to pray for when we say, Thy kingdom come; and, in order thereto, we are to be importunate with God,
(1.) That his interest may be still maintained, and the glory may not depart from his church; but that it may still enjoy the ordinances of his grace, and those privileges by which it is distinguished from the world, notwithstanding all the attempts of hell, and persecuting powers to undermine and overthrow it. And, though it be brought to a very low ebb at this day, that he would revive his work in the midst of the years, till he be pleased to cause that glorious day to dawn, which his people are now desiring, waiting and hoping for; and in order hereunto, we are to pray,
(2.) That there may be a more plentiful effusion of the Spirit, which is absolutely necessary to the advancement of Christ’s kingdom; a farther reformation of the church, and a greater spread of the gospel in those nations where it is not known at present.