Kingdom Disciples

Christ’s reign from the Messianic Throne began following his Death, Resurrection, and Exaltation to God’s presence – Psalms 110:1. The New Testament links Christ’s enthronement to his Resurrection and subsequent Exaltation by applying key Messianic texts to his life. He qualified to reign from God’s “ right hand ” because of his “ obedience until death, even death on the Cross .” This was confirmed when God raised him from the dead and seated him “ at His right hand ” where he now rules over the Universe.

The New Testament applies messianic promises from the Psalms to the present reign of Jesus. He is CHRIST THE KING ! Since his Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Jesus has reigned as absolute sovereign over the Earth, indeed, over the Cosmos. He is seated on the Messianic Throne of David and rules from “ Mount Zion ” as promised. Because of his “ obedience until death ,” Christ is the “ Ruler of the Kings of the Earth .” Before his Ascension, he declared, “ I have all authority in Heaven and on Earth .”  His present sovereignty is limitless.

Christ’s sovereignty is based on his Death and Resurrection, the immovable foundation of his present reign in the Book of Revelation . The sacrifice and consequent exaltation of Jesus are prominent themes in the Book of Revelation . God’s plan to redeem humanity and His creation through His Son is unveiled in its visions and images. Christ’s Death, Resurrection, and Enthronement have implemented this Redemptive Plan. His present reign is the result of his sacrificial death. Jesus is the “ Lamb who is worthy ” to receive all power and authority.

Jesus, the Faithful Witness, now reigns supreme over the Kings of the Earth, and he is shepherding the nations to the Holy City of New Jerusalem . Jesus is called the “ Ruler of the Kings of the Earth ” in the Prologue of  Revelation . This declaration is made in the  present tense  since his sovereignty over the Earth is based on his Death and Resurrection. He does not rule by hereditary right, economic power, or military might, but because of his redeeming death. The slain “ Lamb ” is the one who sits on the Throne. His authority extends even over “ Death and Hades .”

The conspiracy by the Earth’s kings to unseat the Messiah is applied in the New Testament to the plot to destroy Jesus – Psalm 2:1-6. The Second Psalm is a key passage applied to Jesus multiple times in the New Testament. When were its predictions fulfilled, and is the Messiah reigning now on David’s Throne? Is the world still waiting for his enthronement at a future date? What about the “ revolt ” of nations and kings against the Son of God? Is it a prediction of a coming war between Jesus and earthly governments - (Psalm 2:1-6)?

The “ Son ” portrayed in the twelfth chapter of the  Book of Revelation  is the Messianic figure of the  Second Psalm  destined by God to “ Shepherd the Nations .” Following his enthronement, Heaven declared, “ Now is come the Kingdom of God and the authority of His Messiah .” His reign began following his “ faithful testimony ” in death and his victory through resurrection, the “ firstborn of the dead .”

Following his baptism, the voice from Heaven identified Jesus as God’s Son and the ‘Suffering Servant of the LORD’ . The promises of God are fulfilled  in Jesus of Nazareth,   the Son of God sent to redeem Israel and “ shepherd the nations .” Peter, for example, confirmed he was the “ Messiah ” but failed to understand how he would undertake that role as the ‘ Servant of Yahweh ’ who would “ bear the sins of many .” Christ’s identity and mission were revealed in his death on the Roman Cross.

The  Gospel of Matthew  presents Jesus as the “ Son of David .” In his life and death, he demonstrated what it meant to be the King of Israel. This last designation was linked traditionally to the House of David; but in Matthew, that understanding of the Messiah is altered in unexpected ways. The Greater “ Son of David ” is more than the Ruler of Israel or King over the Nations, for he is the Messiah of a radically different kind, the “ Servant of Yahweh .”

Christ’s present reign began with his exaltation to the Messianic Throne following his Death and Resurrection – Psalms 110:1. The New Testament links Christ’s enthronement to his Resurrection and Ascension by applying key Messianic texts to his life. He qualified to reign from God’s “ right hand ” because of his “ obedience unto death .” This was confirmed when God raised him from the dead and seated him “ at His right hand ” where he now rules over the Universe.

Jesus has reigned as Sovereign over the Earth since his Death and Resurrection, already he is seated on the Messianic Throne. Because of his obedience, he is the “ Ruler of the Kings of the Earth .” Before his Ascension, he declared that God had bestowed all authority on him - “ In Heaven and on Earth .” Thus, his authority is without limits and a present reality.

The Lamb’s reign commenced following his Death and Resurrection. Since then, he has been shepherding the nations toward New Jerusalem . The  Book of Revelation  assures the beleaguered congregations of Asia that Jesus reigns and has events firmly in hand despite appearances. His sovereignty is based on his past Death and Resurrection. It is absolute, extending even over “ Death and Hades .” His Resurrection from the dead marked the start of his reign from the Messianic Throne.

According to the Psalmist, the anointed “ Son ” would reign “ on Mount Zion… my holy mount .” As attested by the New Testament, that king is Jesus of Nazareth. His reign over the Earth began following his Resurrection and Ascension. Ever since he has been extending his sovereignty by sending his envoys to the “ uttermost parts of the Earth ” to announce his Gospel to the nations.

At the end of his journey, his destination was the Temple in the center of the city.  The next several stories prepare the reader for his final days, A full third of Mark’s gospel account concerns the events of that week that culminate in his death and resurrection. All that preceded his arrival in the city was moving inexorably forward to his arrest, trial, and execution in the city of David and the prophets.