Lord over All

Jesus has reigned as the sole sovereign over the Earth since his death, resurrection, and ascension. Already he sits on the Messianic Throne of David reigning from “Mount Zion.” Because of his obedience “unto death,” God installed him as the “Ruler of the Kings of the Earth.” Before his ascension, Jesus declared that God had granted him all authority. His sovereignty is without limits - (Matthew 28:18-20).

In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” However, Peter’s brief insight vanished once the Lord explained what his calling meant.

[Photo by Benjaminrobyn Jespersen on Unsplash]

To be the Davidic Messiah, Jesus would “go to Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed,” though God would resurrect him on the third day. Before exaltation and kingship, he would become the Suffering Servant of Yahweh described in the Book of Isaiah - (Matthew 16:13-28, Isaiah 53:1-12).

Before his enthronement, he suffered unjustly at the hands of unrighteous men, including the priestly authorities of Jerusalem and the representative of the World Empire, Rome.

Both then and now, Jesus summons his disciples to follow this same path by denying themselves and “taking up the cross” daily in obedience and self-sacrificial service for his Kingdom and his people, and discipleship often includes unjust suffering. Being persecuted while proclaiming his message is how his disciple participates in his reign.

Jesus promised that some of his disciples would not die until they saw the “Son of man coming in his Kingdom,” a clause that alluded to a vision in the Book of Daniel that portrayed the receipt of the Kingdom by the “Son of Man” figure:

• “I continued looking in the visions of the night, when, behold, with the clouds of the heavens, one like a son of man was coming, and to the Ancient of days he approached, and before him, they brought him near; and to him were given dominion and dignity and kingship, that all peoples, races, and tongues unto him should do service, his dominion was an everlasting dominion ” – (Daniel 7:13-14).

However, it was only after his Death and Resurrection that Jesus announced his receipt of “all authority in Heaven and on Earth,” which he attained through suffering and death, not despite them.

As the resurrected and enthroned Messiah, he possesses this all-encompassing sovereignty both in heaven and on earth. His declaration also echoed the Messianic prophecy of the Second Psalm:

• (Psalm 2:7-8) – “Let me tell of a decree, Yahweh said to me, You are my son. I, this day, have begotten you. Ask of me and let me give nations as your inheritance, and as your possession, the ends of the earth.”

LORD OVER ALL

His possession of absolute authority is why Jesus now commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel and his lordship to all THE nations - To the “ends of the earth.” Because of his faithfulness until death, God raised him from the dead and made him “both Messiah and Lord” – (Acts 2:36, Ephesians 1:20-22).

His followers become his envoys who proclaim his Lordship over and Salvation for humanity. All men are called to submit to him while time remains before the coming judgment of the nations. All who do so will receive the forgiveness of sins and become members of his realm - (Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 1:5-6).

Thus, Jesus has become the one true “Emperor” who reigns over the Earth rather than Caesar or any other pretender to divine sovereignty, including kings, princes, dictators, prime ministers, and presidents. Moreover, he attained this exalted position by “pouring out his soul unto death” rather than conquering and slaying his enemies.

He is the “Lamb with seven horns and seven eyes,” an image that points to his complete power and knowledge. He is not waiting to receive sovereignty at some future date, he has it now. There is nothing that is beyond the reach of the Risen Christ, including “Death and Hades” – (Revelation 1:18).

[Photo by Xavier von Erlach on Unsplash]

Anyone who rejects the Gospel announced by Jesus and his heralds defies his sovereignty and gives allegiance to the “nations that rage” against Yahweh’s Messiah, especially the “Dragon” and his earthly representative, the “Beast from the Sea” - (Psalm 2:1-2, Revelation 13:1-18).

Those men and women who do give absolute allegiance to Jesus and his domain become members of his “Kingdom of Priests” and rule and reign with the “Son of Man” over the nations of the Earth as they proclaim his Gospel message to every inhabited corner of the planet. It is the proclamation of the Crucified Messiah that is God’s “power and wisdom,” not military, economic, or political might.

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RELATED POSTS:

• The Suffering Servant - (Disciples are summoned to adopt the same mind that Jesus had when he poured out his life unto death for the sake of others – Philippians 2:5-11)

• Servant of the Lord - (At his baptism in the Jordan, the voice from heaven identified Jesus as the Son of God and the Servant of Yahweh)

• Son of Man - (The one like a Son of Man in Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation as the Son of Man and his authority to reign)