Kingdom Disciples

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.

Humanity is divided into two, and only two, groups, the followers of the Lamb and the devotees of the Beast . In the  Book of Revelation , every man either “ Tabernacles in Heaven ” or is numbered among the “ Inhabitants of the Earth .” The terms are not geographical or spatial but reflect the leader served by each group. Men either belong to “ Heaven ” or the “ Earth .” Those who elect to follow the Lamb “ Tabernacle in Heaven ,” but the “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” choose to submit to the “ Dragon ” and consequently await a grim fate.

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.

When certain “ super-apostles ” began undermining his authority, the Apostle Paul warned the Assembly in Corinth not to heed anyone who “ proclaimed another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or a different spirit, or a different Gospel .” He pointed to the same Jesus that he first proclaimed, the “ Crucified Messiah ,” the Jesus who is the measuring rod against which all other messianic claimants must be evaluated.

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.