There is a feast that “mends in length” — that grows greater, better, richer, fuller, deeper, the longer it continues. This feast is, really, the table of the Kingdom of God, where we are sitting down with our King at His table, and in His kingdom.
It is a kingdom the increase of which shall know no end.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it, with judgment and with justice from henceforth forever” (Isaiah 9.6,7).
There shall be no end to the increase of this kingdom—its government, its peace. This kingdom is an everlasting kingdom that cannot be destroyed. In fact, as many as have sought to come against and destroy this kingdom have only caused it to increase.
Daniel saw “a Stone cut out without hands” (there’s your Rock that came down from Heaven, Cole) that smote a great image of gold and silver and bronze and iron and clay—smote it upon its feet. And the whole thing came crashing down, “and 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” (Daniel 2.35).
This is what happened at Calvary. The Son of God at Calvary, as they drove in the nails— it was God who was doing the smiting.
Jesus the Son of God had come on the scene pronouncing that the kingdom of the heavens was at hand. He went about ministering this wonderful kingdom—preaching to the poor the Glad Tidings of this kingdom, healing the sick, casting out demons… The kingdom of God was not something to come some distant day down the ages. The king of the kingdom was present! The kingdom of God had come nigh!
“But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11.20).
Satan was not happy with all this. If this One were allowed to continue on, it would be the utter demise of his own kingdom. He had to do something about it. And so he conspired to have the King of this kingdom crucified.
People get fascinated by conspiracy theories. God had His own conspiracy par excellence in the works. What happened at Calvary was a sting operation like none other. For, when Satan sought to put a halt to this kingdom by conspiring to have the king of this kingdom crucified—and he succeeded in his evil design—much to his everlasting dismay, all he succeeded in doing was causing this kingdom to increase!
For, when the risen and ascended King sat down on the Throne of the Kingdom at the right hand of the Father and sent forth His Holy Spirit upon the waiting disciples, this was the increase of His kingdom! And now they went forth in multiplied numbers proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Acts 8.12, 14.22, 19.8, 28.23,31) .
Oh, what a wonder. Oh, the wisdom of God—“the wisdom of God in a mystery… which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory” (1 Corinthians 2.8).
In spite of all his knowledge—and he prides himself on his knowledge, we are told: Ezekiel 28.3,17—Satan (I say this respectfully) seems to be a slow learner. He just never seems able to comprehend the wisdom of the Cross. For he continues to assault this everlasting kingdom to this day. What shall the end be of all his malice, I wonder? For he is working overtime these days, intent on obliterating this kingdom from the earth. At times it seems he has almost succeeded… as he did that day at Calvary. (We are smiling at this now, aren’t we?)
…Beloved saints of the Most High—the ones Daniel in another of his visions saw taking the kingdom, Dan. 7,18—let us not be slow learners ourselves. Let us walk in the wisdom of God. Let us take up our own cross, and follow Jesus. I confess… I myself have been such a slow learner in this area. Even so, I continue to take my place as a disciple at the feet of Jesus. For, wherever the saints of the Most High are taking up their cross and following Jesus, are standing true in their troubles, are fighting the good fight of faith, are fighting the Lamb’s war, are seeking to overcome evil with good, are walking in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit… this is the fellowship of the “kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ”—and the increase of His everlasting kingdom is inevitable.
And God has a surprise in store. The hour is at hand when this kingdom shall “come”—shall be openly manifested in great fullness. When, and where, shall it stop? Never, apparently.
Daniel saw this mountain filling the whole earth. Isaiah saw a day when its increase would cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11.9).
A Mending Feast 