Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Friday, April 17, 2009 12:41:22 PM
What are we to say to those who deny the everlasting dominion of Jesus Christ? Take this comment from Reformation Man blog as an example…
“Jesus has two comings. The first one when he came as a suffering servant and the second one is when he will come to rule. Until his second coming, we are commanded to imitate him in his first coming.”
Under this view the rule of law would be unknown among men and there would be no American republic. Thank God that the colonial Christians had another view. Their view was that Jesus Christ had all authority in heaven and earth, and as the ruler of nations He had commanded His people to go forth and make disciples of ALL the NATIONS…
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen [Matthew 28:18-20].
Jesus made this statement after the resurrection and before the ascension. What do we know of the ascension? He was taken up into heaven in a cloud and then what. What is He doing until His return?
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” [Acts 1:9-11]
This language reminds us of the vision of the Ancient of Days given to the prophet Daniel. Note that ‘One like the Son of Man’ COMES to the Ancient of Days with the clouds of heaven…
“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed” [Daniel 7:13-14]
John in Revelation uses language similar to Daniel 7 as if he was quoting the prophet in fulfillment of the prophecy…
‘John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen’ [Revelation 1:4-6].
Now, the all important question that concerns us in the New Covenant: What scene is recorded for us in Revelation 5 and for what purpose?
Christian, will you read the passage and consider that John is describing the exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven after His ascension, and he does this for our encouragement? This will change your view of Jesus Christ. His dominion is an everlasting dominion and His kingdom is the eternal kingdom. Consider that Revelation 5 is the fulfillment of Daniel 7.
Yes! We wait for the Day of Revelation when all men shall bow the knee and confess the Name, as it is written, ‘Christ must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet’ [1 Corinthians 15:25].
In Revelation 6:2 we see Him on the white horse going forth to conquer. He has been at the work now for 2 millennium. For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool”’ [Mark 12:36].
We need not wait for His kingdom and His dominion. Christ is Lord now [Acts 2:36] and He is building His kingdom now according to His good pleasure for the glory of His grace [Ephesians 1].