The Throne of Majesty
By Christopher Hendrix
Leaders lead, rulers rule, and governors govern. While the nation, circumstance, and situation clarifies what exercising authority looks like, the Christian doesn’t blindly live to the Kingship of Jesus. His authority is real, tangible, and applicable. Not to mention, Scripture interfuses Jesus’ Kingship throughout its pages. Here are just a few to ponder on:
In Genesis 1:26, God created humanity and assigned the role of dominion and rule. The authority given by God derived from bearing the image of God. The center of this assignment focused on God’s glory and spreading His name upon all the Earth. In the image of God, mankind ought to have ruled in alignment with all of the Triune God’s attributes, including order. Order assumes structure and hierarchy, so this naturally existed in the beginning. Christ as King fulfills this mandate through His church. The second Adam accomplished what the first Adam did not. He birthed a people that will propagate His name and glory.
Genesis 3:1–7 detailed the fall and man’s shirking of responsibility. The order of creation was reversed, as an animal—backed by Satan—questioned the Word of God and tempted the woman to do likewise. Then, the woman, being deceived, questioned the Word and sinned, proceeding to tempt the man to do also. The narrative culminated as the man did not abide by God’s Word and committed sin. Instead of taking dominion and rulership, the first Adam abdicated his role and corrupted all of humanity. The second Adam exercises His dominion and rulership in perfection. He is without sin, yet became sin on the behalf of His people.
Deuteronomy 17:14–20 showed the specific rule of God’s covenantal people through the role of the King. Specific commands were given in which Christ fulfilled. Similar to not having a foreign ruler, God Incarnate was a man like us. Indeed, he was more human than us since He was sinless. In relation to not multiplying horses, He did not come to usher a kingdom that expands through war and conquest. Finally, He was not given over to covetousness, nor even took a wife or wealth to Himself. As the reigning King, He rules perfectly according to all the Law. He fulfills the law of the Kings.
2 Sam. 7:1–17 describes the Davidic covenant in which Jesus fulfills. He descended in the line of David and currently rules all. The established throne endures forever through Jesus and His rule. Isaiah 9:7, Daniel 7:14, Luke 1:33, Matthew 21, and Matthew 28:17–20 all point to His authority over all things. Psalm 72 also depicts the fulfillment of David’s coronation Psalm of Solomon in Jesus.
John 18:36, John 19:11, and 1 Cor. 15:24–28 describe the rule as it is now, or what is commonly called ‘the already.’ His kingdom consists of the invisible church, made up of believers who have been spiritually regenerated. These believers engage the world through spiritual warfare. Matthew 16:18 describe this warfare as the gates—made for defense—of hell are under attack. Our form of armory is given in places like Ephesians 6:10–20. The local church equips the believers to live according to truth through Word and Sacrament. As believers in Christ work out their lives according to the spiritual equipping from ministers, then the enemies of God are brought into subjection by Christ. In our daily war against the flesh, the world, and Satan, Christ is bringing these enemies in various ways to subjection under Him. In the ‘not-yet,’ all enemies are brought under Him.
In the future, Jesus will come again for His Second Coming. At this time, He will put the final enemy under Him, which is death. Revelation 19 tells of His Coming and His final conquering of His enemies. His throne is shown to endure in this passage as those who refuse to bow will acknowledge the reality of Jesus’ Kingship.
In light of these truths, let each Christian live as if Christ is sitting on a throne, passing commands through written pronouncements, and bidding all to submit to Him. Why? Because He has! Our individual life purpose is to untreasure ourselves, and treasure the glory of the King.