Christus Rex

The New Testament applies messianic and royal promises from the Psalms to Christ’s present reign. He alone is, present tense, Lord and Messiah!

Since his Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, Jesus has reigned as absolute Lord over the Earth. He is seated on the Messianic Throne where he reigns supreme from “Mount Zion” as promised by the God of Israel. Because of his “obedience until death,” Christ is the “Ruler of the Kings of the Earth” who possesses “all authority in Heaven and on Earth.” His sovereignty knows no bounds.

Jesus reigns now, his Kingdom is a present reality. He will return at the end of the age, not to establish his Kingdom, but to consummate it when he overthrows the “last enemy, Death,” gathers his elect, and judges the nations – (Matthew 24:31, 25:31-46, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).

[Cross Photo by Daniil Silantev 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, though those who “follow the Lamb wherever he goes” overcome the Devil and reign with Jesus on his Father’s throne in the same manner that he did – By sacrificial service:

• “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 that his Messianic calling meant Suffering and Death for the benefit of others.

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 became the ‘Suffering Servant of Yahweh’ and endured death at the hands of unrighteous men - (Matthew 16:13-28, Isaiah 53:1-12).

Following his Resurrection and Ascension, 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.”

This same Messiah now summons his disciples to proclaim his message and lordship throughout the Earth: “To all nations, to the uttermost parts of the Earth” - (Acts 1:6-9, Philippians 2:9-11).

The “Good News” of the salvation achieved by Jesus is open to all men because he, the Crucified One, is Lord of all things. “Let all the House of Israel know that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” - (Acts 2:36).

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,” for friends and enemies alike – (Romans 5:10).

Christ’s declaration as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew echoes the Messianic prophecy of the Second Psalm:

• “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”- (Psalm 2:7-8).

According to Christ’s own words, this 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.” The “Slain Lamb” is the “King of kings,” Lord and Messiah whether his Church understands this or not.

HIS PRIESTLY KINGDOM

Because he has absolute authority, he sends us to proclaim his Gospel, the “Word of the Cross,” and his Lordship to the “ends of the Earth.” That is how we participate in his reign and function as his “kingdom of priests” – (1 Corinthians 1:18, 15:3-9, 1 Peter 2:5-10, Revelation 1:4-6, 3:21, 5:9-10).

Jesus is not waiting for any future event before he is appointed Lord of all. He is Christ the King and Lord over all things in the present. The scriptures are clear and consistent. He has been exalted already to reign from God’s throne because of his faithful obedience unto death:

• “Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and caused him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and he put all things in subjection under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church” – (Ephesians 1:20-22).

• “But he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God, henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet” - (Hebrews 10:12).

• “Looking away unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” - (Hebrews 12:2).

Everyone is called to submit to his sovereignty and receive his salvation while time remains before the final judgment. Everyone who does so will receive the forgiveness of sins and join his “Kingdom of Priests” - (Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 1:5-6).

The Man from Nazareth has become the only true “Emperor” who reigns supreme over the Earth, not Caesar or other messianic pretenders, including kings, princes, dictators, prime ministers, parliaments, and presidents. They hold office only at the discretion of Christ the King. Only Jesus is our “Lord and Messiah.

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SEE ALSO:

• The Ruler of Kings - (The faithful witness, Jesus, now reigns supreme over the Kings of the Earth and even over his enemies, and he is shepherding the nations)

• The Ongoing Revolt - (The Second Psalm is a key messianic passage applied to Jesus in the New Testament. When were its predictions fulfilled?)

• Shepherd of the Nations - (Jesus is the promised King from the line of David who is shepherding the nations to redemption and residency in New Jerusalem – Revelation 12:5)

• The Shepherd King - (The Lamb’s reign commenced with his death and resurrection, and since then, he has been shepherding the nations toward New Jerusalem)