Lord and Messiah

The New Testament applies messianic promises from the Psalms to Christ's present reign. He is the Lord and our Messiah!

Since his Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Jesus has reigned as absolute Lord over the Earth, indeed, over the Cosmos. He is seated on David's Messianic Throne. The Messiah 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.

[Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash]

Not only is he the “King of kings,” but every man, woman, and child redeemed by his blood becomes a member of his “Kingdom of Priests.” They reign with him, only those who “follow the Lamb wherever he goes” overcome the Devil in the same manner that he did - sacrificial service for his Father’s Kingdom:

• “They overcame the Dragon by the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and because they loved not their lives until death” – (Revelation 12:11).

• “Jesus Christ, the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the Dead, and the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth. Unto him who loves us, and loosed us from our sins through his blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father… He that overcomes, I will grant him to sit with me on my Throne, even as I overcame and sat with my Father on his throne… the Lamb will overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings, and they also will overcome who are with him, called and chosen and faithful”  - (Revelation 1:5-6, 3:21, 17:14).

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,” though his brief epiphany vanished when Jesus explained what his Messianic calling meant, Suffering and Death.

As the Messiah of Israel, Jesus must “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 his exaltation, he would become the ‘Suffering Servant of the LORD’ and endure abuse and violent death at the hands of unrighteous men - (Matthew 16:13-28, Isaiah 53:1-12).

Following his Resurrection, God exalted Christ and gave him the “name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, of things in Heaven and things on Earth and things under the Earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” He now summons his disciples to proclaim his message and lordship on the Earth - “To all nations.” His “Good News” of salvation is open to all men because he, the Crucified One and Redeemer of humanity, is Lord of all things - (Philippians 2:9-11).

On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus promised that some disciples would not die until they saw the “Son of Man come into his Kingdom.” His words alluded to the vision of the Book of Daniel that portrayed the receipt of the Kingdom by the figure known as the “Son of Man” - (Daniel 7:13-14).

Only after his Death and Resurrection did Jesus receive “All authority in Heaven and on Earth.” This he attained through suffering and death when he “gave his life as a ransom for many.” His declaration as recorded in Matthew echoes 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.”

According to Christ’s words spoken before his Ascension, this messianic prophecy was fulfilled in his life, death, and resurrection. Already he has dominion and possesses the “Nations of the Earth.” He is, therefore, the “Ruler of the Kings of the Earth” whether present political powers understand this or not.

HIS PRIESTLY KINGDOM

Because he has absolute authority, he sends his disciples to proclaim his Gospel and Lordship to the “uttermost parts of the Earth.” That is how we as his disciples participate in his reign. Because of his obedient death, God made him “BOTH Messiah and Lord, Jesus Christ, whom you crucified!”– (Acts 2:36).

He is not waiting for any future event before he is appointed the Lord of all. He is Christ the King and Lord over all things in the present – (Ephesians 1:20-22).

The men and women who “follow him wherever he goes” proclaim his Rulership and Salvation to the Nations of the Earth, including kings and other political and national leaders. All men are called to submit to his sovereignty and receive his salvation while time remains before the final judgment. All men who submit to his lordship and embrace his message receive the forgiveness of sins and join his “Kingdom of Priests” - (Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 1:5-6).

Thus, the Man from Nazareth has become the only true “Emperor” who reigns supreme over the Earth rather than Caesar or other pretenders to sovereignty over humanity, including kings, princes, dictators, prime ministers, parliaments, and presidents. They hold office at the discretion of Christ the King, Christus Rex.

Jesus is the “Lamb with Seven Horns and Seven Eyes,” an image that points to his absolute power and limitless knowledge. Nothing is beyond his authority, including “Death and Hades.”

Because he redeemed men and women by his blood “from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation,” Christ alone is worthy of “ALL power, riches, wisdom, might, honor, glory, and blessing.” Our Redeemer and Savior, the “Lamb who was slain,” is the one who now sits on the Divine Throne as our King – (Revelation 1:17-20, 5:5-14).

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SEE ALSO:

• 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)