The Increase of Christ's Government

When verse 7 speaks about “the increase of Christ's government and peace, and its having no end”, it cannot mean that the Lord Jesus Christ will come to have a greater power of sovereignty over people's lives than He presently does; or that He has come to have, since His resurrection. He now has “all power and authority in heaven and earth.” So I conclude that the increase of His government and peace must be in relation to His rule in the lives of each one of His Elect, and also in the progress which His kingdom makes among the nations of the world at certain points in the History of Redemption as the Elect are gathered in through the preaching of the gospel. This is how I want to approach this subject this afternoon. I want us to look first of all at the Father's work in relation to the increase of Christ's government. Then, 2ndly, I would like to look at the Son's work as the Prince of Peace in establishing His own rule over His Church. And then finally, I would like to look at the Spirit's work in relation to bringing these good things about. There is much that could be said on these subjects, but I will try to be very concise and just give you an overview, or a taste of what is being spoken of here.