HenryWSC 102

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 102

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Must we acknowledge our heavenly Father’s kingdom? Yes: The Lord is king for ever and ever,
Ps. 10:16
. And must we admire it? Yes: we must speak of the glory of his kingdom,
Ps. 145:11
.Must we own him to be our King? Yes: Thou art my king, O God,
Ps. 44:4
. Must we heartily wish well to his kingdom? Yes: Seek ye first the kingdom of God,
Matt. 6:33
.
Has Satan a kingdom in opposition to God’s kingdom? Yes: for he is the prince of this world,
John 12:31
. Does he rule where sin rules? Yes: for he works in the children of disobedience,
Eph. 2:2
. Must we pray that that kingdom may be destroyed? Yes: The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan, even the Lord that has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee,
Zech. 3:2
. Must we pray that the dominion of sin may be broken? Yes: O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,
Ps. 7:9
. And that the power of the church’s enemies may be crushed? Yes: So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord,
Judg. 5:31
. And their policies blasted? Yes: Lord turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness,
2 Sam. 15:31
. And their projects defeated? Yes: O my God, make them like a wheel,
Ps. 83:13
.
Have we reason to hope that Satan’s kingdom shall be destroyed in the hearts of believers Yes: For the God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly,
Rom. 16:20
. And that it shall be destroyed in the world? Yes: For I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven,
Luke 10:18
. So destroyed that it shall not destroy the church? Yes: for the church is built upon a rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,
Matt. 16:18
.
Is the kingdom of Christ our Father’s kingdom? Yes: I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion,
Ps. 2:6
. Must we pray that that may be advanced? Yes: Prayer shall be made for him continually,
Ps. 72:15
. That we and others may be brought into it? Yes: That Christ may dwell in your heart by faith,
Eph. 3:17
. And kept in it? Yes: That we may be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Thess. 5:23
.
Are we to pray for converting grace? Yes: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned,
Jer. 31:18
. And that others may partake of that grace? Yes: That sinners may be converted unto thee,
Ps. 51:13
. Are we to pray for confirming grace? Yes: That God would comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work,
2 Thess. 2:17
. Are we to pray for the strengthening of faith? Yes: Lord, increase our faith,
Luke 17:5
. And the increase of love? Yes: This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more,
Phil. 1:9
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Are we to pray for the advancement of the kingdom of light? Yes: O send out thy light and thy truth,
Ps. 43:3
. And the kingdom of holiness? Yes: The God of peace sanctify you wholly,
1 Thess. 5:23
. And the kingdom of love? Yes: That they all may be one,
John 17:21
. Must we pray for the sending forth of ministers in order hereunto? Yes: Pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send forth labourers into his harvest,
Matt. 9:38
. And for the presence of God with them? Yes: that utterance may be given to them,
Eph. 6:19
.
Are we to pray for the prosperity of the church? Yes: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
Ps. 122:6
. And for the welfare of all who belong to it? Yes: Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee,
Ps. 70:4
. And for the comfort of all good Christians? Yes: Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity,
Eph. 6:24
. Must we pray for the enlargement of the church? Yes: My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved,
Rom. 10:1
. And for the reformation of it? Yes: Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts,
Ps. 80:19
. And for the defence of it? Yes: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem,
Ps. 51:18
. And for the deliverance of it? Yes: Command deliverances for Jacob,
Ps. 44:4
.
May we pray in faith for the advancement and continuance of Christ’s kingdom? Yes; For of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,
Isa. 9:7
. And have we reason to triumph in this? Yes: Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,
Rev. 19:6
.
Is the kingdom of glory yet to come Yes: When the mystery of God shall be finished,
Rev. 10:7
. Are we to pray that that may be hastened? Yes: Looking for, and hastening unto, the coming of the day of God,
2 Pet. 3:12
. Are we to desire our own removal to that glory at death? Yes: Desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven,
2 Cor. 5:2
. Are we to pray that we may be ready for it? Yes: Watch therefore, and pray always,
Luke 21:36
. And then that it may be hastened? Yes: Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
Luke 2:29
. Are we to pray for Christ’s second coming at the end of time? Yes: Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus,
Rev. 22:20
.
HenryWSC 102