“If Christ is the rightful king of the world, why does He not come and reign in righteousness? Many have pondered this question, and it is often asked. During His earthly ministry many attempts were made to induce Him to start an insurrection and accept the crown. Many saw the advantages that would belong to a nation whose king could control nature, perform miracles, heal the sick, and even raise the dead. In time of famine He could multiply the loaves and fishes. But Jesus rejected force and would have nothing to do with limited authority. His kingdom must be based on love and harmony with the principles of righteousness. His mission was to bring a lost world back into harmony with the rest of God’s universe. Only then would He rule the earth in righteousness.

. . . The kingdom of Christ will be built on love, not force. There will be no draftees in His army and no aliens among His citizens. He will raise the dead who in their lifetime chose Him as their King and Lord. He will change those who love Him from mortal to immortal in the twinkling of an eye.”

—“Christ–The Hope of the World” by Leonard C. Lee, Message, July 1963