Tom Mount – November 24, 2024

 

Scripture reading: Philippians 2:5-11

 

Introduction

  • Today is the final Sunday of the Pentecost season and the Church year.
  • Christ the King Sunday. But when we say Christ is King, what do we mean?

 

  1. Jesus reigns as King right now as a man in the intermediate heaven
  • “Right now” – The Present Age between our Lord’s first and second appearances.
  • “As a man” – the Son, as a man, did not become king of the world until after his ascension. As God, the Son has always been “king” by virtue of being God. He is the Creator and Lord from the beginning (John 1:1-3). He sustains everything in existence (Col 1:17; Heb 1:3). Furthermore, angels incessantly worship him (e.g., Isa 6:1-4). And the saints of both OT and NT adored him (Isa 6:1-5; John 12:41; e.g. John 20:28). But as man, Jesus did not become king until after his incarnation, death, resurrection and ascension. It was always God’s intent for humans to rule over the earth (Gen 1:26-28; Ps 8:3-8; Ps 115:16).
  • “Intermediate heaven” – the current residence of God, unfallen (elect) spiritual beings and the spirits of deceased, redeemed humans (Rev 6:9-11). In contrast to the final “heaven and earth” (Rev 21:1-4).
  • At his ascension, he was authoritatively coronated king by God the Father and the court of heaven (Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:1-3; cf. Dan 7:13-14).
  • At the present time, Jesus is king of the earth in absentia (physical but not actual).
  • As king, does this mean everything that happens is his will? Evil free will agents: humans (Mt 23:37) and spiritual powers. Satan is the “god” of this world (2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2).
  • Jesus “reigns” on earth indirectly through his Spirit and angels and especially within and among the lives of his earthly subjects who are yielded to him, praying for his will to be done, using the power of the Holy Spirit and authority of Christ to help build his kingdom. We are his formal ambassadors here, endowed with the plenipotentiary authority of King Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to represent him and accomplish his purposes through the Gospel, love, good deeds, miracles, healings, prophesy, other gifts of the Spirit. Prayer is key (Mt 6:10)!
  • Right now, we are reigning with him spiritually (Eph 1:19b-21; 2:6).
  • So, King Jesus reigns right now, recognized everywhere except among nonbelievers on earth. That’s why not putting one’s faith in Jesus is called disobedience (2 Thess 1:8).

 

  1. Jesus will reign in the future over a restored earth
  • At his second “coming” or parousia, Jesus will return to earth to finalize his kingdom. He will come with great glory, “in flaming fire,” “the trumpet of God,” “a cry of command” and the “voice of an archangel” (2 Thess 1:8; 1 Thess 4:16; Rev 1:7). He will be accompanied by “the armies of heaven” consisting of both mighty angels and deceased saints, whose spirits are currently with the Lord and who will receive resurrected, glorified bodies at his return (Mt 25:31; 1 Thess 3:13; 4:14-16; 2 Thess 1:7; Rev 19:14).
  • Believers who are alive at the time will rejoice, be transfigured and “caught up” to “meet him in the air,” then escort him back to earth (apantesis, 1 Thess 4:16-17; cf. Matt 24:31; 1 Cor 15:51-52; Phil 3:20-21; Col 3:4). Unbelievers, on the other hand, will wail and be terrified (Matt 24:30; Zech 12:10-14; Rev 6:16-17). On this great “Day of the Lord,” Jesus will punish “earth dwellers” who reject God and hate what is good (Isa 13:9-11; Zep 1:14-16; 1 Cor 5:5; 15:24-26; Col 3:5-6; 1 Thess 5:3,9; 2 Thess 1:5-9; 1 Ptr 1:5; 2 Ptr 2:9-10; Rev 19:11-21).
  • Jesus’ reign will result in the elimination of all evil, death and sin and usher in perfect shalom (Rev 21:1-22:5). We will reign with him over this restored earth (Rev 2:26-27; 4:9-10)!

 

Summary

 

Jesus is reigning now                                  Jesus will reign in the future

 

In the intermediate heaven                            On a renewed “heaven and earth”

Largely invisible                                              Very visible

Saints co-reign spiritually                               Saints co-reign physically

Method: Gospel and prayer                           Method: just administrative policies

Partial obedience of the world                       Total obedience of the world

His enemies are being subdued                     His enemies are removed and quarantined

Good and bad things occur                            Only good things happen

Lasts a short time                                           Lasts forever!

 

Takeaways

 

  1. To what degree are you exercising Christ’s lordship right now? Are you engaged in spiritual warfare every day, pushing against the kingdom of darkness, promoting the kingdom of God? Is Jesus king of your finances, spare time, love life, free thoughts, habits and every other aspect of your life?

 

  1. Are you setting your eyes on what awaits you in the world to come? Are you saving up treasures in heaven? Or is your heart more excited about your new car, your new house, your new phone than it is the blessings of eternal life?